Engaging Learners Through Artmaking

Book excerpt: This dynamic resource details the philosophy, rationale, and implementation of choice-based authentic art education in elementary and middle schools. To do the work of artists, children need opportunities to behave, think, and perform as artists. The heart of this curriculum is to facilitate independent learning in studio centers designed to support student choices in subject matter and media. The authors address theory, instruction, assessment, and advocacy in a user-friendly format that includes color photos of classroom set-ups and student work, sample demonstrations, and reflections on activities. Book Features: Introduces artistic behaviors that sustain engagement, such as problem finding, innovation, play, representation, collaboration, and more. Provides instructional modes for differentiation, including whole-group, small-group, individual, and peer coaching. Offers management strategies for choice-based learning environments, structuring time, design of studio centers, and exhibition. Illustrates shifts in control from teacher-directed to learner-directed. Highlights statements by children identifying personal relevancy, discovery learning, and reflection. Book jacket.