All About Me

What Can You Do to Help Your Child Succeed in Art Class?

I found this letter online that a Art teacher wrote and loved it, (I DID NOT WRITE IT!).  It says exactly what I would of wanted to. 

- at: https://mgreenasuprep.weebly.com/letter-to-my-students-parentsguardians.html

Here are a Few Suggestions:

1. Please don’t tell your child, “I can’t even draw a stick figure” or “I was never good at art.” . 

The truth is you can draw a stick figure. You can draw more than you give yourself credit for. I am sorry that somewhere on your creative voyage someone made you feel less than confident in your abilities. Please don’t do the same to your child.

2. Please don’t expect your son or daughter to have a 100% in art class because “It’s just Art Class.” .

Art is hard work. It might be harder than math or science because there are no right answers. This is a special class where your child must create a solution. When report cards come out, remember that a 100% in art class would be a near perfect grade, and that is incredibly difficult to achieve. Sometimes in art, we learn as much from what didn’t work as we do from what did.

3. Please don’t toss your child’s artwork in the trash.

I understand that you can’t possibly keep everything. Trust me, I know, but I also know that when your child sees you discard their work, it makes them feel like their ideas and hard work just aren’t good enough. Take a minute to look at their creations, have your child save their favorite one or two. Additionally, save your favorite one and talk to them about why we can’t save everything. This simple act goes a long way to boost their confidence in their ability to be an artist.

*Note from Mrs. Kemp - In my home, our garage walls became a gallery.

4. Please treat "Art Class" with the same respect as any other class.

Don’t downplay the value of art or art class. Artists play a part in the design of everything we use throughout the day. From our morning coffee cup to our new outfit, from our homes to our office buildings and schools… an artist made all those things or, at least, made them better.

5. What does Art Class teach? 

It teaches students how to observe, experiment, self-evaluate, reflect, persevere, innovate, envision solutions and problem solve, appreciate, craftsmanship, and, yes, even how to clean up.

I wanted to create this site, so that you and all of the other parents can see some of the art work the children at St. Michaels have created. Not every project we did in class is on this site. 

Here are some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy!