Values of Growth Spiral

I decided to identify a series of classroom values that are more personal to me serve to unify the art lessons with meaningful concepts. Cat identified these values as contributing to growth or wholeness. I modified the Studio Habits of Mind to create the Values of Growth Spiral:

                                       Values of Growth Spiral Designed by José D. García

Trust

To have confidence in yourself and in others 

To trust the art process 

To have faith in the human spirit, the universe or anything that makes you feel peaceful

Honoring

To believe in the worthiness of yourself and value those around you respect the work done by yourself and others 

To practice gratitude 

To respect the work done by yourself and others 

To practice self-compassion (don't be too hard on yourself)

 Discovery

To learn about yourself and discover your world

To learn tools and techniques to make art

To learn how and why people make or made art within society 

Joy

To explore playfully and find joy in creating 

Expression

To convey ideas, feelings or personal meaning through art 

To communicate with others effectively

Creativity

To create options and make choices by taking action 

To imagine what may not be right in front of you and imagine possibilities 

To really SEE what may normally be overlooked 

Dedication

To develop focus and a work ethic 

To accomplish a goal and practice perseveranceReflection 

To question and explain your art process 

To evaluate and make judgments about your art and any art you see

             The values are arranged in a spiral because they begin in the center and expand outwards but can also spiral inwards or repeat with each area of growth it will be applied to. I also chose the spiral because it can connect to the image of a portal working inward or a cone radiating outward. It allows for other applications such as the mathematical growth of the golden ratio as demonstrated by the Fibonacci spiral. In a professional development training hosted by East Side Union High School District, the main topic of a session was focused on the work of Carol S. Dweck Ph.D. and her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. She states that people are divided into either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. The fixed mindset believes that intelligence is static and people are either talented or smart or not. The growth mindset believes that while differences among people exist, talent and intelligence can be developed through effort and a commitment to learn (Dweck 2006). Students who are taught the growth mindset improve their test scores according to Dweck and Aronson, Fried and Good’s research, as well as increase their performance in class and enjoyment of school (2002). My intention with the values of growth spiral is to develop students metacognitive awareness of their learning and creative processes. If they apply these values in my art class it will improve their performance. If they choose to apply them in other areas of their lives they will have the framework necessary to guide their growth. Healing occurs when they apply this to change a negative experience or idea of him or herself. Having a unified set of values that develop students’ belief in the growth mindset will empower them and expose them to the healing power of art.