This week I would like to think about how we learn about what students draw from what they say. I think that it is very important to take the time to listen to students both when they are making art, and after they have finished.
I took the time this week to ask students about their artwork. What interested me was listening to students describe work that is not yet representational. This can be seen in Elijah's work. The viewer most likely would not know what was happening in the drawing and must rely on the dialogue with the student.
Explanation of the drawing:
Me: "Elijah, can you tell me what you are drawing?"
E: "Just eyeballs. He got water on him. Its really really hot."
Me: "What does he do?"
E: "He gives eyeballs to everybody in case they fall out."
Me: "Is he a good guy or a bad guy?"
E: "Good guy but if he gets out of the water he's a bad guy."
Me: "Where does he live?"
E: (pointing) "See where this is? He lives in a stream."
From just looking at the drawing, I would of never guessed that Elijah had such a dynamic story line. Through this example one can see how students are constantly thinking about what they are drawing and have stories to go along with the marks. To the naked eye it may look like a green blog, but to a child, it's an eyeball monster living in a stream.
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