Discussion for Assignment 6 by Allison Van Aartsen

I am excited about the prospect of incorporating VTS in my classroom. I don't know what grade level I will be teaching this year, but I know that VTS will work no matter what grade level they are. The reading I have done on this subject have given me hope that all my students would want to participate. I know that some students get caught up in the idea that they should only participate if they have the right answer. The beauty of this is that there is no "right" answer, just observations and interpretations.

The website I have found is http://teachers.mam.org/collection/teaching-with-art/choosing-a-work-of-art/
It is the Milwaukee Art Museum. They have a resource section for teachers that gives tips for choosing a work of art to use in VTS lessons.

Yes, yes and yes.  I could not agree more that the students should not get caught up on looking for one right answer and need to look beyond.  In fact as they listen to peers they might also gain a new perspective and insight.  This is similar to how we are teaching math in my district, in regards to Math Best Practices.  We as teachers need to step back and let the students discuss equitably and without our interference as "an authority on the subject".  Even if their thinking might be incorrect, we need to let them fail and then learn from that experience, that is why I agree that VTS is a great way to build this skill within students.

No matter the age group, VTS works with all ages!  The teacher needs to take charge to be sure the students feel free to voice their viewpoints, perspectives and individual experiences that they bring to the table, when describing a picture that is presented.  Art is objective and subjective.  There are no wrong answers!

I totally agree with you on that students should not get caught up on looking for the RIGHT answer.  There are many RIGHT answers out there and we need to get students to get away from thinking they always have to find the answer the teacher wants.  As long as they can explain their thinking, it is a correct answer in my mind when it comes to art.  I like that you brought up math, we are currently working on not just giving the kids one strategies to use but to use the strategy that makes the most sense to them.