Art Talk
Description
What Is It?
Art Talk is a strategy that pairs observation and communication skills through open-ended, neutral questioning. In this creative teaching strategy, we use complex and intriguing images that engage our curiosity.
Why Use It?
This art-looking strategy invites multiple interpretations backed up by evidence from the image, prior knowledge, or life experience. The conversation in Art Talk invites the evolution of individual and collective thinking over time as the group shares ideas and insights.
Instructional Steps:
Give students instructions to capture their first impressions when they see the image.
Show the image.
Lead an open-ended conversation that is:
Neutral
Evidence-based (ask students the reasons behind their thinking)
Scaffolded, by asking questions about descriptions, analysis, synthesis, and personal connection.
Ask students what wonderings they have.
Reveal the title of the image. Ask what other contexts, understandings, and relationships they may have now, knowing the title.
Relate to content.
Reflect on the conversation.
What stood out to you from our conversation?
How did your thinking change during the conversation?
What are you still curious about?
Quick Tips
Remind students they will not agree with everyone’s interpretations, and that is normal - and exciting - given the different life experiences and personal connections present in the room.
Remain neutral. As hard as it is, refrain from comments, including praise. Even a comment such as “interesting idea” may prevent a student from contributing a contrasting idea that would have provided new information, for fear that the different idea is not interesting.
Did you know?
Use images from textbooks and picture books as a starting place, then explore images on museum websites such as those listed in the Material Selection for Art Talk. We have a number of resources on our internal website.