Whether you are running a big class of 30 students, a visiting art teacher to hundreds in one day, or a parent responsible for one child’s activities. Scheduling art lessons weekly should be essential for meeting the national art standards. This applies to both early childhood and upper elementary grade students.
Hundreds of teachers and parents write to me annually asking me this big question. How often should children be doing art activities?
The answer is at bare minimum once a week!
Depending on your specific art goals, you want to be building onto a skill every week by adding a new twist, lesson, medium, tool, or creative idea.
Here’s an example of what I mean by scheduling art lessons weekly:
Let’s say you’re introducing clay modeling. You decide you’re going to focus on this for a month. Each week you should introduce one new concept, plus review the prior skill you taught the week before.
week 1. how to use clay
week 2. how to make organic forms out of clay
week 3. how to make geometric forms out of clay
week 4. how to model a form you’re currently studying in botany, zoology, or any topic your class is focused on.
Every week you should have your students creating and learning a new skill that’s focusing on the Elements and and Principles of Design.
If you have questions check out my books below for further guidance.
I hope that helps, here’s some additional resources:
One Step Further: Free Planning Guide PDF DOWNLOAD
If you missed my last LIVE ART TALK, you can watch the recording. I answer common art questions I’m asked from parents and teachers. It’s free to watch for a limited time.
Need more guidance? Order one of my books
Book 1. Early Childhood Art Guide
Book 2. Elementary Guide – Introducing Visual Art To The Montessori Classroom
Book 3. Defining Visual Arts
Book 4. Nurturing Visual Arts
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