Fourth graders explore art journaling
My teaching philosophy is simple. I believe art is accessible to all, and that the act of making art is not only fun, but builds essential habits of mind and higher order thinking skills fundamental to the growth and success of every person.
Choice and discovery are important factors in my art room, and ties can be drawn to the Reggio Emilia approach to learning. A wide variety of tools and materials are accessible to my art students. A firm believer in the power of art as a tool for expression, I emphasize that each person's approach to mark making is valid and constitutes their personal voice. Realism is a choice, not a requirement. Students build skills through repetition and practice, and based on increasingly difficult age appropriate challenges I pose for them. Challenges build confidence and resilience, and often reveal that art is subjective and that there are many solutions to a problem. Providing parameters and constraints for such challenges teaches resourcefulness and forges sophisticated problem solving skills. As students grow older, they use design thinking skills to communicate more specific messages to, or meet the specific needs of, their audience. My lessons are adaptable to any age group and are designed for student success. And while projects most always result in aesthetically pleasing outcomes, my focus is on process first and foremost.