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Art Enrichment

 
 
 

The Art Enrichment Program has a wonderful, long tradition in District 102. Sponsored by the PTC, this educational program is organized and conducted by a team of parent volunteers. The program exposes students to many artists and artistic styles and serves as a supplement to the current art curriculum. Each year parent volunteers enter classrooms and introduce students to particular artists or artistic styles in a fun and creative manner. The program not only educates, but encourages artistic expression and sparks creativity.

A basic curriculum with lesson plans is in place to give guidance by grade level and offer introductory information about artists. Supplies are available in the art closet. You don't need to have a degree in art or art history to participate. You just need to enjoy introducing new things to students in a fun and engaging style.

how does the program work?

Four times per year, volunteers and students learn about artists and their artwork through a variety of visual aids and a fun, age-appropriate art project in the artist’s style. The four lessons dates are selected by the teachers, spread out during the year, and each lesson lasts about one hour. This year we will meet twice in the homeroom classroom space and twice in Mr. Noffisinger’s and Mrs. Holdman's art room with each class. We are excited about getting to use the art studio space for our program. Note: Kindergarten will still meet four times in the homeroom classroom. In late August/early September, parents from each classroom will have a chance to volunteer using Sign Up Genius. If you missed this cut-off date and would like to volunteer, please email the Committee Chair.

As an extension of the Art Enrichment Program this year, we are in the process of setting up walking field trips for 3rd and 6th grades to tour the nearby Nettie McKinnon Art Gallery at Park Junior High.

Volunteer positions

Class Lead: This parent works with the PTC Art Enrichment Chairs to provide scheduling and communication to volunteers in their classrooms. The Class Lead duties are as follows:

  • Contact parent volunteers via e-mail to cover lesson dates and coordinate volunteers to either lead or help with lesson using parent preferences for dates/times

  • Send final schedule to volunteers, teachers and PTC Art Enrichment Chairs

  • Send reminders to teachers, Lesson Leads and Lesson Helpers one week prior to lesson date to make sure everyone is on schedule

Class Leads can, but do not have to, volunteer as a Lesson Lead or Lesson Helper.

Lesson Lead: This volunteer leads the lesson with a presentation on the artist/type of art and provides instructions for creating the art project.

Lesson Helper: This volunteer is responsible for helping the Lesson Lead with instruction, the art lesson itself as well as set up and clean up in the classroom.

In early October, the Class Lead will reach out to volunteers with the four lesson dates/times chosen by the teachers. At this time, Volunteers choose their dates and decide if they want to be a Lesson Lead or Lesson Helper. For each classroom, there is a minimum of 2 volunteers needed per one-hour lesson and parents usually sign up for two time slots.

More information on committee responsibilities and the program timeline can be found here.

PLAN A LESSON

 

The Lesson Lead is responsible for prepping and leading the lesson. This volunteer must teach a lesson focused on the specific assigned artist or art style.  Lessons tend to follow this generic curriculum outline which includes a discussion, hands on art project and conclusion that can be completed in one hour. Previous lessons, presentation tools and art supplies can be found either online or in the art closet. Feel free to embellish lessons by adding your own flair and have fun!

TEACHING MATERIALS

 The art closet is located across from the music room. The key to the art closet is kept in the front office by the sign in sheet. Each grade has four art bags that contain research on each artist or art topic, a folder with background, lesson plans (at least one plan is posted online, but more plans can be found in the art bag), art project examples and books. Posters/oversized images available for some lessons; these are found in the large metal V shaped holder against the far end of the art closet. Supplies are also located in the art closet on shelves indicated with orange tape. Supplies in closet match the online posted activity. We can not guarantee all activities in the bag have supplies in the closet. If you need additional supplies, check with the Committee Chair for instructions.

PROCEDURES

If you need to check out an art bag from the closet, please sign check out card and leave it in the card file. This is important so others can contact you if they need the bag. Please be aware of the entire grade's scheduling. Certain grades have lessons for the same artist on the same day at different times. Be courteous and don't check out a bag when another class may need it for their lesson.

One week before the lesson date, the Class Lead will send an e-mail reminder to your teacher and all volunteers. At this time, Lesson Leads should prepare their lesson discussion and locate supplies needed in the art closet. Lesson Leads can give helpers a preview of the lesson and ask for help.

Be on time, since teachers may have the class on a tight schedule. Have fun, be flexible and see where the discussion leads. Let the ideas, insights and inspirations of the class lead the way. See other helpful hints here.

Before the end of class, attach a description of the artist and/or project to each student’s artwork. This gives parents talking points to discuss the art lesson and their child’s artwork at home. Hold the second art project in the teacher's classroom to be displayed at Ogden's Success Night Art Show. Send the other three lessons home on the day of the lesson.

Please share any newly created lesson plans or suggestions with Committee Chair to update bags and website.

Success Night Art Show

In the Spring as part of Success Night/Spring Open House, we host an art fair to display each classroom’s art enrichment artwork. Each classroom will display the February lesson of that school year in the Art Show. A volunteer from each classroom will hang up and take down their classroom's art.

Thank you for volunteering for Ogden’s Art Enrichment Program!