T.A.B.

In Mrs. Stoll's art class, students are working on Teaching for Artistic Behavior(TAB). The belief behind TAB is that students should learn how to be independent thinkers and decision-makers. If we want our children to be ready for their future, we have to facilitate opportunities for them to develop their own unique ideas. In the knowledge that not all students will want to become artists, this idea of communicating one's own idea is universal in any adult venture.

Top 10 TAB-Related Routines In Our Art Classes:

1. Student-Developed Ideas - In our TAB classroom, each student must develop his or her own ideas for art-making. As we have been practicing TAB for a while now, students are used to this self-driven classroom.

2. Centers - The room is organized into art centers, which are all labeled. As time goes on, students know more about the materials and tools and their locations. Students decide what materials they'd like to use, and they are responsible for getting those items out and using them appropriately.

3. Storage Open To Students - Most of the art room is open for students to get materials out. Many cabinets are labeled on the outside according to the center (Clay Center, Printmaking Center, etc.). When new centers are opened, the procedures for getting out and putting back are all outlined. If we are out of a material, students are great about telling me. We have some off-limits taller closet doors that contain TAG items, personal items (like my coat and bag), and art storage (extra reams of paper, extra batting for sewing). Those off-limits cabinets are labeled with a small "Do Not Enter" sign.

4. Clean Up or Closed - Students know that if a center is not cleaned up properly, then we will have that center closed for the next time they are in the art room. This is on a class-by-class basis.

5. Presentations at the Top of Class - I present new ideas, new artists, new techniques at the beginning of class. Most likely, this is a time to work on standards work (with exit slips, worksheets, etc.)

6. Digital Resources - Students are encouraged to use digital resources. For example, we've used the internet for how to draw something, a pattern for cross-stitching, and YouTube for how to finish a weaving project. We are also starting our work in our Digital Arts Center. Teacher permission and sign-up is mandatory.

7. Peer Collaboration / Help - Students often work together and work in small groups on individual projects. Many students have taken inspiration from others' processes and others' work. There are some times trends in the art room - for a while tracing pictures of cars was cool, then maybe sewing pillows when the Fiber Arts Center opened up.

8. Student Movement in the Room - Students have an assigned seat at the beginning and end of class. During the work time, students can get up to get materials, switch spots with someone, and/or form their own small group to work in. This is a MUST when students are collaborating and/or sharing materials. It's been a long time since I've heard, "Mrs. Stoll, so-and-so's in my spot." Students have been flexible with this!

9. Sign-Up Sheets and Timers - When something is popular and we do not have enough for everyone to be working on it at once, we have sign-up sheets and set a timer. This has come in handy for the Digital Arts Center. Students are awesome about checking the sign-up and resetting the timer.

10. Art Standard Checklist - Each art student has a checklist of the art standards in their orange folder. That way, each student can learn the standards and assess their progress as the year rolls on.