A Critique's Beginning

Weeks ago the 2nd and 3rd grade students created a design of their name with stencils, scrap paper, markers. Focusing on their name and thinking about design, after a time and really feeling the need to push aesthetics in the classroom. I found courage and hosted a critique. As a group we gave every child an opportunity to show their work and the class raised their hands and we discussed at least three things they liked about their fellows work. I may have asked the student about their own work and what they might have changed, but for an initial critique it went well. Students learned what critique means, they learned about texture, movement, color, and shape among some of the terms we used. The project we used was great for this exercise, simple and based on their name, something they could execute fairly simple. Some of the things said, " I like all the colors they used to fill their name." " I like the way they made a lot of scribbles." "I like the way they arranged their letters."