The Art Class Curator Podcast

What do you want your students to know? What do you want them to remember from art class next year? What about in 5 or 10 years? In this episode, we’re talking about the power of moments and how to create a curriculum with the big picture in mind.

Introduction

Hello and welcome to The Art Class Curator podcast. I am Cindy Ingram, your host and the founder of Art Class Curator and the Curated Connections Library. We’re here to talk about teaching art with purpose and inspiration from the daily delight to creativity to the messy mishaps that come with being a teacher.

The Power of Moments

I’m reading a fantastic book called The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath, which has inspired many podcast ideas. The book discusses how pivotal moments create lasting memories and changes in our lives.

One chapter discusses community-led total sanitation, where people are educated about sanitation in a way that transforms their understanding and behavior. The facilitator uses nonjudgmental techniques to awaken awareness and promote change.

Application to Teaching

This concept resonates with lesson planning. I believe our role as teachers is to guide students to discover knowledge for themselves rather than simply imparting information. For example, while teaching Renaissance art, I learned it was not just about giving dates and names but anchoring lessons around what students will remember in years to come.

Lesson Planning

When planning lessons, ask: What do I want my students to remember? For instance, with Renaissance art, I wanted them to understand its revolutionary qualities over the Middle Ages rather than just memorizing facts.

Examples of Lessons

  1. Classical Sculpture Sorting Activity:

    • Students receive pictures of classical sculptures and sort them into styles. They write down observations, engage in discussions, and present their reasoning. This active learning approach enhances retention and understanding.

  2. Art Discussions:

    • Employing Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) enables students to explore artworks deeply, allowing them to form personal interpretations.

Conclusion

Overall, lessons should foster confidence and curiosity, preparing students to appreciate and engage with art in meaningful ways. I encourage you to consider the importance of creating impactful moments in your teaching. Thank you for listening to The Art Class Curator Podcast. I hope to see you next week!