My goal is for every student—regardless of experience or ability—to understand and be motivated by art. I use a scaffolded approach to teaching, guiding students through the creative process step by step: starting with thumbnails, moving to small studies, and culminating in final artwork. This provides students with multiple opportunities to learn from their mistakes, build confidence, and celebrate their growth.
I begin by presenting the entire project, including assessment guidelines, so expectations are clear from the start. After introducing the lesson, I demonstrate key skills and strategies students will need. Most projects span one to three weeks, but can easily be adapted to fit your unique classroom setting. I strike a balance between giving students enough time to do their best work and setting small, manageable deadlines to keep them motivated and engaged.
At the elementary level, I believe the process is always more important than the outcome. Whether students are creating a project from scratch or coloring a guided worksheet, exemplars provide inspiration and serve as springboards for high-quality artwork. This structure enables all students to succeed while fostering creativity, resilience, and joy in the art-making process.