• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

Art Class Curator

Hands-on and Minds-curious Art Learning

  • Art & Artists
  • Art Connection Activities
  • Art Teacher Tips
  • Elements & Principles
  • Downloads & Resources
Home
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
    • Art & Artists
    • Elements & Principles
    • Art Connection Activities
    • Art Teacher Tips
    • Downloads & Resources
  • Book
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

September 10, 2019 2 Comments

5 Tips for Meaningful Classroom Art Discussion

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Inside: Five tips for how to lead a classroom art discussion that will get your students thinking about and enjoying works of art.

Meaningful Classroom Art Discussion

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 and observation skills, connect with history, and savor the human spirit.

But the idea of leading such a discussion fills many art teachers with dread.

Where do I start?
What if my students don’t say anything?
What if they ask a question I don’t know the answer to?

Fear not! Students want to look at artwork and they have a lot to say about it. Your classroom can become a place where vital, interesting discussions about art happen regularly with these five tips.

1. Choose a Compelling Artwork

The goal here is not to pick an artwork that all of your students will love. That’s an impossible task! The goal is to choose an artwork that will spark questions and is open to interpretation.

5 Tips for Meaningful Classroom Art Discussion
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939

 

I love showing The Two Fridas to students. There’s so much going on that their minds race at first sight.

Why are there two?
Are they sisters? Twins?
Why are they holding hands?
What’s going on with the hearts?

No two discussions about The Two Fridas will be alike and that makes it a perfect artwork to share with your students.

When choosing art to discuss, look for pieces that catch your eye and make you wonder what’s going on. If you’re curious, your students will be too.

Free Worksheets!

SPARK Art Criticism Framework

SPARK is a complete art criticism and discussion framework that ignites deeper student art connections and more engaging classroom art discussions. Download these free SPARK posters plus a worksheet to use in your classroom!

Download

Free Worksheets!

SPARK Art Criticism Framework

SPARK is a complete art criticism and discussion framework that ignites deeper student art connections and more engaging classroom art discussions. Download these free SPARK posters plus a worksheet to use in your classroom!

2. Let Them Think

Some students will be bursting with thoughts. Others need space to let their ideas build. Give them all time to gather their thoughts by having a silent observation period at the beginning of class. Students can write down what they notice, answer a question you pose, or sketch the artwork. These bellringers allow them to focus and brainstorm before they’re influenced by their classmates.

5 Tips for Meaningful Classroom Art Discussion

A vital part of getting students to engage is giving them the freedom and support to have their own ideas without fear of being wrong or ridiculed. Create a classroom culture that celebrates differences of opinion and doesn’t hold any one interpretation up over another (even the opinion of you, the artist, the museum, or an art historian).

To encourage open conversation, consider not sharing the title or other information about the artwork. If you do, wait until the discussion has taken off and with the reminder that there are no “right” answers.

3. Engage

You want to give your students the freedom to be open, but you can’t stay silent and facilitate a meaningful classroom art discussion. So, what do you do?

Ask & Repeat

When a student tells you one of their observations, repeat it back to them and ask questions to make sure you understand what they’re saying. Don’t be afraid to dive deep and ask multiple questions. When students are heard and understood, they’re more likely to speak up again.

If you get a question about interpretation instead of an observation, direct it back to the student. For example, if they ask why the two Fridas are holding hands, ask them what they think.

You don’t have to praise every comment to encourage your students. No one likes to receive forced or false praise. The simple act of listening and repeating to show you’ve understood is more than enough.

Move

When I’m teaching, I constantly move around the room. When a student is speaking, I stand near them so they know that I’m listening. I want every student, including the introverts and the ones at the back of the room, to know that they are a part of the discussion and expected to share their thoughts.

5 Tips for Meaningful Classroom Art Discussion

This strategy works great for behavior and to keep everyone on track. If they know you could walk by them at any moment, they are more likely to stay involved.

4. Get Comfortable with Quiet

Silence doesn’t mean the discussion is over. Allow those moments for students to ruminate and observe more. These stretches are a great opportunity for more reserved students to gather the courage to speak up.

If you start to feel uncomfortable, take a breath. Choose a student who hasn’t said much, then make and maintain eye contact. Embrace the awkward. Even if it takes a minute, someone will get the ball rolling again.

If you have a particular class that struggles with open discussion, carry a clipboard and take note of when someone makes a comment or goes off-task. You don’t have to announce it. Just make eye contact and write an ‘x’ or a check. They’ll notice and begin participating on their own. Another option is to call on students directly through something like drawing names out of a bucket. These are handy tools but rarely necessary.

5. Have Fun

If you have stage fright, rest easy. This isn’t a lecture. You don’t have to do all the work or know all the facts. If you don’t know an answer, ponder with the students and share the joy of discovery and creativity.

Enjoying art and the desire to share that joy is why you became an art teacher. This is the dream! A teacher’s enthusiasm is especially beneficial to a classroom art discussion. Your passion will spread to your class. Celebrate the process of discovering an artwork together and delight in your students as they show their creative, thoughtful, humorous selves.

 

Art Teacher Blogs

 

This post was originally a part of The Art Ed Blogger’s Network: Monthly Tips and Inspiration from Art Teacher Blogs.

Participating Art Teacher Blogs:

  • Art Class Curator
  • Art Ed Guru
  • Art is Basic
  • Art Room Blog
  • Art Teacher Tales
  • Art with Mr. E
  • Arte a Scuola
  • Brava Art Press
  • Artful Artsy Amy
  • Capitol of Creativity
  • Create Art with ME
  • MiniMatisse
  • Mona Lisa Lives Here
  • Mr. Calvert’s Art Room Happenings
  • Mrs. Boudreaux’s Amazing Art Room
  • Mrs. T’s Art Room
  • Ms. Nasser’s Art Studio
  • Party in the Art Room
  • shine brite zamorano
  • Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher
  • There’s a Dragon in my Art Room
  • 2 Art Rooms

This blog was originally posted on May 8, 2018.

Mentioned on the Art Class Curator Podcast…

Subscribe in Your Favorite Podcast Listening App

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Art Ed Blogger's Network, Art Teacher Tips
Tagged With: best of art class curator, frida kahlo

 

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

The Best Examples of Balance in Art: Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and RadialDecoding Style: How to Teach Students to Read an ArtworkArt Theories-What Makes Art Good 700x1000What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories

Reader Interactions

2 Comments

  1. Lisa Thomas

    January 19, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    Really helpful information… Thank You!! I’m an illustrator/designer turned art teacher this year. Even though I’ve been thoroughly seeped in visuals for years, the application to teaching art is a challenge. Your simple steps + encouragement made for a great class today. I’m so glad we did not race off to mimic the next artist on my list. Much appreciated!

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      January 20, 2021 at 12:43 pm

      Thank you so much for this feedback, Lisa!

      Reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Cindy Ingram, the creator of Art Class Curator and The Curated Connections Library

I’m on a mission to revolutionize education with the power of life-changing art connections. Art is not “extra”. Art is essential. We are empowering teachers to bridge the gap between art making and art connection, kindling a passion for art that will transform generations.

More About Me

Free Worksheets!

-Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets-

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Download

Free Worksheets!

-Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets-

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Enrollment in Curated Connections Library is currently open. Click here to join. Join our list to get more information and to get a free lesson from the vault! If you are purchasing for a school or school district, head over here for more information.

Check Out What’s New In The Shop

Experience Art: Engaging Art Criticism Discussions and Activities for Teachers and Students of All Ages
Call to Art: An Un-Conference for Art Educators
Curated Connections Library Membership
Perspectives High School Curriculum

More Products

Have You Listened to the Latest Podcast Episode?

Falling for Naudline Pierre’s Evocative Art: A Conversation with Madalyn (Part 2)

More Episodes

Testimonials

I like how this program, unlike other art class resource membership programs, feels authentic. It's like art matters more here, and not fancy flash-in-the-pan trendiness. The goal of Art Class Curator seemed to be helping kids develop a lifelong love and art appreciation versus "Hey, look. I painted this fish."
Erin A.
Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art Class Curator is awesome!
Denise W.
Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and come away with some profound thoughts!
Melissa G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
Caroline G.
I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts, but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface with your site.
Maryjane F.

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

Enter your email address to get regular art inspiration to your inbox
plus a BUNDLE OF 6 FREE WORKSHEETS!
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe.
Download

Free Worksheets!

*Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets*

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Copyright © 2025 Ignite Art, LLC DBA Art Class Curator •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy Policy  •  Terms of Service  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs