Having students read, think, interpret, apply, and write is an important skill that goes beyond the art room. We know students who are exposed to an inter-curricular approach to art education are more successful. I have a page on my blog with over 100 cartoons that are art related. I like to project one at the beginning of a class and have students "explain the joke" as a bell-ringer in the first minute or two of class. I have one or two share orally and we move on. (Those that volunteer to share get 1 point of extra credit on a future test or exam.) I like to keep these responses in their workbooks, but they can easily be kept in a notebook or notepad.
A side benefit is that students come to enjoy these cartoons and I have a fewer students who come late because they know we move on quickly after that, and they miss out. At the end of a semester I give them a classwork grade for their participation. They earn 100% if they have them all or a percentage based on how many they completed. They mark "Absent" in their notes so they do not loose credit for sick-days.
A side benefit is that students come to enjoy these cartoons and I have a fewer students who come late because they know we move on quickly after that, and they miss out. At the end of a semester I give them a classwork grade for their participation. They earn 100% if they have them all or a percentage based on how many they completed. They mark "Absent" in their notes so they do not loose credit for sick-days.
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