9/3/2019
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Daniela Curle
|
I have a student with ASD who since school started-August 12th, hasn't participated during art. He usually brings to art class 3 Cds and a torn piece of plastic bag and just stare at them while moving the piece of plastic back and forth on the CDs. During last art class I invited him to come sit at the table with me and his peers-about 6 kids. He agreed and I gave him plasticine. I showed him how to squeeze it to make it soft -I explained that the warmth of a hand makes the plasticine softer, and proceeded by showing how to make coils with it. I also gave him plastic animal molds and showed him how to press the plasticine into the molds to get the animals' inprints.
I was so happy that he finally was able to join the rest of his peers and especially to participate.
I believe that using clay/plasticine really help some of the ASD students with their motor skills, but also being a tactile activity, makes autistic children interested and comfortable with the activity involved. |
9/4/2019
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Daniela Curle
|
This year I have a large group of Autistic students and due to the wide range of their developmental disorder, I use at least 2 different kinds of assessment. I usually keep a portfolio for each student where his/her work is kept. In this manner I can have a better idea if there is academic growth throughout the year. I also provide them with a self-assessment form that they can fill out at the end of each assignment. The form includes self-assessment on craftsmanship, organization and attitude. I discuss with them what is expected with each assignment, and usually students are honest about themselves. They know if they followed directions or not. Some of the autistic students are not able to fill out this form and therefore I just collect their work for me to assess.
I found out that another way to assess autistic students' work is to have a class critique. Many of these students love to talk about their work and get them even more motivated to continue working on a particular project. Sadly, this is not he case for all ASD kids since some of them could be non-verbal. |
9/4/2019
Topic:
Tools And Strategies
Daniela Curle
|
I have used technology with a Smartboard, which is a great interactive tool for all students. If used the right way, it can engage the students both at individual level and for cooperative learning. What do I mean by: "using it the right way"? One of the ways I used it was to draw on the white board, and invite students to do the same. Students with disabilities are usually intrigued by it and love to draw on it using special pens provided, or their fingers. They feel the white board is sort of like a giant cellphone, but also like the "tactile" part of it, and that fact that the screen responds to their action of drawing.
Because it is a multi-media resource, I used the Smartboard to show for example, a work of art, and invited the students to find the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. It is also a great tool to show students videos on for example art techniques and/or "how to" make things. For example, I have showed a video on how crayons are made. Also, you can show videos on artists while they are creating works of art.
There are other ways you can use a Smartboard in the classroom, but the examples I described have been effective in my art class. |