So I Have Signed Up.... Now What?!

Once you have registered, you will receive an email from the OH Chairperson verifying your artist/month and detailing the next steps (also listed below). 

 *If you have chosen October as a presentation month, you will need to contact your child's teacher to determine a mutually convenient time to schedule an Art Smart presentation.  For K-1 plan on about 30 minutes and 2-4th grades about 30-60 minutes of in class time.

**Once the Artsmart chairperson has verified your artist selection (and that no one else has already volunteered for that month), begin researching your artist! Under the tab above marked "Portfolios/Materials" you can view information/ideas used by other Artsmart volunteers. If there are lesson plans available for that artist from a previous volunteer, it will be noted in that area.  

Often there is a lot of information online just by searching "<artist name> for elementary students." Take advantage of online art websites (especially those created by primary school teachers or art museums) for biographical information and activity ideas.  The Novi Library has a nice collection of juvenile art books-this is especially good for the younger students! 

For many of the artists we have portfolios with art samples available at Orchard Hills. You are not required to use these (and many of the samples are now readily available digitally if you plan to create a google slide presentation). Stop by the school office to get the key and sign out the artist portfolio if you are interested.

***Although not necessary, the kids often enjoy a short hands on activity or game after viewing/talking about the art.  Any ideas offered by previous volunteers will be listed on the link from the "Portfolios/Materials" page. There are also a lot of examples available online. The activities/projects should be short and "clean" (i.e. easy and quick to clean up!) For example, a 1st grade activity after learning about Joan Miro may include a "Roll a Miro" sample using dice to determine each feature of the character (worksheet is included in our materials).

****Visit your child's classroom as an Art Smart volunteer!  Our Orchard Hills students are bright and curious, and they look forward to these visits. Relax and enjoy interacting with the kids! There are no quizzes on what they learned-you do not need to show every sample of artwork, or give every fact about the artist's life.

If you borrow a portfolio, Don't forget to return it to the store room on your way out!  If you have the time, please consider sharing what went well with the ArtSmart chairperson via email ohartsmart@gmail.com.  We are happy to add your great ideas to our website to help other parent volunteers!