Novel Ways to Increase Engagement in Art Class
Engaging students in art class can be a challenge. (Holy moly, it can be a challenge!)
Let’s all take a moment to appreciate how this challenge looks for art teachers who see their students once a week or sometimes once every seven school days (or longer!). It is HARD to build relationships, set up classroom routines, and ensure engagement in a classroom where you don’t see the kids every day.
This is a challenge unique to elementary “specials” teachers!
So, as teachers, it is important to find new and innovative ways to keep students motivated and interested in the material being taught. Incorporating novelty into the classroom is one of the best student engagement strategies available.
By introducing novel activities as student engagement activities, teachers can provide an engaging and stimulating learning environment for their students.
In this blog post, we will discuss different ways to incorporate novelty into art class in order to increase student engagement.
Create a Project-Based Learning Environment
As an elementary art teacher, engaging your students in the art-making process is one of the most important aspects of a successful classroom. One way to ensure student engagement is by creating a project-based learning environment.
When students are given the opportunity to take ownership of their art, they become more invested in their work and develop greater understanding of the concepts being taught.
When creating a project-based learning environment, you should begin by brainstorming ideas for projects with your students. Involve your students in the planning process so that they feel like their input matters and that their ideas are respected.
Additionally, allow them to explore ideas and create their own unique projects. This freedom will help them to get excited about their work and become more engaged in their art class.
You could assign a project where students have to research a famous artist or create a piece inspired by the work of a famous artist. For example, the artwork of Guiseppe Arcimboldo is interesting, quirky, and often funny for kids.
Guiseppe Arcimboldo is most well-known for painting human faces using fruit, vegetables and other natural elements. Kids find this type of artwork interesting and when they are introduced to it, student engagement goes up significantly. Creativity is fostered when students are having fun experiencing novelty with artists like Arcimboldo.
Not familiar with Arcimboldo? Check out Art That Makes You Smarter and LEARN MORE
Try Art Icebreakers to Jumpstart Creativity
Starting your art class with quick, engaging art icebreaker activities can set the tone for a fun and productive session. Art icebreakers help build community, spark creativity, and get those creative juices flowing before diving into more structured lessons. One simple idea is to ask students to create a quick sketch or doodle based on a random prompt, like "Draw what your dream shoes would look like" or "If you could combine three animals into one, what would it look like?" Another option is to introduce collaborative drawing games, such as passing a paper around and adding one element at a time to create a collective masterpiece. These activities don't just warm students up—they create an atmosphere of joy and engagement while subtly encouraging teamwork and critical thinking. Plus, they’re a great way to get to know your students and their unique personalities!
Encourage Student Choice
When it comes to increasing engagement in art class, one of the most effective strategies is to allow students to make their own choices.
Giving students freedom to choose their own subject matter, mediums, and methods for creating can be extremely beneficial for their engagement. Elementary art teachers can do this by offering a range of materials and/or project ideas, then allowing the student to select which they'd like to pursue. For example, providing a choice between drawing with markers or painting with watercolors gives the student control over the outcome of their work.
By allowing students to choose their own project, they become more interested in the process and the result. By giving them options and letting them explore their own creativity, you will be able to observe how engaged the students are when working on their projects. This could help teachers identify any areas where students may be struggling or lacking motivation.
Encouraging student choice can also open up discussions about individual preferences and learning styles. This can provide valuable insight into what type of art classes would best engage different students. Student interest data collection such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups can also help teachers understand what types of activities students would find most engaging in an art class. Through these conversations, teachers can create a more diverse curriculum that meets the needs of all students.
Providing student choice doesn't mean throwing all classroom management and behavior best practices to the wind. It doesn't mean creating a free-for-all situation in the classroom either.
Teachers can be strategic about which choices students get to make. One of my favorite ways to do this is by using a ➡️ dice game like this one based on Arcimboldo.
There's enough structure in using the game as a drawing prompt to help students be successful with their artwork. These also provide plenty of opportunity for students to make their own choices. After they complete the game, they can add further details and select which media to use to add color. The instructions in the resource give all the details. Plus, there are lots of opportunities for reflection and writing with this as well! Win-win!
Use Technology
For elementary art teachers, the use of technology can be a great way to increase student engagement in art class.
Technology can help break down the boundaries between traditional classroom learning and more engaging, creative learning experiences. For example, teachers can use digital tools like iPads, Chromebooks, and interactive whiteboards to make art more interactive and engaging. Teachers can also use web-based educational resources to create student-driven projects. With these resources, students can explore different art topics and create unique works of art.
By making art class more interactive and personalized, teachers can create an engaging environment for their students. Technology can also provide students with a platform to share their work with peers and teachers. Through this shared work, students can discuss ideas and collaborate on projects, creating an open and collaborative learning environment. Additionally, teachers can use online platforms to host virtual galleries, which can further boost student engagement by allowing them to show off their artwork and gain recognition.
Using technology in art class is not only fun but can also help boost student engagement and enthusiasm. By using innovative tools and resources, elementary art teachers can create unique learning experiences, like ➡️ the one built right into this Arcimboldo lesson, that make art class more interactive and engaging for their students.
Free Yourself Up to Interact Meaningfully With the Students
Elementary art teachers want to create an engaging and meaningful experience for their students, but it can be difficult when lesson prep takes up so much of their attention.
Using a low to no prep art lesson is a great way to free up a teacher's attention span and energy reserves. Preparing a lesson in advance (especially a low to no prep one) allows the teacher to spend more time interacting with their students. This kind of meaningful interaction helps teachers give immediate feedback, build relationships, and monitor student progress.
For example, during an art class centered around a low prep lesson like ➡️ the Arcimboldo one, teachers can encourage student choice and creativity while they go around the room helping each student refine their work.
A project-based learning environment helps to motivate and inspire students, as they explore and find their own creative solutions to the problems presented. Technology can also be incorporated into the art class to add an element of excitement and further engage students.
With a little bit, and I do mean a little bit, of preparation and the right strategies in place, elementary art teachers can create an engaging and meaningful learning experience for their students.
With a low to no prep art lesson, they are free to interact meaningfully with their students and provide invaluable feedback that will help them grow as young artists.
Conclusion
Elementary art teachers are in a unique position to help students understand the importance of art and to foster a sense of creativity and joy in the classroom. And, YOU know Party in the Art Room is ALL ABOUT the JOY in teaching and learning. So, it just makes sense that one of the best ways to do this is by introducing novelty into the classroom and encouraging student engagement.
By creating project-based learning environments, allowing students to have choice, and incorporating technology, elementary art teachers can create an exciting learning environment that will benefit their students.
There are many student engagement examples that can be used as inspiration when creating an effective art class for elementary students. By introducing new ideas, such as those listed above, elementary art teachers can create an environment where their students thrive and become more engaged in learning.
I’m Amanda, and I align standards and integrate content to help teachers meet the needs of the Whole Child in art class! I have yet to find a standard that I couldn’t teach through art, and I want to share it all with you.
Not sure where to start with bringing art and content together? This freebie guide is packed with 25 ideas to align your art lessons with math and ELA standards. Your students will be crafting art and practicing algebraic thinking. Win-win!
I want all students to feel successful in the art room, so I created a standards-based Daffodil Collage lesson to do just that! The lesson includes an artist study, student reflection, and more, so push your artists to their full potential.
Follow along on my Instagram page for more tips on teaching the Whole Child in the art room!
Connecting art and content together doesn’t have to be mind-boggling. I’ve made it simple with 25 math and ELA art lesson starters - for free! Plus, I included 15 worksheets for students to reflect on their art-making journey.