Reflection

To an extent, I am confident that I have successfully incorporated all 12 touchstones of good teaching in the unit that I presented for Module 7. Through close examination of my teaching practices, I am able to identify each of these touchstones and explain how they relate to the project that my students completed. I employed a backwards design approach that not only aligned with the 12 touchstones but also with the state standards and previously negotiated classroom requirements. This approach allowed me to accommodate the diverse learning styles of my students.

In this reflection, I will focus on Item 11 which emphasizes the mastery of content. My Drawing and Painting 2 students explored the unknown realm of fantasy and surrealism through the use of carefully selected visuals, readings, and artistic tutorials. The project was designed to encourage their curiosity and deepen their understanding of the topic. As a result, the students demonstrated a high level of engagement and interest in their work, with 100% participation rate.

However, if given the opportunity to revise the unit, I would invest more time in the writing aspect. While the objective of the project included the importance of articulating their concept, I did not give enough attention to the writing process. As an art teacher, I tend to focus on the making process and sometimes overlook the critical role that writing plays in helping viewers understand the concept behind the artwork. Therefore, in the future, I would dedicate more time to ensuring that my students have the skills and tools necessary to express their ideas effectively through writing.

To gauge my students' understanding of surrealism and the unconscious, I administered a pre-assessment quiz that consisted of five questions. As we delved deeper into these topics, it became apparent that my students had grasped the concepts, as evidenced by the exceptional artwork and writing that they produced. I have amassed over 110 examples of student work, but in this brief reflection, I will concentrate on eight students. Specifically, I will discuss four students who demonstrated outstanding execution of their projects and four students who excelled in the writing component of the assignment.

The first group of students showcased excellent artistic skills and executed their projects with precision and creativity. Their work exhibited a deep understanding of the surrealism and the unconscious, and it was evident that they had thoroughly engaged with the course material. These students were able to apply the concepts and techniques that they had learned to create works of art that were both visually stunning and thematically rich.

The second group of students demonstrated exceptional writing skills, as they were able to articulate their ideas with clarity and precision. Their writing revealed a nuanced understanding of the course material and demonstrated their ability to connect the concepts of surrealism and the unconscious to broader cultural and historical contexts. These students were able to use their writing to further enhance their artwork, providing a deeper understanding of the concepts they explored.

As a means of providing visual support for my unit and showcasing student data, I have included samples of work from the eight students that were discussed earlier.

Please enjoy these examples!