Weekly Reflection #6

Ross Montgomery
Creating a Positive and Engaging Learning Environment

This week was the 6th Lesson observed at Thompson Valley High School. This

week my students worked diligently on their projects. Both of my classes for

Tuesday had studio workdays. As for classroom management, both classes are self-

driven for the most part. This allows for a positive studio work environment as long

as the students are engaged in their work. Matt Crawford employs a mid-project

silent critique. Students break from studio work and present their projects on their

table. They get their sketchbook out and open to a new page so their classmates can

make remarks, insights, and constructive criticism. It is important for students to

write a remark in multiple sketchbooks, as well as, identify areas in which the

artwork could benefit. This procedure builds relationships in the classroom and

allows for students to reflect on each others work.

My students work very diligently and seem to engage in their project. There

are a few students who dismiss the studio time. It appears to me from my

observations these students who are lacking engagement dont want to do work

during class. Does this have to do with lack of interest in the subject matter? What

are some procedures and management strategies to engage these learners? I got

engagement from these students when we did a final class critique. This could be

that when the grade is truly on the line, engagement and effort will follow? I think

that studio work expectations need to be addressed at the beginning of the

semester. With these studio expectations a studio work grade needs to be reflected
in their final grade. This could be a strategy or procedure that could assist in student

engagement.