Critiques

Critiques is the one thing I've always dread doing... But I know it is necessary with students. Our reading assignment for this week covered two articles about how to use critiques in the K-12 classroom. Nancy House, the author of " Using critiques in the K-12 classroom" stated some of the purposes of having a critique with students. It provides students and the instructors with: a chance to evaluate work, an assessment of fulfillment of project objectives, practice for practice, a means for developing critical awareness, learning from everyone and gives students a focus. Building vocabulary is also another reason, and a reason for them to use the vocabulary words they have learned previously.

I think a good way for students to open up and let go of the embarrassment of stating what they feel or see is to go around the room and ask the students to say something about someones work. It could be what they notice, what they like and why, if they don't understand something or even a criticism. Then the students can talk about their own project. I think it's important to build with this as the year goes on. This process can be done many ways: to have a written critique rather than oral about their reaction to the work or to answer questions provided. Another way could be to have students follow vocabulary index cards to help them practice words related to art, that way they might be encouraged to speak up with the words in front of them. There are many ways to do this, and it is important for the teacher to know what that specific class is most comfortable with. Most importantly, there needs to be a balance of interaction between the teacher and the students.