The Success of "TAB"/Choice-Based Art

TAB: Teaching for Artistic Behavior

-This way of teaching guides/supports students and allows them to be more creative.
-Students get excited about an idea or project first, and then the teacher can teach skills.
-The teacher teaches skills, and the students choose the materials and ideas.
-The teacher and students work together, artist to artist.
-Parents must be educated about the process when teaching with TAB.
-Students may be sitting, standing, or using tables or easels.
-Every student does a different project.
-The work is developmental.
-The room must be divided up into centers/studios/sections.
-You must have containers for storing art.
-Students will earn thinking and creativity skills.
-The teacher is also a learner.

-TAB must include routines, authentic choice, reflection, and assessment.
     -Create routines that students know.
     -Listen like "The Thinker."
     -Color-code the studio.
     -Students must remain in their area.
     -Utilize assessment booklets.
     -Be consistent.
     -Keep it simple.
     -Consider a clean up song.
     -Students should be in a specific position after clean up.

-Each area/studio must have its own routine.
     -Start with a few materials out and add as you go.
     -Label things so students can easily replace all materials during clean up.
   
-Idea: Consider having a Whisper Studio or Area
-Students work independently like an artist.
-One center/studio/area should be for research.
-Scaffold kindergarten art class to prepare them for choice.
-You must practice skills for at least 2 months before starting choice.
-Students choose their own big ideas.

-Studio Habits
     -Develop craft
     -Engage & Persist.
     -Envision.
     -Express.
     -Observe.
     -Reflect.
     -Stretch & Explore.
     -Understand the Art World.

-Assessment
     -Reflect.
     -Celebrate.
     -Utilize artifact booklets.

-Idea: Consider blogging lessons so students can go back to them.
-Idea: Add in mini lessons throughout the year that take 5 or 10 minutes.
-Idea: Create a whole-school project.

-Artifact Booklets
     -1st Day: Drawing Assessment, Cutting Assessment, Personal Logo
     -2nd Step each Year:  Practice the Skills of Each Studio/Center
     -Plan a page for Projects, then a checklist and self-assessment.

-Clean Up Idea:  Utilize the teacher's name.  Since my last name is Gordon, I might want my students to leave their area "Gordon Good" or "Gordon Great."

-Words of Wisdom
     -"Art Talk or No Talk:
     -"Do the Right Thing when No One is Looking"

-Expectations:
     -Trust the students, but if students break the teacher's trust, they must have a consequence.

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