Liz Simpson and I have created a video on two excellent K-6 e-learning tools: Abracadabra and SmARTkids. They are can be used in different KLA(s) as Abracadabra is a literacy resource for Stage 1 and SmARTkids is a resource for visual arts for Stage 1 to Stage 3. I'll describe fore you what are the learning outcomes when SmARTkids is used in the classroom.
Using SmARTkids is an outstanding way to introduce a new artist or a new topic in your Visual Art class. It is a fantastic resource to help children discover ways to look at, think about and respond creatively to Art. It offers many different levels of reflection and investigation about the art world, the artist and meanings' placed in artworks. It offers visuals, sound and practical interaction, catering to many levels of learning styles.
Students learn the language of art, understand that artworks invite multiple interpretations and see how art is created for a wide variety of personal and social purposes.
Firstly, it does this by inviting the children to meet an artist, tour an artist’s studio and discovers his art through pictures and videos. The students can select their artist and then write their thoughts and emotions in a sketchbook. Secondly, the students can participate in the Look and share activity. By doing this activity students understand that artists use a variety of tools and techniques to express their ideas. In this activity it is up to the students to make sense of the artists’ work by analyzing their artworks with different points of view. Thirdly, students can participate in the art speak activity students learn art words by hearing and reading them. Fourthly, in the Art detective interactive game, students have to answer some questions about an artwork they have learnt about in previous activities. Finally, it also has an Artwork of the month section, where students can learn about a new art style every month.
SmARTkids also includes a Teachers’ area and parents’ area where suggestions are made to enjoy Art at home and classroom use. It proposes some hands-on activities that can be done in class in reference to the website. The teacher also has the possibility to print out the sketchbook made by the students.
This website is a challenging, interesting and motivational for students and for teachers. Not only, it manages to develop a positive attitude towards visual Art by exploring a vast range of artworks, but also, it encourages a higher order of thinking by the students while they are having fun. It will help students to feel comfortable in interacting within the art world and to approach the conceptual aspect of the artwork with confidence.
If you are interested to use this resource in your prac or in your classroom, check out our video to have more information...Enjoy!
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