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How to Make Student Art Portfolios
DIY Student Art Portfolios Welcome to one of my favorite days to end of the school year. This is not only a day where you can finally pass back alllllll the student art from the year (def enlist your student helpers) but your students will work totally independently on their portfolio while you do. Not only will these big ole portfolios will safely transport home all of the gorgeous art your students have made, but having your kiddos create an end of the year portfolio is the perfect opportunity to recognize, and chat about all of the growth your students have made in their artistic practice. Creating portfolios also teaches students how to take more ownership and care of their work, and allows them to transport and store their artwork from the year in a safe place at home where they can refer back to their work and their growth for years to come. Not to mention is it super fun for them to personalize! Here is How to Make a DIY Student Portfolio: 1. Fold 18 x 24 Manila / tag board paper in half (i just literally order the cheapest biggest paper I can find) 2. Staple 3 x on each side (or just one side depending on how big the art going home is) I usually walk around the room while my students are already decorating their portfolios and staple the sides as they work. That way I don't feel like I have millions of things to prep ahead of time, and I often use their good work habits to my advantage by saying things like "Ok, I'm coming around and stapling the portfolios of the tables that are working the hardest and quietest". BAM. Amazing work habits from my kiddos and I am able to float around, staple and observe. 3. Teach students how to draw their name in bubble letters (and shading their name if they want to). There is just something so empowering about learning how to draw your name in bubble letters, wouldn't you agree? And if you show them how to add shading or highlights? Whewwwww hold onto your hat! They are just BEAMING with pride when they finally "get it"! I have an easy to use "How to Draw Bubble Letters" drawing guide available here that my students just love. 4. Have Students write the year we were in art together (2022- 2023) so that they can easily identify what year they made their artwork. 5. Allow students to draw and customize their portfolios! This can seem tricky because often times when we tell students to draw whatever they want, many struggle with exactly WHAT to draw. So times I will give my students a prompt like "Draw what you are most excited about this summer" Or "Draw what your favorite part of 4th grade was". But you can also give them total freedom! I rarely allowed my students to have "free draw time" so many really enjoyed the freedom. If students wanted a bit more guidance, I always make all of my Drawing Guides available. There is something about watching my students teach themselves how to draw a specific image on their own that really helps build their confidence. It's like I'm teaching them, but from a distance. Sometimes I will put out a few of my more popular guides out on the tables for anyone who needs them, or leave them out on a counter for kiddos to come up and just grab what they need. Totally up to you! You can find my bundle of Drawing Guides available here! 6. If the portfolio paper you are using is thick, have students trace any pencil lines in either black sharpie markers (we love using huge chisel chip markers for this) OR- if your portfolio paper is too thin, just have them draw in a black washable marker. Otherwise, the sharpie marker may bleed through the paper and worse, onto the students' art if there is already artwork inside. I love using Crayola Construction paper crayons to color with because we typically use colored tag board or manilla paper and the construction paper crayons just pop so vibrantly! 6. While students are busy decorating their portfolios myself and some student helpers (either the students who are early finishers or my star students) help pass back allllllll their work! The kiddos working just open their portfolio, slide in their work and keep decorating their portfolios. It’s a win/win! If you haven't had your students transport their artwork home in an end of the year portfolio I highly recommend you give it a try! It reinforces the importance of their work (that you should care how safely your art gets home), teaches them how to recognize and celebrate their improvement over the year, and adds importance to their creations by sending them home in such a thoughtful manner.
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Summer Self Portraits: The Perfect Art Lesson to End the School Year!
Summer is a season of sunshine, warmth, and relaxation. It's also a great time to capture your own image through self-portraiture. Whether your students are in kindergarten through 5th grade, drawing a self-portrait can be a fun and rewarding way for students to express themselves and document their unique features. In this fun and easy drawing guide students will draw themselves living their best summer lives!
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Spring Chick Art Project for Preschoolers/ Pre-K
Spring has sprung, and what better way to celebrate the season of growth and renewal than by indulging in some adorable spring chick art crafts? These feathered friends are the perfect symbol of new beginnings and the fresh start that springtime represents. With their soft, fluffy feathers and sweet chirps, it's no wonder that chicks are a beloved icon of the season. So, let's grab our art supplies and get started!
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Animal Shelter Art Lesson: A Beautiful Way to Advocate for Animals in Need
Are you looking for a fun and creative way to raise awareness about the importance of adopting shelter animals? Look no further than Flower Crown Canines and Cats! This lesson not only teachers how to create beautiful works of art but help raise awareness and encouragement of adoption.
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Animal Rescue Art Show | Teaching "Art Making For Others"
This was one of my absolute favorite, most beautiful and meaningful art projects I have ever done! As a dog love and rescue advocate, to be able to teach my students how to use their art to inspire change and hope to help others has been the most rewarding experience as a teacher. Click here to read about how my students created art for our local animal shelter that raised money and filled hearts!
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11 Ways To Encourage Kids to Create Art on Their Own
Are you looking for ways to encourage your children to create more art on their own? In this blog I am sharing 11 strategies and tips that I use personally to ensure that I am raising my own children to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. Through subtle yet deliberate actions, your little one will be inspired to create in no time!
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How to Organize Fibers Materials in the Art Room
Looking for an efficient system to organize, and dispense fiber and yarn materials in the art room at the elementary level? Well then look no further! Allow me to show you how to create a weaving cart that allows for independence, ownership and accountability in the art room.
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DIY Waterfall Display for an Art Show
Let's learn how to make a DIY waterfall display for a school wide art show. Here you will find the simple steps and materials used to create an area of interest that is sure to elicit all the "oohs and ahhhs" at your next art show! A water element is an fun and interactive way to lure your art show guests in as they enjoy the beautiful art around them!
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Wayne Thiebaud Inspired Delicious Desserts Art Lesson
Let's create an art project inspired by the dessert art work of American artist Wayne Thiebaud. Not only do students learn how to draw 3D shapes but they will learn how to use color combinations and knowledge of shading and light to create an oil pastel dessert still life that looks so good you want to eat it! This art lesson is so fun for students in upper elementary and middle school!
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Black History Portraits | Art Lesson
One of the best ways to celebrate black history month in the art room is by creating a portrait of inspiring black figures both of today and the past. One art lesson that I have used over the years is my folk art portrait lesson. If you are looking to allow your students to have the freedom and flexibility to create a portrait of someone who inspired them, while also providing resources, drawing guides and how to steps to build their confidence, then this lesson is for you!
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10 Items Every Art Teacher Needs to Make Your Art Show *extra* Special
Attention art teachers in need of help in putting on an art show- I have you covered! In this blog I am sharing all of the essential materials, methods and more to ensure the success of your school wide art show!
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A Night In Monet's Garden || Elementary Art Show Inspiration
Looking for inspiration to put on a spring art show? Check out this art show themed around "A Night in Monet's Garden". An art show filled with color, beauty, and created with lots of love and collaboration!
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