Meet the Artist

Every year, I do a project where students have to research an artist on their own.  I change it up in some way every year.  Sometimes I require students to create PowerPoint presentations and in others they must create original artworks in their assigned artist's style.  No matter what, there is always a writing component, and they must present their artist to the class. 

This year, students had to write a one-page, typed, double-spaced report about the artist, and then put that on a poster along with a picture of the artist and at least one of the artists works of art.  The students were given a week in the computer lab and access to printers to help them.  We also talked about tips for writing a good report, and I got the librarian involved in the action to direct them to some great databases and sites for reputable information. 

Here are some of my favorite posters:

So guess what!  Those students who are so worried about "not being able to draw", have an opportunity to be successful in a "non drawing" activity!

Writing in the art room

Yes, this is art class, but I believe that Art enhances all other disciplines.  So I require my students to write about their art.  We have a weekly warm up, called the Art Start, where students are assigned a work each day Monday-Thursday, and they must draw a picture inspired by the word.  Now, the pictures are only 1/4 of a page, but they must use up that entire box and color or shade their drawings.  Here comes the writing component:  On Fridays, they must select one of their drawings and write four sentences about it.  I also ask them to write in cursive.  I gradually increase the number of sentences that must be in cursive and I provide them with a cursive chart as well.