I was approached by my child’s teacher, who asked (begged, actually…) if I would consider becoming the parent art volunteer for the classroom. This entailed coming in once a month to teach an art lesson that was outlined in an art manual.
Nervously, I accepted the challenge. I wasn’t sure I would be comfortable teaching an art history lesson to a classroom of first graders…how would I get them to listen to me? Although I liked art, how could I make it fun so they might remember, even one new thing about an artist who lived 100 years ago?
Well, that was seven years ago, and since then I not only enjoyed this role, I actually accepted a volunteer position coordinating ALL the parent art volunteers at our school. Now, I conduct training classes and organizing dozens of art volunteers each year.
What amazes me the most, are the positive responses I receive from the teachers and parents. All the teachers strongly believe that art enhances the student’s learning experience, and the parent volunteers love the kids’ positive reactions when they walk into the room with their art supplies, ready to begin an art lesson. I must admit, it’s a WONDERFUL feeling to see a shy student radiate when you compliment them on their artwork, or when a frustrated child is ready to scrap their whole project, and you’re able to help them “fix it” with a new point of view, or a little clean up, and he suddenly shows great pride in his formerly “messed up” artwork.
Sometimes, I like to take an existing project and add a new twist. If it works out, I type it up and put it in the art manual at school for the other volunteers to use. But it’s a pain to have to type, copy, track down and insert new lesson plans in everyone’s book. So, my husband suggested that if people like these art lesson plans, then I should build a WEBSITE. That way, the volunteer can just download an updated lesson plan. (Ohh…I like that…)
Then there’s the BIG picture… with education budgets being cut each year, art, unfortunately is usually one of the first subjects to go, so there must be others out there, parents and teachers alike, who would like to enhance their child’s education and need suggestions for art lesson plans.
So here is my website, a work in progress and I’m always researching new ideas and adding new projects. I’d love to hear ideas from other art enthusiasts. Send in your comments, ideas, projects and I will share them here on this website.
Contact me at Lorna@visual-art-lesson-plans.com if you want regular updates of new projects and related info. Just click on the email link, drop me a line and I’ll add you to my mailing list. |
