Second Year TAB Teacher Surfing the Studio Centers

I was so pumped to start my second year as a TAB Teacher.   My first year, I was scared and held back a little. I was nervous that mad chaos would ensue, so I was extra careful to make sure that routines and procedures were in place.  It was magical how students were engaged, on task, creative, natural collaborations would occur and the conversations about art would make my heart beat faster. It was an energetic year, we had visits from administration, the newspaper and even local channel news. I was humbled and proud of my students.

This year is my second year... I have been surfing waves of delight and frustration as I revise, plan and modify our studio centers.  I believe in TAB, I trust that it is a pedagogy that has my students best interest at heart. As a mommy of four, it is how my children learn. I see the excitement they display on days that they have art. They light up when they bring home their creative artworks, and I love seeing the windows into how they think and design.  For my students, I have deeper, more meaningful relationships with them because I see them through their art. I have met up with some wonderful TAB art teachers in the St. Louis area, and I frequent the Midwest TAB-Choice Facebook group for support.

Everyday is new.  To make things go more smoothly in the planning process, I have created this plan sheet.  It is a culmination of different artist statement, reflection forms and other plan sheets that I have seen on pinterest and TAB groups.

I want to share it, in case it may be something that may help you. There are 2 plan sheets, one that integrates elements of art and another that integrate the principles of art. I have provided links to the google documents so that you can print them out.  I have used this recently and have been happy to see how it guides my students thinking.  As I ride the waves and try to balance on my surf board, I may revise again and again, but here is my first draft. Enjoy.