Introduction Good educators will take part of strategies and programs to tailor them to their own classrooms. Stimulation/Motivation, Critique, Art Clubs, Classroom Rules, and Field Trip still remain an important way to communicate information in order to develop, implement, reinforce, and maintain my teaching abilities through practical teaching strategies.
Stimulation/Motivation Motivation means willingness of action, especially in behavior, which provides a reason or incentive for doing something. Art teachers are using studio classrooms for making art works with students. Since each individual student has his or her own interest in the art making process teachers need to drive students to motivate what they’re interested in art making objects. There are benefits that motivation provides students with a positive feeling about their art works so that students would be competent; moreover, students could also share their ideas to communicate how they reach to meet their ends in terms of class project.
Critique A critique is an oral or written discussion of art, which can include description, analysis, and interpretation of students’ works of art. One day the instructor asked students a question about the definition of critique. He mentioned that we should hear every voice, and we should provide constructive criticism. It means that we should accept positive feedback and negative feedback with open - minds. There are benefits that critique will provide students with the ability to analyze the work of art. Therefore, critique leads students to think more critically during discussion.
Art Clubs Art club is an after school program at school, and it usually provides students a chance to make detailed art projects and be part of a community of students who are passionate about art. My operating teacher told me that she founded the art club over 10 years ago. She and her students in the art club were also proud of themselves to be a part of the school community and promote the visual arts at their middle school. There are benefits that art club is a way for students to engage in school environment so that students would identify with who they are as students and what they do for their school. Therefore, it is a wonderful way for students to expose their creativity by designing and sharing their works of art with other students and help a school community’s environment aesthetically.
Classroom Rules Classroom rules are guidelines that teachers usually create in classrooms according to their beliefs, and values. There are three things that I still remember from my cooperating teacher’s classroom rules. One is “Come to class on time”; the other rule is “Use polite speech and body language”; and the other is “Sign in for permission to get a restroom pass during class”. I think that those rules are essential for teachers to manage classrooms effectively. There are benefits that classroom rules help the discipline and respect to foster the cause-and-effect relationship between actions and consequences. Therefore, teachers are able to run class smoothly without interference or confusion. Moreover, students will learn how to approach their teachers in an appropriate manner.
Field Trip A field trip is a journey by a group of students to a place away from their normal environment. When I worked as teacher’s assistant at Montclair Art Museum last summer, I met young learners who came and toured the museum with guidance. They would like to share their views culturally and respectfully with guidance and teachers whenever they passed by each piece of art work on display. There are benefits that a field trip is an opportunity for an enriching, educational, entertaining, and hands-on experience for children to feel in the real world. Field trips also enrich students’ cultural experiences through contemplating and understanding various cultures.
Summary Through the journey of teaching strategies, I would like to apply these teaching strategies to work with all types of students in many different situations. Ultimately, I would like my teaching strategies be the greatest gifts that my students will receive, and I would like to be on the road to becoming a successful and wonderful teacher.