Primary students have been busy creating artwork with a focus on geometric shapes this month. A lot of designing was done in art centers where students had an opportunity to cut, glue, paint, and color to their heart's content. We learned how to divide a square to make two rectangles, and how to divide a rectangle to make two smaller squares. We noticed we could cut diagonally through a square to make two triangles. And that we can carefully trim the corners off a square to make a nice round circle. We are learning how to use the glue pot and the glue brush to apply just the right amount of glue.
Last week we closed down the centers and did a whole class project. We used what we know about geometric shapes to create this beautiful city. It has flags, sky scrapers, people, lamp posts, birds and airplanes. Our reference for drawing buildings was Skyscrapers, by Judith Dupre. Our buildings were designed using crayon on tall white copy paper and then carefully cut out. We'll continue working on our city this week. We need a lot more people and some vehicles to complete the scene.
Hi Barbara, I love your site! From reading this it sounds like you do some choice based teaching (ie centers) for your kinders? I am interested in how you do this as I am hoping to use it more in my teaching.
ReplyDeletedo you do it for all grade levels? I have the same book on Skyscrapers that I have used for a second grade relief sculpture project that I'll post one of these days.
Hello Miss Stringbean! I really love TAB teaching and the center-based approach to art and the kids love it, too. I don't use this approach exclusively because I'm on the cart at one school, and share a room at the other.
ReplyDeleteWith k-2 I set up three tables with 3 different choices. I've tried it a couple of different ways. Here's what works for me. I gather kids on the rug. I explain that they can choose their center, but when the center is full, it's full. They might not get their first choice. I tell them that they must stay in the center they choose for the whole class. I explain what's available at each center. I call names beginning with kids I know will work well independently. Kids announce their choice and move to the center. When the center is full it's closed and not an option until next class.
That's how I do it with the little ones. In every class I have a student or two who needs a lot of support with behavior. I don't give them first choice for centers. I hold them on the rug with me where I can monitor what they're doing. They don't get first choice, but I know I can always squeeze them into a center if it's something the really, really want to do.
Thanks Barbara, I am doing research on the TAB and your tips are very helpful I plan on trying it soon.
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