Attend an Art Docent introductory training meeting
Read the Art Docent handbook and follow up with any questions you may have
Plan six lessons this year that introduce an element of art or principle of design, some works of art as examples, discuss what they see and then explore the element or principle of art focused on through a project (three for kindergarten)
Work with the teacher and other docents to create a positive experience for each child
Stay within budget or donate the over flow
Before purchasing supplies make sure we don’t already have them in the supplies cabinet
When purchasing items we do ask you to turn in your receipts for two reasons: to keep our program within budget and let us know if our budget is realistic. **We truly appreciate the generosity of our parents BUT we need a true financial account of what it costs to run this program**
What to do first:
Contact your teacher and set up dates to teach lessons for the year. Planning out the whole year in advance is recommended.
You may have an opportunity to integrate your lesson with what they are currently doing in class. It will make both your project and their curriculum more memorable.
Meet with the other docents from your class/grade level to discuss lessons, swap ideas, share prep and coordinate projects.
Decide on the six projects all classrooms will do for your grade level.
If you desire to teach more projects, plan them out and schedule them into the program year for your classroom.
Plan your space: Will you be in the classroom, hallway or flex space? Reserve flex spaces ahead of time
Art lesson Rules:
Have fun
There are no wrong answers when discussing art, support and encourage all reasonable views
Your students are the artists. Let them independently complete the project.
Know your age level and adapt the lesson accordingly
Use Step by Step visual instructions and Keep It Simple when teaching to young students.
Focus on the process of the art project, not the end product or appearance of the product.
Teaching the lesson:
One week before:
Meet with your co-docents to practice the lesson. Resources can be found in the PTSA office totes, grade level lessons online, the library or websites
Curriculum is in the grade level binders with the art projects
Check availability of your space i.e.; classroom, flex space, or hall. Projects can be broken into multiple sessions if needed
Email your teacher to remind them of your visit and if you need anything in particular. Let them know whether they need to inform parents about appropriate attire for messy projects.
Ask for other parent volunteers through your classroom Room Parent if needed
Send email to volunteers who are helping you on the day of your lesson, with when to arrive, how long to expect to be there, and what help is needed for this lesson. Keep them involved! You might be able to turn them into a classroom lead docent next year!
Check the classroom for supplies first. They often have scissors, pens, pencils, rulers; water color paints and paper
Make a demo at home so you know what to expect from the materials and how long it takes
Choose your visual aids: PowerPoint lessons (make sure that you know how to run it through your teacher's computer and overhead projector.)
Gather your tools and supplies
Find out where to dry your projects if needed
Coordinate with the teacher to put up your projects up outside the classroom. Make a label for the art on the wall and retain it for Art Walk. It’s your kid’s art gallery!
One hour before class:
Prep outside of class or in the Flex space if the class is in session. If you have scheduled your time after a recess or specialist time you may be able prep in class.
Lesson Time:
Introduce yourself and your helpers
Explain what you are going to do
talk about the art
how to be an artist
how to clean up
Tell them which element or principle of art you are focusing on
Show visual aids, examples/slides/posters
Ask open ended questions
What do you think is the title to this art piece? Why?
How does this artwork make you feel? Happy? Sad? Excited? Confused? Curious?
Does the picture make you feel hot or cold?
If the artist selected different colors, would it change the feel of the art piece? How?
What time of day is this?
What season is this?
What period of art? Impressionism, Dadaism, Renaissance
Which way is up? (abstract art)
What was the artist thinking when creating this work of art?
What shapes do you see?
Is there movement in the painting? Where? How does the artist convey movement?
If you walked into this painting, where would you be?
What is the artist’s most important message?
What materials were used to make this art?
How did the artist create this piece?
There are no wrong answers when discussing art (only inappropriate ones)
Have the students sign their art work first thing, often on the back, so that you can get it back to them later
Praise their work by noticing something specific about it
Take pictures of the kids while they work if you can (share these with the teacher for yearbook or class memory books)
Allow time for clean up
Teaching schedules are tight so please be respectful of the time you are allotted.
After the lesson:
Finish clean up
Put away clean materials in an orderly manner in the cabinets
Please clean out all paint brushes using soap and water, as they do get used by a large number of people
Discuss with your fellow volunteers how it went and what could be improved; make notes on lesson plans
Set aside two or three lessons to show for the art walk
Turn in any receipts with the PTA form and envelope
* Turn in your notes and your art example to your Grade Level Docent for future use by other docents. This program only gets better when we build on each other’s success.*
Kiln work:
4th & 5th Grade can do a glass project
One clay project per class
Only those people who attended the training may run the kiln
This is due to the insurance coverage of the school district
If you need help ask your coordinator
More trainings will be scheduled
The Kiln is reserved for each grade for one month.
November - Kindergarten
December - 5th Grade Fused Glass
January - 1st Grade
February - 2nd Grade
March - 5th Grade
April - 4th Grade
May - 3rd Grade
The kiln is scheduled in this order to keep within our clay budget. The projects that do not use Slab Rolled clay, will use the scraps and leftover clay from those that do use the Slab Rolled Clay. Make sure to keep scraps tightly sealed in a moist enclosure.
The PTSA is the school's Parent Teacher Student Association. We are a registered not-for-profit comprised of parent volunteers, just like you, who help provide many programs and events at Creekside.
