Whether as a stand-alone subject or integrated into other content area lessons, art is a fun and creative way to engage students in meaningful learning. It offers an opportunity for the individual or collaborative application of the problem-solving and design processes. Art appeals to and supports a variety of diverse learners. Lessons may be conducted simply with paper and pencil or may involve more elaborate materials and supplies. Having experience and comfort with implementing art lessons is a useful tool in a substitute teacher’s repertoire.
Art Has Many Applications in the Classroom
Art may be studied as a stand-alone subject, in which students learn about concepts like line, shape, color, texture, value, and space. It is also used to enhance the understanding of other subjects, including language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Some schools are focused on arts integration, where the objectives of both art and another content area are developed through the same lesson, and students demonstrate their understanding through the art form. Since substitute teachers may encounter art in all of these contexts, it is important to have a basic understanding of its many applications.
- Art is engaging. The colors and textures draw students in and pique their curiosity. Materials can be applied in endless ways, providing lots of variety.
- Art is communicative, a form of self-expression. As such, students should have opportunities to explore and experiment with the materials and the medium, which then become an extension of themselves.
- Art means taking a risk. Artists put themselves into their projects, opening themselves up to critique. Teachers must establish ground rules in the classroom and model the process for giving appropriate feedback.
- Art can connect us to others. Both the process and the product are significant. The process provides engagement and challenges creative capacity, while the finished piece can provide enjoyment, prompt curiosity, and stimulate discussion.
- Art can be therapeutic and provide healing. It can be a very effective way for students to express difficult feelings or work through challenges. Artistic expression can be an alternative for students who have trouble expressing themselves verbally.
- Art provides focus. Asking students to quietly consider an aspect like line, shape, or color helps create an opportunity for calm and focused concentration, which makes it an effective management strategy.
- Art is open-ended; there is no “right” answer. Therefore, it provides opportunities for students with diverse abilities and a variety of special needs to experience success. Students should have the freedom to express their unique creative vision.
Things to Consider When Implementing Art Lessons
As substitute teachers implement art lessons, there a few key points to remember. To enable freedom of expression and support risk-taking, it is important to firmly establish a safe and judgment-free environment in the classroom. Rather than assuming students know how to participate appropriately, guidelines should be discussed and modeled.
In addition to describing the materials and process that will be applied, it is important to show exemplars. Visual learners will benefit from seeing varied examples. Tactile and kinesthetic learners will learn from holding and practicing with tools, such as pastels or paint brushes, and materials like clay and fabric. Allowing some exploration time, especially for younger students, can build skill and confidence.
Students should be given the option of sharing their work when they are ready, either by showing and describing it to the class or by allowing it to be put on display. They may simply show their final product, or they might share details of their design or process. In either case, until students have had some experience, the substitute should model appropriate questions and/or feedback. Providing sentence and question starters is an effective way to empower students to give constructive feedback.
- What made you decide to . . .?
- I especially like the way you . . .
- What might you do differently next time . . .?
Seeking volunteers to both share their work and provide feedback will eliminate any pressure students might feel to share before they are ready.
The study of art and its application to learning in a variety of other content areas are powerful and inviting for students of all ages. The creativity and innovation that art inspires are important capacities that will benefit students in the long term. Art lessons are engaging and easy to implement, making them a useful option for substitute teachers who must sometimes improvise or adapt as the job placement requires.
Contact ESS for help building a pool of substitute teachers dedicated to enhancing student learning. With a toolbox of developmentally appropriate strategies, our substitutes appeal to diverse learners through the application of a variety of engaging learning modalities.