Peer Observation
Today I went to art class. Administrators encouraged teachers to observe one another, and offered class coverage to allow us to see someone else teach. I picked art teacher Andrea Puentes, because I believe her style is similar to my own in many ways, but I have always wanted to learn more about art. Doing so can improve the way I teach graphic design.
The third period class, Pre-AP Art I, was working on plans for a still life drawing. Ms. Puentes gave them several minutes of instruction, tips for how to do a good job, pointers about how to use tools, reminders of their timeline, then let them work. She made a few behavioral redirections, but gave a rationale for them, too (for example, they shouldn’t use their phones because they can’t be drawing at the same time); when two boys tried to hold a conversation during this time, she stopped talking until they stopped.
Once they started to work, the class got really quiet. I call this the “sweet spot” in my own lessons–the moment when everyone knows what to do and is doing it. To help set a mood, Ms. Puentes played music in the background: she asked the class what type of music they would like. I play music sometimes, but I could do it more consistently.
I drew! The task was to create 8 sketches of a large combination of objects in the center of the room, in order to determine a focus for a still life drawing. While my sketches were not as detailed as the students’, I worked seriously for most of the period. I felt inadequate to the task, because I had missed prior instruction. This is probably how students feel when they are new to a class, or return from a prolonged absence. Taking the role of a student gives me chances to develop empathy for them. It’s also interesting to see my students in a different environment. One student who struggles in my class is a very good artist, so she shines in art class: she worked diligently all period, whereas in mine she distracts herself.
Being part of art class was a nice change of pace–a good way to spend my conference period. I wish I knew more about art, but I appreciated the opportunity to learn a little more, and I recognized ways in which a few of the concepts (Rule of Thirds, negative space, etc.) overlap with what I teach in Digital Media.
This sounds like a very helpful class, Ms. Moore. Glad you got to switch it up from the usual 🙂
I was a student in this class and Ms. Puentas is great at being relatable and easy to talk to while also being able to stern and being able to give directions. I was also very impressed by how you worked diligently and finished all 8 sketches in that class period, even though we have had almost all week to complete them.
Neat, you should draw with us more often!
Dang! Was it fun to do that and see how another teacher taught?
Were you able to learn anything form Ms. Puentes
Yes, I liked how she used music during independent work time.