Aspects of Quality Art Lesson Plans:

There are many aspects of a quality lesson plan that are all important to consider. These are just a few that really stick out to me.

Hands-on learning is one of the most important things about a quality art lesson. Art would be very hard for children to learn art and art techniques without performing them. Also doing a hands-on lesson helps the children express themselves and be comfortable doing so. When children have a hands-on lesson, especially one that they can get messy with, it is fun for them and they will begin to grow a love for art. Once children love art, they will also love learning about it.

Art terms are another important aspect of quality art lesson plan. I think that using the correct art terms really teaches art. You can integrate an art lesson but without the proper terminology, it is almost a worthless integration. For the younger grades it may not be possible for them to fully understand some terms. For example a preschooler may not grasp the idea of a horizontal line. However, you can explain that horizontal lines look like they are sleeping so we will call them sleeping lines; continuing the lesson calling them sleeping lines instead of horizontal lines. 

Fun and expressive lessons are also very important. It is one lesson if you say flowers have five red petals and have green stems. It is a completely different lesson if you let the children create their own flower which however many petals and in whatever colors they choose. Letting the children be expressive and creative really helps them to enjoy art, and when they enjoy it, they will remember it better.

We have talked about art being cognitive, affective and psychomotor. It is important to remember that art isn’t always about painting or drawing but about moving around as well. Art can be explored threw making different kinds of lines and shapes with your body or countless experiences like going outside and finding shapes or colors in nature. It is also important to included these types of activates in your lesson plans, especially since there are many kinds of learners, even in art.

http://valart3700.blogspot.com/

http://www.goshen.edu/art/ed/Compose.htm

Clements, Robert D. “Emphasis Art” 2010. Ninth edition