what is a center?

What is a center? A center is a place where the student can work with various materials and techniques in that art concept. We have several centers that are always open and some that we change out depending if the students are eager to learn something new or if we find them not interested in a particular center. Centers that are always open once they are introduced are: drawing, collage, painting and some form of 3D (construction).

What is usually in a center? Every center has a menu with techniques, processes and materials available. Depending on the school the menus are hanging on the walls or at Jefferson Park They are on folded display boards.  Also in every center there is a resource binder that has artists, ideas, examples, and how- to- manuals. I also add things that are interesting to the students which could be anything from dinosaurs in the drawing center to examples of wire sculptures in the construction center.  I understand the students have moments of being overwhelmed and their creativity stifled but I have noticed, with the art program transitioning to a choice based art education program, those moments are far and few.

Why did I choose to transition the art program here at EPG? The answer is very simple, to make art exciting for ALL the students. With a teacher directed program, I found that I always had students who said, "I can't do this" or "I don't like what we are doing". Since transitioning I don't hear those comments anymore. The students are doing those things they are interested in and are advancing in the different centers at their rate and abilities. Sure it is always nice to have 25 artworks that all look alike but I have now found that it isn't important to have everyone draw a cat if they rather draw a dog or a monster truck. 

I have also found that the students are collaborating more in the individual centers. They are asking their peers questions as such: what do you think? How can I make this better? How did you do that? I also see how they are encouraging each other to finish their artwork, problem solve a solution to a problem that came up or encouraging each other to try a technique again if it didn't go so well the first time. Since the transition started I am seeing the students' abilities, their confidence and their independence in the centers are growing. They are feeling more at ease in the art room.

I find it is important to talk to the students and find out what interests them. If I find students are interested in something particular I will try to find a way to make it possible for the student to foster their creativity and make it happen. I love to see my students' creativity blossom and learn all about art and their own abilities. 



Here are a few peeks at the collage centers at the junior high and Jefferson Park:

EPGJH Collage Menu

Jefferson Park Collage Display Board Menu

Resource Binders

Resource Binders

These are some of the resource binders that every school has: