If at first you don't succeed try, try, try again

UFV Program Values - Reflective Practice. TEP believes that educators must engage in reflective practice, the ability to reflect in a thoughtful way on the significance of different teaching situations and on their role in defining a learning environment. Educators must demonstrate self-knowledge by openly identifying personal biases and projections. Reflective practice, guided by the principles of self-evaluation and self-directed learning, is considered the foundation of continuous professional growth.

In my classroom my teacher often took the reins when it came to fine arts so near the end of my practicum this was one of my focuses. I was a touch worried because my students were not as proud of their work as I usually hoped and art was an area where this pride was even less evident. My students often responded well to working with manipulatives and listened exceptionally well to instructions so I thought this will be interesting! Oh boy I had no idea what I was in for. I picked an art lesson focused on perspective and point of view. My students would pick a spring item and do a close up drawing of it to show me the detail. Simple... or so I thought. This was not the case. Even though I had prepared a slide show with examples, brainstormed examples and front loaded them with information and models it did not go well. By the end of the lesson at least 5 students were in tears and I was overwhelmed. I discussed the lesson with my TM and she gave me a few pointers on how I could have improved on instructions. It was then my choice if I wanted to continue with the lesson or if I wanted to redo it. I had to reflect on the situation and how this activity played a huge role on defining the students and my own learning environment. I did not want my students to feel overwhelmed like I did and so I decided to redo the lesson and change my instruction so as to change the learning climate in the room. Once going through the lesson again and explaining and showing them what to do a second time, the learning environment had drastically changed. Not only were there no tears, but students were proud of their work. I was overjoyed and so were they, if that isn't a successful lesson I don't know what is.

Seen above is the finished product!