Not all students learn the same. That is why I like to alternate between whole group projects and choice based art centers. I feel that students learn best when they are able to be in charge of how they learn a topic. For example, I will give the class a theme and a variety of materials. The students then get to decide which materials they would like to use in order to learn and show an understanding of the theme. This allows me to facilitate and consult with each student on a more personal level to better serve their needs.
Here are the names of the centers in my art room.
Make and Take- Students make a project and are able to take the project home assuming that it is finished and dry.
Display- These projects may take more than one week to complete and they have a visually pleasing outcome. Students get to take their artwork home after it has been displayed.
Explore then Store- Students explore with various materials to create interesting compositions. A photo can be taken of the artwork and displayed on this website for viewing. Then the materials are taken apart and put away to be used over and over again.
Group- Multiple students/classes work on one project. Once finished, these artworks will be raffled or autioned off. Students, staff, or families can win these.
Skill- Students practice certain techniques and skills before applying them to a project. This allows students to develop their skills and gain confidence.