Victoria Gutierrez

Professor Ward

Art 133-05

7 September 2017

Unit Paper #1

Identity is an important aspect within our daily lives. We are all creative individuals and

are given the opportunity to express ourselves as a person. According to Walker (2001),

Students too need opportunities to learn about an idea , build an adequate knowledge base for

working with it, examine the idea in the work of other artists, and find personal connections to

the idea (p. 2). The students are considered active builders. They are able to build up their

knowledge by reflecting on their own learning and understanding. Therefore, practicing

constructivism will allow the students to strive towards conceptual change (Ward, 2014). For

example having the students engaged within the classroom discussions regarding a visual art is

an approach that allows the whole class to collaborate their thoughts towards a big idea. The big

idea coincides with the artists concept towards his or her art work. Students are able to sit back

and observe the true meaning of the particular art piece included in the lesson that day.

Incorporating these valuable strategies within my future lessons will better assist the students

towards focusing and understanding the important concepts of each lesson. They may include

essential questions, key concepts, and lesson objectives. The students will be able to gain a

deeper understanding of the lesson once these strategies are integrated within the classroom.

Depending on the subject matter you are teaching, modifications must be made to the lesson.
Allowing the students to ask their own questions, enhancing their critical thinking. There is no

correct answer, but simply giving the students the opportunity to respond using their own opinion

and creativity is what builds up their learning platform.