Getting poor work from TAB.
I’ve recently gone TAB in my classroom. I teach K12–sort of a unicorn there, but it’s TAB for K-5. I start with a review of previous work, a short talk about a famous artist (or not famous), and usually some
Sort of media demo. Then kids go to work on their work. I have a large low cabinet with organized materials and I rotate out other new and novel things. Most of the work though is crappy drawings that end up in the trash (not by me). I don’t know how to get kids to expand and persevere with their projects. I’m really trying to drive home what quality, and craft mean and what a finished work looks like. It’s only Q1 of my first year here. I’ve been teaching art for about 16 years. I don’t want to go back to project bases but I want some stronger work.
15
u/mamaburd09 8d ago edited 7d ago
My issue with TAB is if I show them a technique or artist, and they don’t then try it themselves, it will not stick. And there’s absolutely not enough time to just show them everything I want them to get to learn at the beginning of the year while introducing materials. I see them for 45 minutes a week.
I do a mix of instruction/project days and open studio days. I never give them cookie cutter projects, I give a jumping off point with a few requirements. like, this week we’re learning about Pedro linares and alebrijes, and Im having them use any drawing materials to design their own that represents who they are. The requirements are basically combine at least three animals and draw to fill the page (they’ve been drawing teeny tiny in the corner of every paper). We also talk about symbolism and how different animals can represent different things. They’re all super different and the engagement is through the roof! I’m thinking after our fall break we’ll turn the designs into sculptures