Motivation to Change to a Choice-Based Classroom

Over the last several years, I have read many articles and heard inspiring stories from fellow Art Teachers about the benefits of a Choice-Based Art classroom.  In this type of classroom students are encouraged and treated as artists.  Students will develop and learn skills that will prepare them for whatever future lies ahead.  Since all this sounded exciting, I created more opportunities to allow students the freedom of choice, but never had the courage to make the change completely.

All that changed when I recently read the Monthly Mentor, a National Art Education Association Blog, by Marilyn Stewart called the 20-year test.  This is an excerpt from-adult-person understands as a result of her or his time with you and your art program. 
This adult shopper—your ex-student—is not likely to be working as an artist when you meet.  However, regardless of what your student from the past is doing with her or his life, think about what you would want this person to understand—deeply—about art and our experiences with art.  
If you have a minute to do this, write it d her post:

Whenever I talk about curriculum, I talk about what I call “The 20-Year Test.”  Here’s how it goes:

Imagine that you are in the produce section of your local market, twenty years from now.  Another shopper sees you and comes over to speak, saying, “I remember you!  You were my art teacher twenty years ago."

This actually happens, by the way. 

Okay, so I want you think about what you want to know—when you smile back at this student of yours from long ago—what you want to know that this nowown: Twenty years from now, I want my students to understand _____________________. 


It got me thinking.....what do I really want to my students to know and remember from their time in my classroom.  Here is what I came up with:

1.  To be able to understand and appreciate art.  My students are growing up in a very visual culture.  They not only need to understand the visual world around them, but be able to appreciate what they are seeing.

2. To feel that they can do anything; including art.  So many times I hear people say that they cannot even draw a straight line.  So what, use a ruler.  Art is so much more than that and once students understand this art becomes a tool for idea making, communication, an expression of self-identity, and so much more.

3.  To develop skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.  Through out their day my students are told what to do and how they should do it.  I want to help them become independent thinkers where they can make their own choices and work out the problems that they may encounter along the way.


After considering how I currently teach and what I would like my students to remember about the art experience I decided it was time for a change in my teaching.  Choice-Based Art Education seemed like perfect choice.  


So here we go.......My students and are just about ready to take off on an artistic journey.  While there may be some rough roads ahead as we make the change, I know that good things will be heading our way as well!