Activities and Discussion (40 minutes)

Writing Criticism (30 minutes)
Facilitator: Distribute and discuss the Criticism: Purposes and Process (PDF) handout.

View (or recall) the three-minute opening sequence of Quidam, with the purpose of writing a critique of this segment.

Divide into three groups for these activities:

• Group 1 will write a description of the opening sequence without interpretation or judgment.
• Group 2 will write an analysis of how artistic elements were employed and to what effect.
• Group 3 will write an evaluation of the opening sequence with supporting evidence for group members’ opinions.

Share the findings with all participants. Discuss points of disagreement and consider why people have different opinions.

Reflection (10 minutes)
Use the following questions to focus a closing discussion:

• Identify the progression of Bloom’s Taxonomy: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation. In what ways are students challenged to synthesize and evaluate through the four lessons you saw?
• How has your understanding of “multi-arts” and “criticism” changed?
• In what ways will an expanded understanding of the criticism process lead your students to higher levels of thinking?
• How do you envision collaboration with your colleagues as you begin to think about integrating the arts into your curriculum?

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