Shop Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty

Tips and trending topics for the teacher who's always learning

schoolyard-logo
  • Education Essentials
  • Inspiration & Planning
  • Learning Spaces
  • Podcasts
  • Topics
  • Search
  • < Previous post
    Next post >
    4 Tips To Give Your Art Projects Mass Appeal

    Arts & Crafts

    4 Tips To Give Your Art Projects Mass Appeal

    The goal of every art teacher is to turn their classroom into a group of young artists. You may have noticed, however, that not all of your students are automatically drawn to art. If you have trouble with art engagement for all the students in your elementary school class, don’t worry. Below we’ll discuss several ways to make your projects interesting to the reluctant artists in your charge.

    1. Tie Art to Another Subject

    Many students don’t love art on its own, but will jump at the chance to pursue science or technology subjects. This is a great chance for you to help with the revolution from STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to STEAM (which incorporates art and design). In that case, painting a night sky that represents the constellations or creating a papier-mâché model of the solar system can do the trick. Others love animals, books or fashion. Get to know your students’ interests, then use their natural loves as a gateway to exploring them through art.

    2. Help Kids Design the Project

    Perhaps you want to focus on a particular art technique – pointillism, say, or impasto. Explain to the kids how the technique works, then let them help you design the project you’ll do. What materials will you use? What paper? What will you try to create? Giving kids some agency can do wonders for their interest levels.

    3. Lean Heavily on Imagination

    Many children, object to art merely for art’s sake. They can’t get into the idea of making something pretty or pleasing to the eye just to do it. They do, however, get really excited about making artwork that reflects their imaginations. Consider, for instance, a lesson called “Create Your Own Creature.” In this, children use paper, odds and ends, toilet paper tubes, glue, beads and other doodads to build an imaginary or mythical creature from scraps. The result? They’ve made art without even knowing it.

    4. Provide Alternatives

    Sometimes a kid doesn’t take to painting or drawing, but loves more tactile pursuits such as sculpture. Or perhaps they don’t like getting their hands messy (this is often the case for kids on the autism spectrum), but will happily engage in projects that involve drawing or coloring. Sometimes providing an alternative to the project can help you catch the interest of all.

    Meeting the needs of every kid in your art room may not be easy, but by digging deep into your bag of problem-solving tricks, you can find ways to engage with every student and help foster a love of art in all of them.

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Recommended

    Art Lesson Plan: A Perfect Match

    Arts & Crafts

    Art Lesson Plan: A Perfect Match

    Sharpie “Stained Glass” Literary Activity

    Reading & Literacy

    Sharpie “Stained Glass” Literary Activity

    Flag Day History and a Craft

    Celebrations & Themes

    Flag Day History and a Craft

    Plan Now for Success Next Year

    Inspiration & Planning

    Plan Now for Success Next Year

    Explore The Schoolyard

    Education Essentials

    Inspiration & Planning

    Learning Spaces

     

    TopicsShop Subscribe

    Copyright © 2025 School Specialty, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement · Social Media Statement · Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only

  • CATEGORIES

    • Education Essentials
    • Inspiration & Planning
    • Learning Spaces
  • TOPICS

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Early Childhood
    • Special Needs
    • Physical Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Student Resources
    • Organization & Storage
    • Classroom Management
    • STEAM & STEM
    • 21st Century Learning
    • Reading & Literacy
    • Healthy Students
    • Teacher Life
    • Back to School
    • Celebrations & Seasons
    • Out of School
    • News
    • Math
    • Science
    • Podcasts
    • Topics
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube