Formative and Summative Assessment

This week we just started our new quarter. The students are working on their assignments in class. I observe a lot of them working. Some of the formative assessment questions I am asking myself is 1. Are they staying on task? 2. Do they understand the project and are they progressing well? 3. Do they have questions? 4. Are they using problem solving skills? 5. Are they using their imaginations? This is just observations that I am taking in when talking with the students and walking around the classroom. Another question would be who needs extra time? I have not written down any research yet, but I could make a grid of these questions and compare to how many kids I have in the class. Midway through the project we will do some critiquing to get a better handle on how they are progressing and where they can improve. Critiquing we will do as a class and a formative assessment. I will have the kids use post its I think, because last time I tried that they enjoyed it. Once this project gets further along I will have more to report:)

Reflection on independent student management

I had a wonderful time with my Studio 2 kids this last quarter. We refocused the class to work on being more like a professional artist. Needing to show your work in a public setting, creating commissioned work for a teacher/client, challenging themselves, artist statements and reflections. It was 75% successful. Most kids were very open to challenge and motivated. We all set goals to get their work into shows and contests, but I had a couple that did not challenge themselves as much or as motivated. It was hard to grade things at times. I would have them do sets of groups of work. We would also have a tentative deadline for due dates. It worked well, but needs more structure. We did have a nice process of discuss work, create work, critique, artist statement and reflection. I did try to push them to the next level and make items that are solely theirs and not internet resources. This was very difficult for some. Lots to think about.

Steam Video

This would be amazing if we could incorporate this into students everyday life. Art helps with the design portion and being able to take your creative and imaginative ideas an be able to put them on paper. Wouldn't be amazing if you classes all worked together? I love when the student says I was having so much fun I didn't know I was learning. That is one of my favorite things about teaching. It can be fun to learn. This is also great for the middle school level because they can get the opportunity to try new things and understand how all these classes work together. If you didn't require the students to try them all they would never understand how they work together.

Welcome!

Welcome!

I am an art teacher at Byron High School in Byron, MN.  I am currently getting my Masters at Saint Mary's University in Rochester, MN.  It has been a great experience so far.  There are 3 art teachers in the group and the class ranges from teachers K-12 in a variety of different subjects.  This creates a nice community to work with face to face once a month and the rest of the work we do online.  Almost like a flipped classroom.  I have a 2 year old son at home so this is the best fit for me to be able to further my education.  I am also lucky that my coworker is doing the program with me along with another Byron district teacher.  Oh the college days of study groups and homework.  I have enjoyed every bit of it so far:)