How has your Planning Form (Big Idea/ Inquiry Question) [embedded above] changed in the classroom so far this year? What have students added to the inquiry?

Early on in the year, we would create the activities that we wanted the students to work on. The art would use materials that we already had within our space. As the semester continued, the students would create their own art pieces without our directions. We would give them a theme, but they knew when the art supply doors opened, their creative juices would flow. They would take old paper scraps, toilet paper rolls and just create something new and amazing!

What are the specific school needs identified by your group in the December PD? How will you use your Big Idea/ Inquiry Question to address them? Please be as specific as possible.

By December, we began to receive an influx of English Language Learners. We had to make sure that we planned and executed our projects in a way that they could easily be followed even after translations were given. All the students continued to become more comfortable in being creative with no boundaries or limtations. They knew when they arrived in our class that they would be allowed to just create. Our ELL students dove right in! They were easily able to let us know their art needs and they were able to create some unique pieces. 

Below, share photos and/or videos of select class activities. Specify what students are engaging with and learning (artistically, academically, and/or SEL), in reference to your Big Idea/ Inquiry Question. You may add different blocks from the right-hand side menu.

How did students respond to their involvement in the Perspective(s) exhibition? This may include: artmaking, curation, visiting CAPE Family Days or Teen Night, discussing their experience, or other.

The students are always thrilled when they see their pieces on the exhibition walls. They assisted us in what pieces they wanted to share, which made them feel more connected to the exhibition. They did love seeing their birds and bird houses hanging from the windows. 

What skills did students leave your class with?

Post COVID, students have lost their abilities to just be creative. They want structure and to be told exactly what to do. The students in our class, have gained back that lost creativity and use of their imagination! They have learned that art does not always need to be structured, that it does not have limitations. They have become more open to using their imaginations and creating pieces that they may not have thought they could create. 

Show evidence of this learning through photos and/or videos of select class activities. Specify what students are engaging with and learning (artistically, academically, and/or SEL), in reference to your Big Idea/ Inquiry Question. You may add different blocks from the right-hand side menu.