Inside: Five tips for how to lead a classroom art discussion that will get your students thinking about and enjoying works of art. Looking at art is an inspirational and emotional experience. Talking about art is a launching pad for creativity, collaboration, and cognition. A meaningful classroom art discussion helps students develop empathy, flex thinking…
Blog
SPARK: 5 Art Criticism Steps for Inspired Art Connections and Conversations
Inside: Discover SPARK, the complete art criticism and discussion framework that ignites deeper student art connections and more engaging classroom art discussions. Download a SPARK art criticism steps poster and worksheet for your classroom! Many of us are familiar with the traditional Feldman model of art criticism steps: Description, Analysis, Interpretation, and Evaluation. But this…
What do kids learn from looking at art?
Inside: Students, parents, and admins often struggle to understand what we learn from looking at art. Find out some of the many reasons why looking at art is valuable. Last week, I was teaching a class about German Expressionism, and we were spending a considerable amount of time (over 20 minutes) dissecting and discussing as…
{Free Training} Curated Conversations: 4 Steps to a Fun & Engaging Art Discussion
Inside: Register to join a free art teacher training webinar about how to lead engaging and educational classroom art discussions. Classroom Art Discussions Have you ever wanted to lead a meaningful classroom art discussion but felt too nervous or unprepared to go for it? Worried you’ll be greeted with silence and blank stares? Concerned they’ll…
6 Juicy Artworks for the First Day of School
Inside: Six works of art with discussion questions and creative activities that make perfect first day of school art activities for art teachers of any grade. August is coming… I know. Summer just started! You’ve barely had a chance to sunbathe or swim, and yet it’s almost time to attend in-service meetings, set up your…
Curated Connections: FREE Summer Art Teacher Workshop
Inside: An invitation for you to join me in curating inspired classroom art connections with a FREE, online summer art teacher workshop starting August 8th! The students are coming! Are you ready? 🙋♀️ Join me starting August 8th for a brand new, FREE, four-part art teacher workshop entitled Curated Connections. In this video workshop, I’ll…
Teaching Art History Without Lecture: Classical Sculpture Analysis Lesson
Inside: In this Ancient Roman & Ancient Greek sculpture lesson, students learn about art history through an interactive activity. Downloadable worksheet & PowerPoint! As a long-time teacher, I have a handful of lessons that I know always work. I can pick up these lessons and give them anytime and know that they will lead to…
10 Fun Kinesthetic Activities to Do with Art
Inside: Ten fun kinesthetic activities to help students connect with works of art. One of the best ways for young people to connect with artworks is through movement. Exploring art with their bodies helps students connect with the art and artists by helping them clearly understand the emotions, actions, and conventions. It makes them think…
Rhythm in Art: The Ultimate List of Rhythm in Art Examples
Inside: The ultimate collection of rhythm in art examples, including everything from regular to random, plus a rhythm in art definition. A continuation of our Elements and Principles of Art series. Here are some artworks you can use to teach rhythm in art for your elements and principles of design rhythm lessons. I will add…
Kollwitz & Cassatt: Two Views of Motherhood in Art
Inside: Comparing and contrasting two views of motherhood in art with the work of Käthe Kollwitz and Mary Cassatt, including four free Mother’s Day worksheets. May is the month that we turn our attention to those that bring us into this world. Our mothers. It’s been called the hardest job, but also the most rewarding….
