WORKSHOP SAMPLE: Independent school – Costa Rica

Essential Questions: What tool* do use in your craft? ​ How have you made your practice into an art?

1) Make an example of this craft in practice. 

In the tradition of Zen Buddhism how can you take you knowledge and transform you experience to another field and make that an art too? 

2) Show your work and explain the transformation of knowledge. 

3) Have your students make their examples and present their work and thinking (Metacognition) too. 
* Tools are anything that you use. In art, I use pens, brushes, and paints. Languages are tools. Creating history is a tool. Algebra, geometry, and addition & subtraction are tools, and using these tools successfully is a transferable skill. 

Example: AI is a tool, and anyone can use it. However, there is a skill to using AI well. AI is not going to replace humans; it is only a tool. A hammer never replaced a human, that tool made us work more efficiently, and some people are better builders than others because they learn to use the tools and transfer that skill to other modalities. 

MINI PROJECT DESIGN

​This little drawing exemplifies the Mini Project in the Costa Rican independent school. I would combine my academic/personal interest, drawing with an ink pen, then water brushwork, creating a shading effect. This kind of picture making is easy for students to develop a model image. The teacher needs to combine a personal interest into an aspect of the project. Because excitement is contagious, having teachers share what they care about is powerful molding for the students. ​

THIS IS WHAT I AM INTO
RIGHT NOW AND I WOULD SHARE THIS WITH MY STUDENTS. 

This is an example of how I like to draw right now. I carry around a small sketchbook, a pen, and a brush. When bored, interested, or having a good time, I take it out and doddle or draw what I see. 

This is my pasatiempo, and it is an accessible way to draw. You don't have to draw with your students. You can incorporate your interest into a mini-lesson. 

My EXEMPLAR of a Mini-Lesson    THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

As a Project Based Learning art teacher, I often combine project themes from other subjects into my students' art practices. This gives them an authentic use of art and brings depth to what the students can connect. If I worked at Bellelli I would combine my new art-making style with the rainforest environment around the school.

This mini-project incorporates art, design, play, environment, and nature with a modality that I am excited about. This mini-Project will be the first step in a larger formatted project. Like any project you do, do the project yourself first. I did the project twice below, a series of four x2.  
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MINI PROJECT SERIES OF FOUR

 Designed well this gives the participants a look into the area of study and a foreshadowing of the final project. Mini Projects are stepping stones to authentic student work displayed or viewed by an audience. 

Series of four Rain-Fest Plaints

​Series of four Rain-Fest Animals

PROJECT EXEMPLAR: Rain Forest Journal
I love journals, graphic design, biology and teaching, this would be my project.

​This project is the kind of collaboration I like—combining many students' work into one book, collection, or journal. I created this exemplar to set the floor; when the students see it, they understand the kind of work I expect. Some elements and criteria stay consistent, so the journal has continuity: Different drawing styles and subjects but a consistent font and background to tie the work together. I know what it takes to do the journal because I made two sections. If this project hits my learning goals, I know what I will need to do to fill in the gaps and if it is an exciting project because I did it myself first. Doing the project first is the trick to PBL, don't miss it!