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Lesson Plans


Working with K-1

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
PicasoLovr
Fri, 6 Feb 1998 19:41:45 EST

K and first can be stressing, but they produce the most magical art work in
all of the elementary grades!
Structure is important, and repeat lessons as much as you can. Snappy lessons
seen to work the best. Use the video, overhead projector, slides, and quick
demonstrations. They love this. Lessons are less than ten minutes in my class.
Don't be afraid to raise your voice when they're pitching crayons or laying on
the seats. I'm a strick teacher and I always nag them when they don't have
their eyes on the speaker. I try to tell them that this is serious. We are
learning how professionals draw, watercolor, or whatever.

Early finishers help clean, sort, or sweep the floors. Sometimes I hand out
modeling clay to reward those who are on task. Sometimes I put a cap on the
lesson by having them sit on the floor in line while I read a short book that
goes with the topic, while some are collecting crayon buckets, paints, brushes
or water containers.
Life is exciting when you come to art. I always surprise them with something
new. Sometimes I give them a piece of colored chalk to take home, because of
their good answers during the lesson.
Remember the young and tender age that you're dealing with, you want them to
still enjoy art by the time they get to fifth grade. If you can keep the
structure the same, constant rewards and varied lessons, you might keep them
interested by the end of elementary school.
Lots of Luck
I taught pre-K for a year before I taught art, so I know what you're thinking
as you teach them.