Category: TAB Classroom Environment

Seesaw and TAB visuals

2/10/2017

TAB classrooms should have visuals posted for students to refer to. Over the past few months, I found that my students were not using the visual aids. I removed all the posters from my room except for the 8 Studio Habits. I just wanted time to rethink visual aids and what would work best for my students.
I knew that I wanted to use technology and Seesaw. After some experimentation, I finally found a solution! I made a Google Slides with the steps.

Think of all the possibilities!
Here is a finished visual aid in my room. It was easy to create. I hung it inside my cabinet near the clay shelf.
Visit the Seesaw Blog to view the images I created for the clay center.

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QR Coding the Classroom

8/7/2016

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I'm ready to make a big jump into QR coding my classroom. I decided to start simple. I wanted to create small explanations on how to use each center. I will use these videos to introduce centers, help new students, and reinforce artistic behaviors with younger students.
I found these plastic frame at Office Depot for $2.00. I bought about 10 of them. I like them because they stand out at the center, and I can easily change them when needed.
I start my year with drawing. So, I made my first video about the drawing center. When students scan in they go straight to this video. I am very excited about the possibilities that QR codes can bring into the TAB art room. I have so many ideas! More to come on this subject.

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Yes, I teach TAB and this is why

8/6/2016

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My books in my home studio.

I have been teaching TAB for over two year now. I remember the day I had the "Ah-ha moment". I was stuck in a rut. I was teaching the same lessons. I struggled to get students to finish projects because of schedule restraints. I could even tell that my students were bored!
I started to do some research online and came across TAB. I was completely intrigued. I knew that TAB would be a great fit for my students and myself. I bought "Engaging Learners Through Artmaking: Choice-Based Art Education in the Classroom" by Katherine M. Douglas and Diane B. Jaquith. This book was a great source to help me get started.
It was a slow slow start! I didn't anticipate how much time it would take for the kids to get the hang of a TAB environment. But, I noticed an immediate change in thinking. It was wonderful to see my students apply their own thinking skills, and not create a project that was a copy of my own! (I added Studio Habits in after the students felt comfortable with TAB. Which my students love the habits! They are easy to understand and universal.)

The most important reason why I teach TAB is because it allows children to create authentic art that is developmentally appropriate. Why should children be expected to copy art that is created by an adult? Or create art that is considered good or cute by an adult? The biggest criticism that I hear is that children won't develop skill that they need. My response: I know that not all of my students will be artist. But, my students get to decide what they are truly passionate about in art and work on those skills. They set their own goals and track their progress. I want my students to do what is developmentally appropriate for them. TAB allows for all students to work at their own level and pace.
My students love it! For the first year, I asked my students everyday if they liked the new class. They told me to never go back to the old way. I can't argue with that!

A students first attempt at stitching.

Same student by the end of the school year.

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Seesaw and TAB visuals

QR Coding the Classroom

Yes, I teach TAB and this is why

Jessica Ruby

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