Reflecting on our learning

Context: Students reflect on their thinking as Artists.

There is nothing I love more than watching other teachers in action. I am always inspired by the little things that they say and the little tricks they do to help motivate and teach students. So it was a real treat when our Principal worked with our PAC to bring in a specialty art teacher, Joanne Howard of Saltwater Fine Arts. This was not Joanne’s first visit to Brooke, but it was the first time I had worked with her.

Joanne provides a selection of lessons for teachers to choose from. The lessons are in different mediums, allowing for a broad selection. I took one look at the painting of our Noble Navigator and knew right away that I wanted my students to learn how to paint Orca in watercolour. It looked tricky and I really wanted to see her in action.

My kids were mesmerized! Throughout the lesson, you could hear “ooohs” and ahhhhs” from my students as they watched orca appear like magic! She walked them through, step by step, encouraging them as they created their own painting of Orca. Some of my students really struggle with a growth mindset so it was fabulous to see them take chances and be free with their brush, even in a scripted situation. Her little tricks of the trade stuck with them and I could hear them coaching each other, and me, days her visit.

 

A sense of pride filled the room and hallway as my students completed their masterpieces. Not only were they delighted by their work, but they were also excited about the new tips they had learned as artists. I decided to capture their enthusiasm by asking them to self reflect on their learning.

Using a spindle whorl design graphic organizer that I created this term, students had an opportunity to reflect on their learning and their ability to think using the competency language that has become ingrained in our classroom. The results were pretty exciting and insightful…

In the words of babes….

“Today I learned it’s good to try something new because you will learn lots that way.” Jack, Grade 2

“Next time I will do my best and forget the rest because it’s important.”

“Today I learned that if you leave the paintbrush in the water the paintbrush will get recked.” Kayla, Grade 3

“During Art I had to think like Salmon when I was painting because I had a problem with the painting being messy.”

During Art I had to think like Raven when I had to think outside of the box.” Lana, Grade 3

 

Context: Students reflect back on their work as architects.

Ms. Landahl’s Grade 2/3 students finished off their exploration of 3D shapes by exploring amazing homes around the world. They watched videos on unique homes and walked through the neighbourhood to help them in their design process. After several fun sessions of constructing homes with glass walls and living roofs, the students reflected on the process and their learning.