Parent or Special Person Response to Art
Dear Parents,
One of my main goals in teaching art is to get my students to appreciate art. Appreciating art begins with their own art. I am very proud of each and every one of my students. They may not all end up being great artists – but they all can be great at appreciating fine art. Each time as I send work home, take a minute or two to talk about it with your child. No need to record the discussion.
Today I am sending home _____________________________________
_____ I have saved this project for display and will send home later.
_____ I have saved this project for the art show and will return after the show.
My main objectives in this lesson were:
(Fill in a few – keep it short)
Here are some sample questions to get you started – or come up with your own:
Tell me about the colors in this work of art. What do they mean to you?
What kind of mood or feeling are you trying to express?
Does your work have a title? What is it?
What meaning does this work of art have to you?
What did you like about doing this work of art?
If you were to do this project again, what would you do differently?
Thank you for taking the time to discuss this project with your child.
Sincerely,
Child’s name ______________________________ Class ______________
Parent Signature ___________________________ Date_______________
Comments:
Suggestions from Art Ed List members:
From Kerry Marquis: This takes a little time, but I found that it works for getting even most high school students to take work home. If it was a work on paper, I would get students working on something in class that did not take too much attention from me. Then I would go student to student with newsprint which I would lay their artwork on and with much ado carefully roll it up within the newsprint, tape it and write their name on the outside with marker. I did this to show my appreciation of their work and chatted approvingly about it to them as I did so. Most took their art with them when they left class. Hope this helps.
From Grace Hall - High School: I just tell my students from the beginning that if their artwork is found in my garbage can or any other on this campus, I will go into my grade book and take back the grade I gave them on that project. I do this because if the artwork wasn't worth keeping and showing off to parents, then it must not really be worth the points I gave it in my grade book. Since then I haven't found any artwork stashed, left in the room, or thrown in the can. I also explain to them that I inherited some of my grandmother's artwork, and that it is absolutely priceless to me. I tell them to imagine what their children will think of their sketchbook, or old art projects 25 years from now.
From Judy Decker: I had all of the custodians on my side. Anytime they found a work of art in the trash, they brought it to my room. Students were NOT allowed to throw away art at school. I would call the parent and discuss the problem and the next day the child would sheepishly come to me and tell me their mom wanted to see their project. Parents often came in to pick up the ceramic work left behind if they wanted that. One of the teachers would keep unwanted work and display in her room. This was especially nice for lessons designed around her social studies units. I enjoyed seeing the student work brought out each year.
From Sandra: I take off points on the grade if I find their work in any of my trashcans in the art room. I told them this prior to starting the week that I came in, because the previous teacher told me how disrespectful they were doing it in front of her, so I said to the class, fine, I'll take points off your final grade, if I find it. Therefore there isn't any work getting thrown out (at least in class). At home it's up to them. I always though it was horrible that parents would carelessly look at their kids work and throw it away (not at this school, but previous years I had parents admit, Oh I know I shouldn't but I just don't want all that work so I throw it out when they aren't around. Then others frame and mat the work and are very proud about their child's work. I guess there should be 5-10 minute lecture on art appreciation of your child's work and what they bring home from school does matter. Try to talk to all parents at an open house or an art show, or someplace they congregate so you can talk to the ones who never come to the art shows. It's no wonder they don't take it home.
