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What is a Teacher Art Work Sample?

Through a Teacher Art Work Sample, or TAWS, an art teacher documents a single art lesson from start to finish.  When creating a TAWS, the two main area’s that are documented are the pre-assessment and post-assessment.

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The pre-assessment is a way to figure out what your students know and helps you determine what area’s in the lesson you need to focus on before you teach it (an example used at the elementary level is shown above). After you perform the pre-assessment, you want to be able to assess each student and be able to group them (Group A, B,C…).  Grouping the students by skill or understanding in the beginning is important because you want to be able to see them improve in the post-assessment.

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Next the lesson is taught by the teacher and should focus on what the students were lacking in the pre-assessment.  Then the teacher gives a demonstration on an art medium, materials, and safety, if needed.  Lastly, before the students begin the guided practice, the teacher should present either goals for the students to reach, a checklist of what is expected (grade depends on), or a rubric (secondary level mainly). See below for an example of a checklist I used at the Elementary level.

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In the post-assessment, or the finished work of art, the students are then grouped again according to the goals/checklist, or in other words, the grade you would give them for the project.  From the pre-assessment, students should show improvement in skills and understandings of the project/medium of art.  In some cases, students do not show improvement. This is a time to reflect on the reasons and document what the causes may be.

An Example of Student work at the Elementary Level:

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The reason for this documentation is to:

1) Reflect on your teaching skills. The results from pre-assessment to post-assessment will tell you if your methods and style of teaching are effective.

2) Have written documentation and examples of children art work for the lesson to put into your teacher portfolio. This is good for you as a teacher to have evidence to show your Principal of your effective teaching!

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At Columbia College Chicago, you will do three TAWS.  One lesson at the elementary level, another lesson at the secondary level, and while student teaching, you will document a unit at the level of your choice.

Sneak Preview of Secondary Level TAWS:

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I am still in the process of teaching my Secondary Level TAWS at my student teaching placement, so look out for my new post on that TAWS soon. Until then, here is a little taste of what I will be teaching! Raccoon Skull drawings with white charcoal pencil and ebony pencil! Yay!