I have found that guided drawing lessons are beneficial for
middle school students for several reasons. Firstly, they provide a structured
and supportive environment for students to explore their creativity and develop
their artistic skills. I call these lessons: The one and done lesson. They are
great to teach before a break. (Holidays, Spring Break, Exams, etc…) These
lessons offer step-by-step instructions and demonstrations, helping students
gain confidence in their drawing abilities and encouraging them to express
themselves artistically.
Additionally, guided drawing lessons can enhance cognitive skills such as concentration, attention to detail, and spatial awareness. Have you ever taught a lesson using this method? I get tickled because many students will say – “hold up and pause, I need to get caught up”. As students follow along with the virtual instructor, they learn to observe and analyze visual information, improving their ability to perceive and interpret the world around them. This is huge because they must pay attention to keep up!
I feel guided drawing lessons promote relaxation and stress relief, serving as a therapeutic outlet for students to unwind and alleviate academic pressures. Engaging in artistic activities has been shown to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of well-being, making it especially beneficial for adolescents navigating the challenges of middle school. Normally, my class is pretty loud. Kids aren’t being rude they are just being social. I get it. I allow it, but on these days when there is little to no chatter and a hard lesson lift. It makes thankful for those willing to get outside of their comfort zone and produce!
Furthermore, guided drawing lessons foster collaboration and communication among students as they share their artwork, provide feedback to their peers, and collaborate on group projects. These interactions promote social skills and teamwork, creating a supportive community within the classroom. They often say what step did I miss or how did you do that and so on…this leads to good conversations at each individual tables.
Overall, to me guided drawing lessons offer middle school students a multitude of benefits, from enhancing artistic skills and cognitive abilities to promoting emotional well-being and social development. Integrating these lessons into the curriculum can enrich the learning experience and provide students with valuable tools for personal and academic growth. Bonus, if taught right before a break there is less mess to clean up 😉
Objective:
Students will develop their drawing skills and creativity by following along
with a guided drawing lesson sourced from YouTube. They will use basic shapes
and lines to create a unique piece of artwork while exploring the principles of
composition and design. This lesson aligns with the National Standards for
Visual Arts, focusing on creating, presenting, and responding to visual art.
Materials
Needed:
- Paper
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Internet access
(for YouTube video)
- Optional:
Colored pencils or markers for adding color to their drawings
Procedure:
- Introduction (5'ish minutes):
- Begin by
discussing the importance of exploring creativity and developing artistic
skills. Emphasize that everyone has the ability to create art, and there
are no right or wrong ways to express oneself through drawing.
- Introduce the
concept of guided drawing and explain that students will be following
along with a video tutorial to create their artwork.
- Guided Drawing
Activity (30'ish minutes):
- Access a
pre-selected guided drawing video from YouTube that is suitable for
middle school students. Choose a video that focuses on basic shapes and
lines, providing step-by-step instructions.
- Play the video
and encourage students to follow along with the instructor, pausing when
necessary to ensure everyone can keep up.
- As students
work on their drawings, circulate around the room to provide assistance
and encouragement. Offer tips on technique and composition as needed.
- Encourage
students to experiment with their drawings, adding their own creative
touches and personalizing their artwork.
- Reflection and
Sharing (15'ish minutes):
- Once the
guided drawing activity is complete, gather the students together for a
reflection session.
- Ask students
to share their thoughts on the experience. What did they enjoy about the
guided drawing activity? Did they encounter any challenges? How did they
overcome them?
- Invite
volunteers to share their drawings with the class, highlighting unique
elements and creative interpretations.
- Facilitate a
discussion on the importance of practice and perseverance in developing
artistic skills. Emphasize that mistakes are a natural part of the
creative process and encourage students to embrace them as opportunities
for growth.
- I am not going to lie, I am always rushed in this part of my lesson. So good luck to you all!
Assessment:
Assessment for this lesson can be informal, focusing on student participation,
engagement, and willingness to explore and experiment with their drawings.
Encourage students to reflect on their progress and growth throughout the
activity, emphasizing effort and creativity rather than achieving a perfect end
result.
National
Standards for Visual Arts Alignment:
- Creating:
Students will demonstrate their ability to create original artworks using
basic shapes and lines, applying principles of composition and design.
- Presenting:
Students will present their artwork to their peers, sharing their creative
process and discussing their interpretations.
- Responding:
Students will reflect on their experiences with guided drawing,
identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and exploring connections
between their artwork and personal experiences or emotions.
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