The Pro’s to Teaching Art in an Elementary and Jr/Sr High School Levels

While student teaching, I took mental notes considering the pro’s of teaching art at different age levels.  My notes were designed to help me decide which level I would prefer to work with and figured that someone else could also benefit from them. I’ve broken the levels into two groups, the Elementary and Jr/Sr High.

At the Elementary Level:

• Students think anything you’ve made is beautiful

• Students get easily excited, making learning fun

• Students are eager to please

• They love to keep busy with tasks

• They don’t prefer substitutes over the teachers

• They thrive in structure and systems, as long as they get some free time

• Students want to be known and will tell you everything about themselves

• They’re not afraid to call themselves artists and what they make is art

• And last but not least, they are really cute at this age

At the Jr/Sr High Level:

• Students need you to prove to them by seeing your artwork or watching a demonstration

• I enjoyed creating the demonstration pieces and visual aid (you get to create and teach)

• Students enjoy not having to take a test

• Students artistic skills really begin to manifest
• Students want to make the creative decisions for themselves
• Students can begin building a portfolio for college
• They can adjust easily to a substitute
• Students, for the most part, choose to be in art class (it’s not always required past ninth grade)
• You can have more in depth conversations about aesthetics

After looking at all of the pro’s, I’m still not sure what grade level I would prefer. I’m glad that my certification is K-12, and I think I’ll be happy working at any of the levels.

Is anyone willing to share what their prefered level is and why? I’d love to hear!

~ by florriebarnett on February 5, 2009.