Brittany Eisele
Art Educator / Artist
Domain C: Analyzing Student Learning
Student teacher, through knowledge of content pedagogy and skill in delivery instruction, engages students in learning by using a variety of instructional strategies.
"One girl was huffing and puffing during demo, and a lot of times they like to use the excuse that they do not like art, or this is stupid because they are scarred to challenge themselves. Once I get to talk to the student one on one, I find out what they like and relate it to the assignment so they see it in a new light. "
With the curve ball of PSSA testing these past few weeks, I have developed a skill of juggling multiple lessons at a time while trying to work with the weather and making steps towards completing the mural. The testing left me with 19 minute classes jammed into a half day with students who were burnt out and unmotivated to lift a pencil or listen to a teacher speak to them after hours of silent working...I asked my cooperating teacher if I could be running a yarn finger knitting station towards the back of the room. Something that could truly challenge their focus after a morning of testing, but something that I find so stress relieving, for myself and my students, with the repetitive motion of weaving the yarn around your fingers. I had students respond to this activity so well. Boys and girls I have not been able to truly work for me with a smile on their face were pulling on my arms begging to learn how to do it with me.
Student learning was assessed daily through worksheets, exit slips and class discussion. Students recognized the significance to each step in a lesson and knew the expected quality of work from the teacher. The Big Ideas and Daily Goals were visible to the students on their handouts and in presentations.