At this school,I see:
PreK for 30 minutes, every two weeks, all year (1 class of 10 students)
K for 30 minutes, once each week, all year (2 classes of 12 students)
1-5 for 50 minutes, once per week, all year (2 classes per grade,
average of 16 students)
6-8 for 40 minutes, once per week, all year (average of 16 students)
At the school I taught in for the last 5 years, I fought for and got
increased art offerings:
1-8 for 80 minutes, once per week, all year, (1 class per grade,
average of 12 students)
I prefer longer weekly art classes, rather than shorter twice weekly
classes. While the continuity of twice weekly classes would be
advantagous (not to mention less loss due to holidays and snow days), I
have found that the longer weekly classes are preferrable due to the
increased learning time and reduced set-up and clean-up time required.
I feel that the greatest advantage for a class is the class size.
Almost invariably, every small class (10 - 12 students) that I teach is
more productive and is better able to retain and transfer art lesson
concepts than the larger classes, regardless of grade level and
proportion of 'artistically talented' students. Smaller class sizes is
what I'd lobby for, if there was a practical way the classroom teachers
could get their prep period while I saw only half their students at a
time.
Mark
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