Students in grades 3 and 4 displayed their finished puppets on the art tables, and walked around the room to look at each others work. Next,we talked about complements, and how artists deserve specific complements that let them know what they did well and could repeat again on another piece.
Some things the students brainstormed they could write about were: the way the puppet was put together or the way it moves (engineering), the details of the puppet in color and texture, the creativity in character design, and the neatness (craftsmanship). Students then walked around the room and left specific complements on post-its for their peers, next to a particular puppet. The students loved doing this and many of them asked for more and more post-its to write on. One class did not stop for the entire class period, and spent 30 minutes giving complements. At the end of class, students headed back to their seat and read the complements that were left for them. We made sure as a group that every puppet got some feedback. Here are some more pics of the finished puppets. I will post a link to the youtube shadow shows once they are all filmed.
Several weeks ago, 2nd grade students used an "Art Sandwich" as a tool to critique and complement another student's collage illustration.They paired up in class and gave each other two complements and a suggestion for improvement. Compliments are the carbs that keep us working and fuel our efforts, and suggestions are the protein that help us grow as artists and citizens and give us energy over the long haul.
It was very important for students to understand that saying "I like it" or "I think it's good" is a nice thing to say, but does not help the artist understand what about the art piece is strong, and should be tried again.A special thanks to Ms. Kitty, the art teacher at Ravenswood for inventing and sharing the Art Sandwich with me, and so many other things, while I was student teaching!
