Evaluating how well the design process works in Year 1 Art & Design can give us a lot of helpful information. Here are some ideas that have worked great for me:

1. Reflective Journals: Have students keep a journal where they write down their thoughts during the design process. This helps them share what they think and feel. It also helps teachers understand how much students know and how engaged they are.

2. Peer Feedback: Letting students give and get feedback from each other is really valuable. I’ve noticed that when they talk about their work with classmates, it helps them think more deeply and enjoy art even more.

3. Gallery Walks: At the end of a project, we can have a gallery walk where students show their work. Watching how they explain their designs to their friends can give us a look at how they think and what they were trying to accomplish.

4. Outcome Assessment: Comparing the first designs with the final pieces shows us how much students have grown. It’s amazing to see their improvements and how they use feedback to make their work better.

Using these methods helps us understand the creative and reflective skills of our Year 1 art and design students!