Every student needs something different
The rationale for a student-centered classroom
More often than not, students shy away from subjects they have yet to have success. Subjects like math, sciences, reading, and physical education can be discouraging for some students. For me, it was spelling. I was constantly told, "You are a poor speller," and "You need to work harder and memorize." I still get a hard time from people of all ages about my spelling. They want me to improve, so they make me feel bad, thinking that will motivate me at 55. Now I say to these unwelcome critics, "Your house must be beautiful with all the correctly spelled words painted on your walls."?
I have met my share of people who, upon hearing I'm an artist or that I taught art, say, "I am terrible at art. I got a C in middle school in art class." I usually say, "Sounds like you had a teacher that measured you against a standard, not a teacher that appreciated you as an individual artist.”
As an art teacher, I let the work my students made and exhibited speak for their progress. Many teachers have told me, "It's easier to do that with art." I don't see it this way. Great, good, and poor science, writing, and math examples exist. Your students' work can have a place in the world, not just a grade book. This kind of student-centered work and assessment will improve student's understanding of their capabilities and grit.?
I never graded on a curve or said a student wasn't up to their grade level. I taught art, a marginalized subject, allowing me to get creative. I let students define what was important to them in their projects and then let them create their work while still reaching the learning goals I set out. Like life, writing, language, history, math, and science are embedded in most projects.??
Here are some examples of assignments that were open enough for all the students to be successful. Open-ended assignments with varied outcomes improve students' understanding of their capabilities and foster wellness.?
I let the students have a voice and agency in the work they created, and that reduced their stress. I lent them my organizational and educational metrics and paid for the supplies.?
In the Calcuilcious Project (Art-Calculus), this student never felt successful in math and thought there was no way for her to do a calculus project. We kept it open enough so she could define algebraic terms using a Kandinsky esque image. This painting was her first mathematical success and gave her the impetus to dive into math and art more.
Learning Goals:
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Write yourself into the Canon of Art History Project (Art, Art History & Humanities)??
The last component of this project was to write yourself into an art history book. The students made art that mattered to them, their subject, their method of creation, and their reason for making it. They commented on the influence of other artists on their work. Some students made traditional artwork. Below, Sarah made a realistic watercolor of a photo she took. Ezra shows how math is beautiful and connected to the traditions of the artist embracing his work.?
Learning Goals:?
1. Use the format of art history to write your art and yourself into the canon of art history.?
2. Use your Method, Subject, and Reason to create art that matters to you.?
If you're concerned about "Student Wellness," their anxiety might stem from having to behave and conform to the teacher or school's ideal of "Good Work." There's a lot of stress when you're forced to be something you're not. When every student has to do the same work and answer the same questions the same way, this could cause a lot of anxiety. I taught for 27 years, and YEAH, it would have been easier if all my students were interested in the subject, at the same level, and performed equally, but that is not realistic. Educators need to reevaluate why everyone needs to be the same. Why is it essential for everybody to get the same answer? Is it because it's necessary, or is it because it's easier that way??
Everyone needs something different. Designing a curriculum where students can be successful, feel successful, and where they are allowed to bring themselves into the work is the right direction. It is not easy coming up with this kind of work and assignments. jeffrobin.com
You could check out my website (free) and see the student-centered projects and animations I made explaining student-centered work. You can DM me for help designing assignments or projects. I am here to help. Jeff Robin