Teacher Tech: Art Project

Why Study Art?

We study art with our students, not because it helps them with math or science, but because, in order to be a literate person, children need to know about art.

The first project of the year should focus on quality.  If you allow your students to turn in junk that first project, that’s what they think they’re supposed to do.  Your art-covered bulletin board could end up a testament to mediocrity. 

On the other hand, if your display is impressive, it tells students and parents that you are an effective educator.  It can actually boost staff and parental perceptions of you and your effectiveness as an educator. 

To Boost Quality

•            Spend time your first project teaching procedures like: Where to put their paper when done.  How to manage supplies.  How to do clean-up.  Supporting classmates by offering kind comments and observations.  Put these procedures on posters so you don’t have to spend much time explaining them the next time you teach art.

•            Make sure students put their name on their paper before starting a project.  You will get better quality if they know their name will be on the front of their paper and that you are going to put the artwork on your bulletin board to show everyone in the school what good artists they are.  Putting papers in a place accessible to others is Publishing.  Publishing includes putting the art on their class web page, gathering them into a class book, or entering an art contest.

•            If a student is stressed by the idea of doing art for public display, you can lower their concerns by asking them to do a “rough draft” first.  When a student spends nearly no time on a sloppy piece of art, tell them it’s a great start and you can hardly wait until they finish it.  Make sure every student is successful.

•            Idle hands are the devil’s tools.  Make sure students know what to do when finished. Clear instructions about what-to-do-when-done should be on your procedure poster to you can just point to if Suzie decides to attempt mischief when her art is done.

•            Quality will go up if you make sure that students get 5 or more minutes of SILENT time to work on their art.  Some teachers do this by putting on some music (not too bouncy or they will start dancing) or reading a story once all students have started their project.  Be sure to tell them why they are having the quiet time so they understand they are to focus on their work and not socializing.

•            Become an expert at efficiently distributing materials.  If students are spending time waiting for materials, there’s more chances for misbehavior.

•            Have early finishers be your helpers to clean the sink, arrange supplies or tidy up.