Developing art lessons can be overwhelming to create with a busy schedule. Sure you can use the same art lessons every year but every now and again, you’ll want (or be required) to create lessons for a very specific topic or subject.
Over the years, I created a criteria for assessing whether or not a lesson will work in my art program. I call it my SPARKLE method for lesson development. These 7 key steps will help you create art projects that are unique to you, your art program and that your students will love.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why it’s important to flex your creative muscles and see what you can create on your own
- How I get ideas for my new projects, both around the house and while travelling
- Why illustrations have to be understandable for children in order to convert successfully into an art lesson
- What to do if you have a set curriculum to follow
- The secret to know if a project will work for students
- Why you don’t need to apologize for your weaknesses – play up your strengths!
- How it’s important to try out a new lesson yourself before introducing it to your class
- Why if you’re introducing an art concept in a school environment, there has to be a reason for it
- How telling a story or interesting fact about an artist will engage children and make the lesson memorable
- When you’re doing research you can use sensory details to explain or elaborate on an artist’s technique
- How YouTube videos can easily be used to teach kids about artists that you’re not overly familiar with
- When designing a lesson around a master, make sure the person has a broad appeal for the age group you’re teaching to
- How using lingo, or vocabulary, in your art room is a great way to make sure your lesson planning is on track
- The mindset shift I had to make when it came to using 3-D forms
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
My best advice for teaching art to kids.
Developing art lessons can be overwhelming to create with a busy schedule. Sure you can use the same art lessons every year but every now and again, you’ll want (or be required) to create lessons for a very specific topic or subject.
Over the years, I created a criteria for assessing whether or not a lesson will work in my art program. I call it my SPARKLE method for lesson development. These 7 key steps will help you create art projects that are unique to you, your art program and that your students will love.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why it’s important to flex your creative muscles and see what you can create on your own
How I get ideas for my new projects, both around the house and while travelling
Why illustrations have to be understandable for children in order to convert successfully into an art lesson
What to do if you have a set curriculum to follow
The secret to know if a project will work for students
Why you don’t need to apologize for your weaknesses – play up your strengths!
How it’s important to try out a new lesson yourself before introducing it to your class
Why if you’re introducing an art concept in a school environment, there has to be a reason for it
How telling a story or interesting fact about an artist will engage children and make the lesson memorable
When you’re doing research you can use sensory details to explain or elaborate on an artist’s technique
How YouTube videos can easily be used to teach kids about artists that you’re not overly familiar with
When designing a lesson around a master, make sure the person has a broad appeal for the age group you’re teaching to
How using lingo, or vocabulary, in your art room is a great way to make sure your lesson planning is on track
The mindset shift I had to make when it came to using 3-D forms
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap.
Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.
SHOW NOTES:
Eric Carle
Lois Ehlert
Old Bear & Leaf Collage Lesson (inspired by Kevin Henke)
Etsy
Karla Gerard
Mizzlee_Art (Instagram)
“A Rock Is Lively” by Dianna Hutts Aston
Art Made Easy’s Free Art Supply Checkist (downloadable pdf)
Romero Britto Facebook Page
Maud Lewis
Art with Mati & Dad YouTube channel
Getting to Know Videos on YouTube
Fred Babb
Keith Haring
Nellie Shepherd
Subscribe to Art Made Easy and receive new episodes directly on your phone via your podcast Ap.
Note: If you have an iPhone, subscribe in iTunes. If you have an Android phone, subscribe in Stitcher.
SHOW NOTES:
Old Bear & Leaf Collage Lesson (inspired by Kevin Henke)
“A Rock Is Lively” by Dianna Hutts Aston
Art Made Easy’s Free Art Supply Checkist (downloadable pdf)
Art with Mati & Dad YouTube channel
Getting to Know Videos on YouTube
My best advice for teaching art to kids.
Yes, the day has come!
After a long time deciding if, I finally said when.
Thank you SO much for your encouragement, show suggestions and help getting Art Made Easy off the ground.
Many of you were so pumped about this show but confessed that you had no idea what a podcast was. I love you guys for your unbridled enthusiasm.
Here’s a quick definition of a podcast & what to expect from Art Made Easy:
A podcast is a free radio show. The host (me!) interviews guests or talks about a favorite subject. You get to listen through your computer, laptop or smart phone. I like to listen to my favorite podcasts in my car during long travel days or on my walks via set of ear buds and my iPhone.
You can subscribe to the show via iTunes and Stitcher radio. The benefit is that your free podcast ap on your iPhone will automatically be updated with all the podcast episodes from any show you subscribe to.
Go ahead and give it a try!
To listen on your laptop or computer, just click the play button in the colored box below.
To listen via iTunes, click on the “play in iTunes” banner and click subscribe.
And now onto the show…
For my first show, I wanted to tell you my story of how I became an art teacher. We all have different paths and this one is mine. I’ll share advice to those who are just starting out as an art teacher and some of my best tips for teaching art to kids.
This episode is for anyone who thinks they may not have the qualifications to be an art teacher. Teaching art to kids doesn’t have to happen inside a classroom. You can teach art at home, at a summer camp and even as a volunteer (like I did).
If you are an art teacher just beginning your journey, I’m sharing my best advice to get you through that tough first year. Download my free handout and keep it in your teacher planner and refer to it when you have a tough day.
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
SHOW NOTES:
Drawing With Children: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too
Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages (Lab Series)
National Art Convention
CreativeLive- free online classes
Art Teachers Facebook Group
Website: Painted Paper in the Art Room (Laura Lohmann)
Website: Art of Education
Book: Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers
PS – Please leave a review on iTunes!
Art Made Easy is now live on iTunes! Subscribing to the show and leaving an honest review really helps the show gain visibility and allows me to tailor the show to your needs.
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