Critiques in the Elementary Classroom

Gabrielle DaniellElementary Art TeacherFlower Hill Elementary

My Process

• Analyze the critiques in my own classroom• Research new ideas for critiques in the

elementary classroom• Try them out in my own art class• Report and discuss with you!

(While creating templates and giving them to you)#sharethelove#weareallinthistogether

Primary vs. SecondaryCritiques

Primary• Keep it simple (but

still allow for higher level thinking)

• Keep it fun (or you will lose interest very quickly)

• Be careful of hurt feelings

• Keep it positive

Secondary• Can get into deeper

conversations• Less sensitive to

criticism• More understanding

of the entire critique process

The 4C’s Critique• Craftsmanship – Neatness

• Creativity – Originality

• Composition – Use of Art Elements and Principles of Design

• Content – How well did you follow directions?

The 4C’s CritiqueThe 4 C’s Critique

CraftsmanshipHow neat is the artwork?

CreativityHow interesting is the artwork?

ContentHow well did the student follow directions?

CompositionHow well did the student use the EOA and the POD?

Lets try it!

Criteria for Symmetrical Design Prints•Must be neat (Craftsmanship)•Must be creative and interesting (Creativity)•Must follow all steps and directions of teacher (Content)•Must create radial balance (Composition)•Must use three or more colors (Composition)

Directions for Creating a Symmetrical Print:• Create a design that focuses on one or

more CORNERS• Print design in upper left corner of paper• Rotate design correctly as to leave the

corner design in the middle• Repeat in all four corers of paper• Outline design with black tracer marker• Add color (All squares must repeat the

same colors!)

The Letter Critique• Have the students choose a random name “out of

a hat”. Make sure they do not tell anyone who they have. Display all the artwork so they can walk around looking at every one (including the name they picked). Then they write an anonymous letter to the artist critiquing their artwork. After, they turn in the letters to the teacher, and she reads them out loud while sharing the artwork.

The Sentence Starter Critique• One thing I like about this artwork

is___________________.• One thing I would change about this

artwork is___________.• This artwork reminds me

of_________________.• I wonder what the artist was thinking when

he made_______.• My favorite part of this artwork

is___________.• If this was my artwork I would____________.

The “Art Sandwich” Critique

• Put students in pairs• Give each student am “Art Sandwich”

worksheet• Have them exchange artworks and

write about them using the art sandwich template.• Share

The “Art Sandwich” Critique

The “Frame. House, Money” Critique• Frame: Which piece would you put in a museum?• House: Which piece would you hang in your

house?• Money: Which piece would you sell?

Frame

Money

House

Anticipated issues from the experts (you):

What issues did I come across?

1. Some kids artwork had NO squares 2. For “difficult” classes, getting them to walk around “freely” without playing can be challenging.3. Getting them to use art vocabulary and higher level thinking when discussing the artworks.4. Some kids are very low on writing and had a hard time with the writing pieces of the critiques.

How do we solve these issues?

Questions?

Critiques you'd like to share