My Principles In Depth...

To Educate and Inspire

• Choosing activities that relate to the developmental level and interests of students.
• Using a great variety of materials, techniques and themes in both 2D and 3D.
• Introducing art related vocabulary and concepts
• Modeling curiosity and passion for the subject.
• Creating bridges between the students work and the work of adult artists.
• Drawing context for art projects from the children’s own ideas, feelings, and experiences.
• Providing further context with examples, stories, poems, pictures, nature, music and other art forms.
• Choosing raw materials over secondary,
• Employing fundamental art theories and methods.

To Encourage a Sense of Ownership and Pride in the Students Work

• Hands off their work. As little ‘doing for them’ as possible, and as much encouragement to ‘try it for themselves’ as possible.
• Displaying their work regularly.
• Activities are both challenging and achievable.
• Support and encouragement to finish work.
• Support to work to a higher standard than they believe they can achieve.

To Foster a Sense of Trust in the Classroom

• The use of a ‘learning’, rather than a ‘right verses wrong’ model.
• Giving individual encouragement, assistance and attention.
• Providing a warm, friendly, fun and positive environment.
• There is a structured, familiar format to the class time.
• Physical safety is a priority and risk management strategies are employed.
• Respecting the child’s right to privacy with regard to sharing of themselves or their work with others.
• Allowing time and opportunity for communication and reflection.

To Cater for Differing Learning Styles

• Using a variety of presentation approaches; written, spoken, demonstrative, experiential, visual and 3D samples.

To Encourage Uniqueness in Artistic Expression

• Giving choices and encouraging self direction.
• Affirming experimentation.

To Look for Ways to Improve the Teaching Content and Methods

• Pre -testing out of activities and reviewing after teaching.
• Self review and regular supervision.
• Maintaining written lesson plans and unit plans.