I cannot believe that we have already completed one month of school. Formative assessments are beginning to transition into summative assessments. Feedback from formative assessments plays an important role in identifying areas for improvement and supporting student growth. Students are encouraged to reflect on this feedback and apply it to their work as they progress toward their summative assessments.
To further develop their understanding of Surrealism, students in Grade 7 Art spent the week investigating a Surrealist artwork by an artist of their choice. Using the Look, Identify, Outline, and Describe approach, students are developing their ability to look closely at artworks and make connections between what they observe and the artist’s intended outcome. Students considered the scene depicted, what appears surreal, and the techniques used to create these unusual elements. This activity is also scaffolded to help students develop their understanding of the MYP grading system, which uses a 1–8 point scale.
This week, students in Grade 8 focused on developing their graphite skills by applying different values to 3D forms, such as cubes and spheres, while learning to use their drawing tools correctly. Students also began their photograph analysis by selecting their three strongest photographs and identifying the subject of each photograph, the element or principle of art/design they intended to capture, and how that element or principle is demonstrated within the photograph.
In Grade 10, students developed their selected written memory by incorporating sensory information. After identifying additional writing strategies, students worked in pairs to provide and receive peer feedback. We then explored a series of artists who investigate the concept of memory, using videos to prepare students for Criterion A: Investigation. Students subsequently selected an artwork to investigate further with the goal of analyze the connections between concept, material use, and meaning.