The Value of Good Value: Teaching Graphite Shading Techniques
Mastering Value and Shading in Drawing: Building Confidence Step by Step Let’s get to the heart of realistic drawing—value and graphite pencil shading techniques. This is where confidence begins in the art room, and students start to see their skills truly take shape. It’s not only fun to teach but also transformative for students, laying […]
The Student Engagement Reset Button: Reigniting Motivation in the Classroom
Rekindling Student Engagement: Practical Strategies for Today’s Classroom There’s been a lot of discussion lately among educators about the apparent decline in student work ethic. Questions like, “Why don’t the kids care anymore?” and “How do I increase student engagement?” are echoing across shared platforms. Here’s the truth: students do care. They want to succeed, […]
The Power of Scaffolded Teaching with Colored Pencils
Transform Your Classroom with a Scaffolded Approach to Teaching Colored Pencils Teaching colored pencils using a scaffolded approach builds confidence, which leads to more engaged and motivated students. While the method might seem simple, it’s incredibly effective for middle school, high school, and even adult learners. By breaking lessons into manageable steps, this approach creates […]
The Importance of Relevant Art Professional Development (PD)
Empowering Art Educators: Practical Workshops for Real-World Classroom Success Art workshops tailored to the unique challenges of educators are more vital than ever, especially in a post-pandemic world. Many teachers are placed in roles they aren’t fully prepared for—particularly in art education. Providing hands-on training, actionable classroom resources, and relevant professional development (PD) is crucial […]
The Art of the Rubric: Fair and Effective Art Assessment
Rubrics for Art Teachers: Your Secret Weapon for Fair and Efficient Grading My goal for this blog is to help art educators like you consistently achieve excellence in the classroom—both in attitude and artwork. One crucial component that contributes to this success is the rubric, a foolproof method for assessing student artwork fairly, efficiently, and […]
The Art of Gratitude: Classroom Management 101
The Secret to Excellence: Building a Culture of Gratitude in the Art Room As a high school art teacher, one of the most frequent questions I get is, “How do you maintain such consistent excellence in student work?” Side Note: For evidence of this excellence, feel free to visit our art room Instagram: @mrs_tfox. The […]
Teaching Drawing: A Scaffolded Approach for Success
Scaffolded Drawing Instruction: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success Teaching drawing—whether to middle schoolers, high schoolers, or even adults—can feel intimidating. Drawing itself can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure where to begin. Questions like “How much instruction is too much?” or “Why do students find drawing boring?” are enough to make even seasoned teachers pause. […]
Shading Techniques – How to Shade with a Pencil
Mastering Shading Techniques with Graphite Pencil: A Step-by-Step Approach Realistic graphite pencil drawings rely on mastering shading techniques, value application, and smooth value transitions. Once students have their contour line drawing in place, knowing how to shade becomes key to achieving realism. This blog post walks through my structured, scaffolded approach to teaching shading with […]
Planning for Art Substitute Teachers (Stress-Free)
Free Template & Tips for a Successful Absence Planning for a substitute teacher can feel like a chore, especially for art educators. How often have you heard, “It’s more work to be out of school than in school”? The key to a smooth absence lies in having a rock-solid sub plan. Whether your absence is […]
Mastering Pencil Drawing: Tips for Success
Mastering Pencil Sketching: A Scaffolded Approach for Student Success Pencil sketching is one of the most engaging ways to teach art. With its emphasis on values, transitions, and fine details, pencil drawing captures the essence of artistic magic. More importantly, it’s the quickest way to captivate students and build their confidence. Once students realize they […]