Note: To protect the privacy of our members, e-mail addresses have been removed from the archived messages. As a result, some links may be broken.
Ask for parent ownership in assessment
Mon, 8 Jan 1996 22:46:25 -0600
- Next message: BRELYN: "Art Appreciation/History Texts"
- Previous message: TrailRunrr: "Art Curriculum"
As one who doesn't work directly in schools with young children, I
hesitate to make suggestions. However, we discussed an idea in our "Art
for Children" class that might work in some situations. We were looking at
some very impressive art work produced by children in a local nursery
school when this idea came up for discussion. I think this could work in
lower elementary grades as well, at least in some schools. Those of you
teaching young children may have some ideas and/or corrections to
contribute.
The idea is for teachers to ask parents of young children to take the
responsibility to keep their child's school art work in a portfolio and
bring it in to the parent/teacher conferences. At the conferences, the
teacher helps the parents understand how art is helping the development of
the child.
RATIONALE:
1) It stresses the importance of parent involvement in setting a positive
tone about school work. In the act of being responsible for saving and
filing the work, it is hoped that parents will take more ownership in the
child's learning. By starting with the youngest children we are nurturing
parents at a time when they are most likely to be forming their parenting
skills and habits.
2) It provides a setting where the child gets to explain the work to the
parent(s) when it is brought home.
3) The focus of the parent/teacher conference povides a setting for
parents to learn from the teacher about the reasons art is done by
children. Many parents have misconceptions about why we teach art. They
don't realize the developmental benefits. They may see it as a product
more than as a chance for their child to developing thinking, analyzing,
and expression skills. Sending notes home with the work, explaining the
objectives and asking the parents to ask the child to tell about the work
would also help, but the parent/teacher conference can provide a teachable
moment for the parent.
3) It can stress the value of growth and progress over time through
repeated practice, rather then dependending on quick or magic results.
4) If the parents are impressed by our efforts, we become more essential
in the view of administrators and school baords.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marvin Bartel, Ed.D.
Art Department Office Phone: 219.535.7592 (has voice mail)
Studio Phone: 219.533.0171 (sorry, no machine here)
Goshen College Fax:219.535.7660 please include my name (shared fax)
Goshen, IN 46526 Internet: marvinpb
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You can't never know how to do it before you never did it before."
from a young boy working with clay the first time
- Next message: BRELYN: "Art Appreciation/History Texts"
- Previous message: TrailRunrr: "Art Curriculum"