Middle School Virtual Academy Art Learn. Prepare. Thrive. Spotlight

Press release from Plymouth-Canton Schools:

Teaching Art in a Pandemic Not What You Think

Virtual Academy Middle School Art Teacher Brenda Karinen

Pablo Pocasso once said “Every child is an artist.” The question is, how do you teach a child to be an artist during a pandemic? Middle School Virtual Academy Art Teacher Brenda Karinen says it isn’t as tough as you might think.

Karinen pretty much teaches the unit of art study in the same progression she normally would when students are in the classroom. She begins by introducing students to a topic or theme through Visual Thinking Strategies by examining various works of art. She then works with students to discover the properties of the selected art media through demonstrations and practice.

Karinen says her students are sometimes reluctant to have their webcams on during Zoom class sessions. However, as she works with these young artists on developing technique, she encourages them to earn participation points by angeling their camera toward their works in progress so she can assist in giving tips and suggestions. This mirrors how instruction would look in a classroom setting where she would be able to assist students with their creative/aesthetic processes.

In-person or remote, this art teacher knows how to get the most out of her students. You could say teaching art is her true medium.

See more great examples of student learning at the Learn. Prepare. Thrive. Spotlight page.

https://www.pccsk12.com/departments/teaching-learning/home-learning-highlights

Learn. Prepare. Thrive. Spotlights are also featured on 88.1 The Park!

https://www.881thepark.com/

This press release was produced by the Plymouth-Canton Schools>. The views expressed here are the author’s own.