Journal Eleven
November 11, 2019
#GoldNugget
A past experience I have had that shapes my current teaching perspective was my time teaching after school art classes in a few different elementary schools. These lessons were pre-made and provided to me on a monthly basis. Every lesson looked the same, there was an "end product" drawing example I would hang for the class to see and then I had a folder that broke down the drawing into a step-by-step process I would walk my students through. So, essentially, my students were simple mimicking my actions. For example if we were drawing a mountain landscape I would say to them, "Okay now we are going to draw a line that is similar to the top part of a triangle the stretches from the left side of our page to half way through the page, and then do it again until I reach the other side of my paper". Now to anyone else this kind of step-by-step drawing method may seem like a good way to teach drawing, students are able to follow along and once we finish they will have a drawing that is seemingly similar to mine and will feel successful in what they were able to make. My current learning and perspective on teaching tells me otherwise, this type of guided drawing does more harm than good for my students. In order for students to partake in art-making that is meaningful and enriching they have to guide themselves through their own processes. This also means that I cannot create or show them an expected end result because this creates the idea that there is a "right" and "wrong" way of art making which immediately hinders pertinent student learning. In order for students to self guide and learn through their art making processes I have to give them the proper tools, demonstrate proper technique and present them with an elegant problem or prompt to guide their thinking. Then allow students to discover and explore with the tools I have given them. This way, instead of me telling students that the line we draw to create a mountain is similar to the top of a triangle, they will discover things like this for themselves because they had to dig deep and envision that mountain or skyline or whatever it is! This type of learning stays with students as it is self created and impresses upon them so much more than just being told what to do and following suit. In the future I have to be careful not to pass up these special and crucial learning moments for my students. I cannot hand them these teaching/ learning moments because in a sense it's taking away these moments, stealing them if you will. These "ah-ha" moment are special golden nuggets of knowledge that are hidden within students' minds waiting to be found by the only person that can discover them- the student themselves!
My hashtag this week is Golden Nugget my word for the special hidden knowledge that is waiting to be found in students' minds. My art piece this week is of a winding road leading towards a golden sunrise. The road represents the students journey through their own minds or their process of creating. The golden sunrise represents where they will eventually arrive to- the golden nugget of knowledge and understanding they gain through the journey.
My hashtag this week is Golden Nugget my word for the special hidden knowledge that is waiting to be found in students' minds. My art piece this week is of a winding road leading towards a golden sunrise. The road represents the students journey through their own minds or their process of creating. The golden sunrise represents where they will eventually arrive to- the golden nugget of knowledge and understanding they gain through the journey.