In a message dated 1/31/05 6:54:06 PM, marciadotcom@yahoo.com writes:
<< You have to understand that grading a student down for something that is
out of the student's ability (craftsmanship for example: some kids just can NOT
color as carefully as you want, no matter how hard they try.. it is a motor
skill problem) can really turn a child off from art. >>
To play devil's advocate....there are kids who are just not good at math and
really get turned off because they don't do well and get graded
down...unfortunately, that is what happens. Again, so play the other side....why should we
be giving kids credit because they try hard. I am sure there are many
students who try really hard at math or writing, or science but do not do well, they
do not get credit for effort. (well not much). This is one of the reasons
visual art is seen as not a "real subject"...if we can just decide someone has
worked hard and throw the assessment out the window...then what are we really
saying about the discipline of visual arts?
Now, do I believe any of what I just said....not really...but I think it is
closer to the perception of reality than not. Not our reality...but the
reality of public education and the place visual art has in public education. Sad
but true!
