Reflections about IDA (Identify, Describe, Analyze)

After wrapping my brain around the Enduring Skill for IDA, I tried a few techniques and strategies in the classroom and then asked for student feedback.

My understanding of the Enduring Skill for IDA (identify, describe, analyze) is to identify the Elements and/or Principles you see.  Which ones are present?  Texture, line, color, value, focal point, balance, proportion, etc.  Then, describe them using adjectives.  I like to use the example "If you are talking to your BFF on the phone and you can see the image, but your BFF cannot, describe the image to them."  Then, after you identify the E/P and you have some descriptors, you must analyze WHY the artist did what they did.  What is the message, idea, mood?  What is the artist communicating to the audience?

I incorporated Starter Questions and images, as well as student planning for artworks with these questions and mini-acivities for IDA.  I think that the starters went well,  by the end of the quarter, students were tutoring each other regarding IDA.  I think if I have an IDA poster to remind students and really use it everyday, it will stick.  Also, planning backwards and using the IDA concept.  For the final independent piece, I want students to use the IDA for writing their artist statement.

A - What is the mood, idea, message you want to communicate?

D - Describe how you feel about this mood, idea, message.

I - Which E/P will you use to communicate this to your audience?


We do IDA on existing artists, artworks and activities up until this point.  Then for the final, we do ADI.  We will then turn the ADI into an artist statement for the artwork and display for a Gallery Hop.


Student Feedback:
Based on Student Feedback, the biggest thing they were still confused about was the Analyze part.  Principles of Design, Describe vs. Analyze and then Describe came in second.

My Reflection:
Bigger and Better Word Wall with E/P, Examples of Descriptors and Adjectives for E/P, really implement IDA for all things up until Final and then use ADI for Final Artwork and Artist Statement/Gallery Hop.

I have a new Art in Focus book that I am going through right now.  Here are 2 images of some examples I would like to incorporate and figure out how to use.  Obviously I need to make it student-friendly, but it seems like it would fit really well and help with the IDA concept.