In December I focused on student engagement and specifically, what I could do to encourage that. For this simple drawing, it was up to the student to position the drapery and themselves. I spend a lot of time with this group cultivating a "growth mindset." Carol Dweck's research (watch her Ted Talk) has shown over and over that students believing their abilities can be developed will persevere, while students with a "fixed mindset" will run from challenges. Art class is the perfect place for student to experience this very real process. Art, after all, can be process - and along the way, we've engaged in many exercises where they have learned strategies, focus and resilience.
No one balked at this exercise, recognizing that observational drawing is a valuable skill. And while I just espoused praising the process - it sure is nice to look at the products - aren't they are lovely?