RAS Learning Outcomes: Problem Solving / Thinking Skills

Raffles American School seeks to provide students the opportunity to learn and grow in acquiring RAS Problem Solving/Thinking Skills. This is just one of the four RAS Schoolwide learning outcomes. How does RAS teach to and assess a skill like thinking and problem solving?

Let’s look at: Visual Arts

Drawing From Observation (Learning to Perceive)

The Visual Art Content Standard: Creativity and innovative thinking are essential life skills that can be developed. Essential Question(s): What conditions, attitudes, and behaviors support creativity and innovative thinking? What factors prevent or encourage people to take creative risks? How does collaboration expand the creative process?

Learning Task: RAS Art students learned to perceive edges (the first component in learning to draw) by tracing the lines and shapes of their own faces. They practiced drawing contour lines, learning to look carefully at curves, shapes and details. Students created diagrams showing the relationships and proportions of facial features. Students responded to artwork by various photographers to learn about value. They explored graphite pencils to show a range of values creating five distinct gradations from lightest to darkest.

Summative Assessment Apply your knowledge to create a self portrait that demonstrates contour line and value

How RAS Faculty might assess a student’s Problem Solving/Thinking Skills while completing this assignment/assessment:

Learning Outcome: Think analytically, creatively and independently. Apply knowledge to real life situations.

—I can experiment and practice new drawing techniques and ways of seeing to stretch my brain.

  Learning Outcome: Think strategically and critically. Problem solve through integration and successful                                                              application of content/learning.

—I can use strategic and critical thinking skills to apply what I have learned about contour lines and shading to revise a drawing.

  Learning Outcome: Take responsible risks and approach problems with creativity and perseverance.

—I can persevere while learning to draw my face to complete my self portrait to the best of my ability.