MANAGING THE ART ROOM

Kelcey Coveyou

While my kindergarten through fourth-grade students had been amazing with nearly every aspect of TAB, I struggled with choice-based art classes for grades five through eight. Many students were unmotivated, seemed indifferent, or overwhelmed by too many options. I realized they needed a place to safely explore choices and take ownership of their work—a classroom that supported both independence and guidance.

I teach something new every art class session. These mini-lessons work well with all grade levels. Once finished, each student moves on to independent art-making. My K–4 students typically transition seamlessly. However, for grades 5–8 students, challenges arose.

Yes, some students were excited and got right to work on their art; this was always validating. Unfortunately, some students would completely check out as if thinking, “I did what you asked, now I’m done.” Others were downright dismissive, no matter how I tried to motivate them. I became frustrated when I saw students socializing instead of working.

The classroom became a safe and inspiring place where students navigated their own artistic journeys.

I bounced around the room like a pinball, observing, suggesting, and contemplating. I tried to offer personalized suggestions to motivate the unmotivated. Despite my best efforts, the results were inconsistent. Something had to change, or I would have to revert to teacher-directed projects.

I realized that some students were frozen by too many options, while others were ready to be completely in charge of their art-making. I needed a structure that balanced choice with guidance. That’s when Choose Your ArtVenture was born.

Students would select one of the following four paths every day:

• Path 1: Finish Art  Continue or finish a current artwork.
• Path 2: Assignment  Complete an assignment based on today’s art lesson.
• Path 3: Studio Choices  Choose from prompts on the Studio Choice Board.
• Path 4: Full Choice  Choose your own media, subject, and timeline. (Requires proposal form or brief conference.)

I created a poster with the four paths, taped ten idea starters to cabinet doors for the Studio Choice Board (prompts would change periodically), and made a simple proposal form for full-choice students to share their ideas for me to approve.

I began my next class by explaining the system with a simple slideshow featuring the poster, ten prompts from the Studio Choice Board with images, and the proposal form, clearly stating expectations. Students who were unsure or preferred guidance would complete Path 2.

Once the system was in place, students moved with focus, gathered materials, set up their workspace, and got right to work. The classroom became a safe and inspiring place where students navigated their own artistic journeys, choosing paths that fit their confidence and creativity.

Once students understood the structure, the classroom shifted dramatically. Previously unmotivated students became fully engaged, setting up their workspaces and creating independently. Motivated students continued behaving like artists, often rising to the occasion with more advanced ideas and creations. Behavior issues almost completely disappeared. It was an instant and impressive shift that was incredible to witness.

This structure transformed our classroom into a creative space where students could explore, take risks, and make meaningful choices. I hope you experience a similar shift in your classroom when you incorporate all or even some of the elements from Choose Your ArtVenture.

Kelcey Coveyou is an art teacher at Blackbird Elementary School in Harbor Springs, Michigan. kelcey@coveyoucomputer.com