Note: To protect the privacy of our members, e-mail addresses have been removed from the archived messages. As a result, some links may be broken.

Lesson Plans


Drawing "emergency kit" for subs

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Doug DuBosque (dd)
Wed, 27 May 1998 11:46:29 -0400 (EDT)

If you're an art sub faced with "free drawing" and younger elementary
students, here are some (obviously biased) ideas that may be helpful:

With the right tools, many teachers find it easy to do guided drawing
lessons. They're adaptable, fun (you get to draw too!), and not just for
art classes - as "emergency lesson plans," you can't beat a "drawing
break" in a regular classroom as well. You can work with any paper and
pencils the kids have available. And - do I need to say it - you improve
with practice!

The "right tool" is a book with clear, step-by-step instructions, quality
illustrations, and subject matter that appeals to students. My obvious bias
is that I have written ten or so of them, with situation similar to yours
in mind.

"Draw Ocean Animals" has a lot of variety and some of the most accessible
lessons. Other titles tie into what kids may be studying in the classroom:
dinosaurs, insects; rainforest, desert, grassland animals. Some of my
favorite "tricks" include the basic forms ("Learn To Draw Now"; to be
revised one of these days), and a simple lesson in perspective ("Learn To
Draw 3-D") is a winner with grades 4-6.

I use dinosaurs with younger kids and often end up with 45-minute "instant
hallway displays;" I'll be happy to send you a description of the process.
It takes a lot of energy, but the results are often well worth it.

If I had to sub in elementary grades, I'd want to have a couple of these
books with me, whether for the "horror" of artroom "free-drawing," or for a
useful grade-level classroom break. (Actually, I DO carry them with me; I
don't have everything in them memorized, and since classroom teachers are
often watching I like to model how to use them with a class.)

Hope this is useful.

Doug DuBosque

Titles, reviews, and sample pages online at : http://drawbooks.com/

Doug DuBosque
Peel Productions, Inc. http://peelbooks.com
Growing Books for Growing People!

828.894.8838 - fax 828.894.8839
dd

  • Maybe reply: AViles5631: "Re: Drawing "emergency kit" for subs"