Checking for Understanding: Incorporating Arts-Integration into a Learning Space

The integration of art in education provides many opportunities for building Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills such as identifying and articulating emotions and building self confidence in learning environments. 

When conducting Arts-Integration projects in the classroom, it is important to check for understanding along the way. One of the best ways to do this is to flip the classroom on its head: the students become the teacher.

After a project is complete, students can formally teach about their artwork to peers and teachers. In doing so, students are encouraged to describe their work in detail- including their artistic choices, the meaning behind their work and the methods used to create the work. Students' level of understanding can be gauged by their retelling of the art skills and vocabulary used while they “teach”.

If time allows, teachers and artists may want to ask students questions about the color, composition or mood of their respective pieces. This is a great way to teach audience etiquette when critiquing and conversing about art. 

When students are able to present and teach about their artwork in a supportive learning environment, they are building self-esteem and confidence. By the end of it, students should be beaming with pride- meaning, they are shining bright like a diamond!