In order to engage students, I choose content which they are able to gain a deep connection with, while simultaneously providing academic challenge. This involves knowing your students and being aware of their interests and hobbies, modelling enthusiasm, introducing the topic at a basic level and then extending the knowledge and skills to provide a challenge.
Year 11 Studio Arts - Street Art unit
In order to provide a learning activity that was current and relevant to the students I taught, I developed a unit which was structured in away that allowed them to interact with the content at a basic level, build on the knowledge, and then apply to their own work. I chose the topic of Street Art, and how that linked to the Olympic games which was occurring at the time.
Initially I introduced the topic as an art issue, allowing students to discover the purpose of the art. They researched and investigated other street artists and as a group, collaboratively developed their own art work. Providing flexibility and choice was key to students engagement with this activity. |