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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Second Year TAB Teacher Surfing the Studio Centers

I was so pumped to start my second year as a TAB Teacher.   My first year, I was scared and held back a little. I was nervous that mad chaos would ensue, so I was extra careful to make sure that routines and procedures were in place.  It was magical how students were engaged, on task, creative, natural collaborations would occur and the conversations about art would make my heart beat faster. It was an energetic year, we had visits from administration, the newspaper and even local channel news. I was humbled and proud of my students.

This year is my second year... I have been surfing waves of delight and frustration as I revise, plan and modify our studio centers.  I believe in TAB, I trust that it is a pedagogy that has my students best interest at heart. As a mommy of four, it is how my children learn with their art teacher, Maryellen Picker. I see the excitement they display on days that they have art. They light up when they bring home their creative artworks, and I love seeing the windows into how they think and design.  For my students, I have deeper, more meaningful relationships with them because I see them through their art. I have met up with some wonderful TAB art teachers in the St. Louis area, and I frequent the Midwest TAB-Choice Facebook group for support.




Everyday is new.  To make things go more smoothly in the planning process, I have created this plan sheet.  It is a culmination of different artist statement, reflection forms and other plan sheets that I have seen on pinterest and TAB groups.

I want to share it, in case it may be something that may help you. There are 2 plan sheets, one that integrates elements of art and another that integrate the principles of art. I have provided links to the google documents so that you can print them out.  I have used this recently and have been happy to see how it guides my students thinking.  As I ride the waves and try to balance on my surf board, I may revise again and again, but here is my first draft. Enjoy.







8 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing these beautiful idea sheets!

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    1. Thank you for visiting WildcatsCreate. I am delighted you could use the handouts.

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  2. thanks for sharing these! I was wondering, what do you do with them once the plan is approved. Do you keep them, does the student keep them? Do they stay with the artwork?

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    1. The student keeps them in their sketchbook. I have colleagues that collect them and keep them in plastic binder sleeves. Having the teacher hang on to them prevents projects from falling under the radar at times. When they complete the work, the form gets turned in with the piece. I have reflection forms too and am thinking of creating an abandonment form so that projects don't goto the waste basket. There are 4 types of studio work, skill builders, exploration and practice, WOW and take home. This form is really just for the WOW pieces.

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    2. Can you elaborate on your 4 types of studio work? Specifically "take home". I'm getting back into the art room after a 3 year hiatus and love this for my TAB classroom.

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    3. Hello Amy the Art Teacher, Thank you for visiting WildcatsCreate. I got breakdown of work from Julie Toole. Be sure to connect with the Midwest TAB/Choice group on facebook and you will find plenty of resources. The four types of studio work are how you divide up what kind of work happens in a Choice studio. Students will explore and practice with materials. I had a student that was really enamored with how salt affected watercolor so he spent a few classes just playing and exploring with that watercoloring technique. There will be skill builders where I may teach a skill and all students will be responsible for demonstrating that skill. For example, teaching paint brush care or running stitch in sewing. A WOW piece is a piece of artwork that is gallery ready... it is an original idea, accompanied by an artist statement, and is the child's best work. A take home is just one of those days that a child needs to make a card or decoration. I allow 4 take homes a year and allow only one class for a take home. I hope this helps. Good luck and reach out anytime.

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  3. These are very cool. Thanks, I was looking for a fun way to plan for next year.

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    1. Thank you for visiting WildcatsCreate. I am delighted you could use the handouts. I have gotten to where I am because of the generosity of other art teachers, it feels good to be able to help others.

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