TAB Information by Chelsey Scott

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Artistic expression is a fundamental building block of child development. It promotes an innovative way of thinking and cultural understanding that will benefit children for a lifetime. Instead of assigning an art project that requires following a set of instructions, a choice-based art curriculum allows students to devise their own creations.

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Creating personal pieces of art is a process that requires decision-making and risk taking. When children are encouraged to express themselves with art, they develop a sense of innovation, a skill that is highly useful in academia and beyond. Children also fine-tune their basic motor skills and expand their vocabulary in the process of creating and explaining their artistic creations. Exposure to others’ art leads to an awareness and acceptance of other cultures, and ultimately strengthens societal bonds.

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In 2015, I attended an AEM Conference, Art Educators of Minnesota, where I listened to a lecture on TAB. I was not sure exactly where I stood with the idea of a student directed classroom. My first question was 'where does the teacher come in?' I heard a few different people speak about how they ran their class and although I was intrigued, I didn't totally buy into it.

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The truth was that I already ran my class in a similar style where I would teach a lesson and if a student wanted to take that lesson in a different direction I would always say yes. The other elementary art teachers in my district liked many aspects of the choice-based art so they and I started to implement bits and pieces of the style. A full on TAB classroom is set up with many different centers: drawing, painting, collage, etc. At the beginning of the hour students choose which center they want to visit, listen to a five minute mini lesson, then choose if they like the lesson and want to use it or if they want to take their art in a different direction for the hour. This style of classroom takes a lot of planning. I mean a lot, did I say a lot?

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Students may switch centers during the hour or stay at one center for the whole class period. Students may also visit the same center week in week out. These students are known as 'experts' of the center and help others who are unfamiliar. Students helping students is a great way to learn. And the teacher helps in many areas as well. The teacher teaches a lesson, assists with project questions, refills supplies as needed and keeps kids on task. I have found that this style of classroom keeps more kids engaged with far fewer behavior issues than I have had in the past.

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During the last three years I implemented TAB fully into my classroom. I had successes and failures along the way. Then came covid which forced me to change my classroom again last year. After much reflection, I have decided to run my classroom with a hybrid of TAB and traditional teaching. I will teach a traditional mini lesson that is a "Must Do" for the students. Once a student has finished their mini lesson they are free to create on their own. Art is fluid so I will see how this hybrid idea works and make changes as necessary. Here's hoping that this will be a smooth year!

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Thanks,

Angie Haider

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