Ahhhh… summer. Just reading the word kind of makes your shoulders relax a little, doesn’t it? If, like many of us, you’re in the middle of a full and busy summer, why not consider taking some time to simply slow down and enjoy all that this season has to offer?

One very simple way to slow yourself down is the practice of sketching. I’m not talking about producing art masterpieces here, but actually quite the opposite. This type of drawing should be done only for you, and doesn’t need to be shown to anyone else. Ideally, this experience is really more about the process, than the end product.

To begin, simply sit quietly, and begin to carefully and thoughtfully observe your surroundings. Let your eyes fall on something that pleases you or looks interesting. Then, working with whatever supplies you have on hand, like a pencil and a sheet of copy paper, begin to sketch what you see in front of you. Go slowly and let your eyes move over the surface or surfaces of whatever you are looking at, and just draw one bit at a time. Really concentrate on that you actually see in front of you, and not what your mind tells you is there. When done right, this type of drawing really puts you in the present moment and blocks out other thoughts. As you work, give yourself permission to move from subject to subject without the pressure of producing finished, photorealistic drawings. Just think of it as a chance to see and explore shapes, lines, textures and colors.

As soon as you’ve tried this yourself, and maybe even without having to try it, the important and profound benefits of such an activity for children are obvious. Students who are regularly involved in this type of simple drawing experience will:

• improve their ability to focus for extended periods of time
• increase their observation skills
• engage in authentic critical thinking and problem solving
• develop small muscle coordination in the hand, wrist, and arm
• experience increased confidence in their own drawing skills
• develop an appreciation of art produced by others

So as July turns into August, and a teacher’s thoughts inevitably turn toward the upcoming school year, consider “slowing down” your students for short periods of time with some simple observational sketching. The benefits for them will be well worth it.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like fall here in Northern California where I live. Finally! If leaves are changing and dropping where you live, this is a perfect time to collect a few and introduce your students to the idea of texture rubbings.

After almost 20 years of teaching, I’m constantly surprised by how many children, from first grade through high school, have NEVER created a texture rubbing! This art experience couldn’t be any easier, and the results will most certainly surprise and delight.

All you need to successfully complete this experience is some plain white copy paper, crayons (broken into small-ish chunks with their paper “labels” peeled off), and some leaves. (Of course you can do this with any small items that have an interesting texture, but it’s particularly fun with leaves this time of year.)

Place a leaf on the surface of your table or desk, then place your sheet of paper on top of that. Holding your paper firmly in place, use your crayon on its SIDE (not the point) and carefully rub the crayon over your paper. Gradually the image of your leaf will begin to appear on your paper as if by magic! No matter how many times you do this, it’s still pretty neat!

Explore layering on different colors, and using multiple leaves to create an interesting composition.

These look amazing displayed in a classroom, library, cafeteria, office or hallway. This easy art experience is a fun and exciting way to bring a little bit of fall inside. Try it! Your students will love it!

If you’re a teacher or homeschooler looking for some affordable and convenient professional development, head on over here and check out my courses offered through Fresno Pacific University. (No previous art experience necessary or required!)

As we move squarely into summer… have you made your professional development plans yet? I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late! Register today for one or more of my affordable, convenient, and self-paced art courses through Fresno Pacific University, and your materials will be delivered via email within 48 hours — which means you can get started on your class right away if you’d like to. But don’t fret if the summer slips away from you before you finish the class, because you have one year from your registration date to complete your work. These classes fit into YOUR life and schedule.

The registration process is easy! Just click here for a complete list of my classes. Absolutely no art experience or training is required. You’ll have fun making art following the step-by-step lesson plans, plus you’ll love learning how easy it is to connect art to other subjects in your curriculum.

I can’t wait to “see” you in class!

I recently received some encouragement from a friend of mine about my blog. Her comments were simple… that she enjoyed reading my posts, that they made her want to teach, and that she thought I was really doing an excellent job. It was her next words that struck me… she said, “I just had to tell you”.

I’d been feeling a little uninspired about my blog, and my friend’s encouraging words, plus the fact that she “just had to tell me” gave my heart such a lift! Not only was my friend enjoying my efforts, but she felt compelled to tell me about it and actually acted on it. Needless to say, her thoughtful words motivated me.

This is an important lesson for us as teachers — not to mention as human beings — but as teachers most especially. We have the power EVERY DAY in our classrooms to lift our students up with meaningful, authentic words of encouragement. Perhaps more than any curriculum we teach, the ability to encourage our students is a gift that should not be overlooked. Our words may be just the thing to help a struggling student have the courage to try something — once again — that has been challenging for them in the past.

In the realm of art education, the idea of encouragement is especially profound. Since art is an area of the curriculum where expressions are highly personal, making oneself vulnerable can be very scary to say the least. Supportive encouragement given throughout the artistic process can provide a safe place for creative thinking and exploration. (Which is not to say “anything goes”, or minimal effort is acceptable, but when an honest effort is being made, it should be recognized regardless of whether or not the final outcome is “successful”.)

So I leave you with the challenge to look for simple, meaningful ways you can frequently share the gift of encouragement with your students. I also wish to thank my dear friend for her gift of encouraging words to me.  🙂