Standard D

Critical thinking and problem solving are integral in the art classroom. Students are given basic directions on how to complete a project and the rest is up to them to decide. This freedom allows students to come up with their own ideas and work through problems that may arise. Since their artwork is unique to them, the problems they encounter must be solved by them. Art in the upper grades provides opportunities to problem solve with new materials and deal with feedback. In order to be an artist one must be able to take advice and criticism and use it to solve the problems they are having with their work. I think the best way to support critical thinking in the classroom is to provide assignments that challenge the students to think on their own. These projects have no right answer and they allow students to move beyond black and white thinking. I also think it is important to ask students questions to get them thinking about the choices they make with the art they create. As an art teacher it is important to push students to improve their work in terms of quality and the ideas that they have.