Gotsch Intermediate: 5th Grade

Mrs. Westrich makes sure that each student that enters her art class has the freedom to create whatever they wish, in many unique ways.

The first classroom that I observed in my September Experience was Mrs. Westrich's art class. In this classroom, 5th grade students were spread apart all over. They were given the ability to work on whatever their hearts desires. Mrs. Westrich said herself,

"The older they get, the more independent the students are allowed to be."

Since she has had these same students for nearly three years, she has taught them all of the basics of art and now trusts them to use everything they have learned to create what they wish. Starting in third grade, students are taught different forms of art and once they reach fifth grade they have the freedom to create in this art class. This classroom invites you to simply create. You want to put everything down and run to your favorite section and create whatever you wish. A painting, a building, sewing a pillow, you name is Mrs. Westrich allows it.

Mrs. Westrich teaches the following kinds of art in her classroom: Fibers, collage, painting, sculpture, and architecture. Lets take a look at what exactly a few of these forms of art are in her classroom.

Collaboration: Movement and Choice

In this class, students are encouraged to collaborate with their peers or even work individually to bring to life their ideas. Movement is highly pushed on these students because they are suppose to go around the classroom in order to explore each 'center' of art. By the time students are in 5th grade, they have the choice as to which 'center' they want to use to create their art.

Painting

Painting is personally my favorite form of art. Students, especially the fifth grades, have the ability to express they ideas and thoughts in all kinds of ways. A lot of students chose the painting form of art because it is one of the easiest the express yourselves in. Students are given aprons, paper, brushes, painting, and other materials so that they have everything necessary to create.

Sculpture

Another popular option in the art classroom was the sculpture corner. Here students had countless amounts of materials and no exact rules of how to use them. They could use the material on the shelf, seen in the bottom left, in whatever way they wished! Creative expression was highly encouraged in Mrs. Westrich's classroom. She wants each of her students to feel like this is a room in which they could walk into and express themselves however they see fit.

Classroom Procedure and Norms

Goals

As soon as you walk into the classroom, the goals are posted on your left for all three grades at Gotsch.

Having goals is an important part in the modern students lives. They need to be motivated to push through challenges in order to reach their goals. Having their goals hung up on the front classroom wall shows the students that it is important, and reminds them what they are learning from being in this classroom.

Plan, Do, Act.

Towards the back of the classroom, three posters are hung on the cabinets that store the students materials. This was a great place to put these reminders because each time a student opens the cabinet they are reminded of what they should be doing in the classroom.

To plan is a great skill for a student to learn at such a young age. Mrs. Westrich hopes that her students will be able to visualize, plan, and produce in her classroom. Once students are able to plan, they must 'do'. Here the teacher pushes the students to try something new outside of the box, which is perfect because she offers many 'centers' in her classroom. Lastly, the students must 'act'. For fifth grades specifically, they must act on what they have learned as third and forth graders at Gotsch. These students now know everything that is offered in this art class, now it is their turn to explore and create without strong instruction.

Plan, Make, Share, Reflect

Students in this art class are pushed to try their best to do and reflect, which is a large characteristic that a modern learner has. Being able to look back at your work and reflect on what you have done, shows that there was learning involved.

Student Work

Students are given the option to share to the class what they have been working on at the end of the class period. Mrs. Westrich does not make this mandatory for all students which is amazing for those students who choose to keep their work private or are too shy to share in front of the whole class.

sharing with peers

Till Next Time

Culture of Learning & Insight

Although we didn't spend a lot of time in each classroom, this classroom made me leave with great new ideas. Giving the students the ability to create on their own terms is amazing. It is teaching the students responsibility, and is also teaching the facilitator trust within his/her classroom. Making sure that each student had the ability to express themselves isn't something we see a lot in art classrooms. This is the perfect example of a modern teacher, working with modern students in a modern classroom: project based learning, student led learning, collaboration skills, and creativity skills.