Reflection Frame for Evidence: Our Story

Name: Mrs. Reid       

Division: 7

Painting cedar planks to share our identity:  considering colour, symbols and who we are.

Describe the evidence that you brought to share.

I brought in the initial stages of our Identity Planks. Students are using cedar planks to share who they are at this stage in their lives as thinkers and people. We started off by thinking about colour and how the colour wheel can help us connect to who we are. We discussed warm and cool colours, emotions and what we connections we make to them. Students then looked at symbols that share a part of who they are. For example, a campfire may be symbolic of spending time with family. Finally, we talked about where things were positioned on the plank and how large each image was and what these decisions meant about how you feel about that image etc …

What are you learning regarding your evidence? What have you noticed through your scanning and observation?  What is going on for your learners?

I’m learning that students can be far more reflective than I would have imagined. They can tap into emotions and see how art can be used to express themselves in a way that words don’t always do. I notice that students seemed calm and content looking at themselves through these lenses. Many students chose our school to be placed on the board and I think that speaks to the importance of school community to their identity. There is a common theme in that each board has relationships on them whether it be family or friends. Several students also noted a symbolic journey of some kind (learning mountain … a family’s journey to Canada).

How is what you are learning now different from when you began in the fall?

The students are able to go much deeper in their thinking and share who they are in a way that reflects their thoughts and emotions. I think there is a sense of safety in sharing and expressing in our room and it is reflected

What questions do you have moving forward?

For those that get stuck in appearances of art, I wonder how we can push them forward and get them to feel more free to play with artistic expression.

What are some next steps you are considering?

 We’ve decided to present this as an art instillation with a Clips video sharing an exploration and insight into what they created. We will present the boards with QR codes so that we create an experience for the viewer that walks us through the process.