Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Identity Crisis

Tore a self portrait to distort it and now it kinda creeps me out!
Lately I feel like I've been having an identity crisis! I mentioned in a previous post that I've felt pulled toward TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) but haven't made the leap. This is partly because I don't know exactly if it would fly in my district and partly because there are practical issues I haven't figured out yet. There is some controversy within Art Education and not all Art teachers can agree on what our main goal should be and how to achieve it. I feel wishy-washy.

I haven't posted much lately because I haven't been super excited about my most recently completed lessons. I fell into trying to stick with a more traditional style and do the sorts of lessons that are more similar to my PLC. There is nothing wrong with how the other K-6 Art teachers in my district teach, they are all wonderful educators, I just feel my philosophy shifting.

So, while I ruminate on all of this, here's my "in the meantime plan". I always feel better when I have a plan.
    Engaging Learners Through Artmaking: Choice-Based Art Education in the Classroom
  • Keep asking questions and finding answers. TAB teachers seem to be enthusiastic and willing to answer questions without judging. Utilize resources to learn more.
  • Order some TAB books- especially Engaging Learners Through Artmaking: Choice-Based Art Education in the Classroom by Katherine M. Douglas and Diane B. Jaquith
  • Find more TAB blogs to follow!
  • Talk to one of my principals about a trial period with TAB. Maybe try it for a semester and evaluate? 
  • Find out what the new state standards for Visual Arts will look like.
  • Find compromises. Best of both worlds?
  • Quit worrying about being traditional, what everyone else is doing, and how they're doing it. Do what feels right within the structure. Stretch beyond DBAE and incorporate more choices.
  • If it's a "have-to" project, follow up with more freedom.
  • Give choices in materials when subject matter is predetermined or choices in subject matter when materials are predetermined.
  • Work on a tentative plan for stepping into TAB or at least a modified version. Consider how to set up classroom as a studio.

7 comments:

  1. I don't know much about TAB but it certainly is an appealing approach to teaching art. There are quite a few components that I like and think should be implemented in art when we can. A while back I did a post on teaching styles and a lady named Kathy included a few links in her comment. I don't want to clog your comment section with links, but I'll include a website that she recommended. http://teachingforartisticbehavior.org/
    Go with your gut and if the way you are teaching isn't working, change it. Can't wait to see how or if you make a transition!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, I've gotten a lot of information from the TAB website (and their Yahoo group). I also remember the post you're talking about. :)

      Delete
  2. Just remember, questioning your methods is the only way to grow and improve, and growing pains are certain to come along with the process. There's never going to be a time when everyone agrees on the intention of art education, or art for that matter, so just ride it out and keep putting your strengths first.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Hope! I would much rather question what I'm doing than just keep doing the same thing over and over without reflection. I mentioned part of my identity crisis in a paper for my grad class and the professor said I'm being hard on myself. Really, I'm just trying to be objective!

      Delete
  3. I have sort of, kind of made the leap to TAB this year. I have held off on opening some of my centers for fear that I won't be able to control it all. The students are so much more engaged when I let them choose. It is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I smiled at your post as I went through this exact dilemma after a NAEA conference a few years ago. I was able to switch to TAB for one grade level... it gave me a taste of how it would work. I can't say that I kept all of it but I definitely improved my teaching by adding aspects of choice to my lessons. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  5. love you Katie for trailblazing. I think you got it hen you said try the best of both worlds. Recently I created centers. Kindergarteners can choose a center when they finish. The lesson sometimes ends up on the centers shelf for further practice. Cool right! Good investigating I want to check back here to see how it goes.

    ReplyDelete