Teachers & students benefit from using classroom drawing activities! Find out why and get tutorials and directed drawing resources (FREE ones included).
Have you tried classroom directed drawing?
Our littlest learners are being asked daily to draw pictures that correspond to their learning, and many just do not feel like they do it well.
Daily I would hear phrases like “But I can’t draw” or “I don’t know how to draw!”
Can you relate?
As teachers, we don’t want to hear negative self-talk from our students.
This frustration can lead to a lack of interest and effort in work production. Kids need to feel empowered to accomplish the tasks presented to them.
I knew I had to do something to make drawing a positive experience. So I started creating and teaching directed drawings.
The results have been incredible! Read on to find out why!
5 Important Reasons to Try Classroom Directed Drawing
1. There is room for classroom drawing!
I sometimes hear teachers say “But it doesn’t fit in with the curriculum!” or “When will I find time to do them?”
My answer is always that directed drawings are incredibly versatile. They can be used in many different ways.
My suggestion is to combine it with your classroom theme or topic you are studying in social studies, science, or language arts and go from there. Relate the art activity to a math concept you are teaching or draw a character from a book you are studying. Draw a character and write a story about it. The options are endless.
2. The skills they learn translate to their own drawings.
Each year after we start directed drawings, I begin to notice their confidence level grow. After they’ve been led through a few directed drawings, they can begin to use what they’ve learned to create artwork of their own. It makes my teacher heart happy when I see my students use a skill or drawing trick on their own.
3. Classroom drawing helps build important skills!
Directed drawings provide children with a ton of practice in following directions and paying attention to detail. Children need to listen and follow instructions closely while paying close attention to details or they might miss a step.
4. Classroom drawing produces amazing results!
Directed, classroom drawings produce masterpieces.
Plain and simple!
Every child’s artwork is unique and special to them. There’s no better way to decorate your classroom walls. Hang the artwork in the hallway for the school community to see and appreciate.
5. Kids see themselves as artists!
Not only do they produce great results, but kids feel confident and identify themselves as ARTISTS. They are producing artwork for their classroom that is unique and beautiful, not some coloring page or cookie-cutter craft.
Directed drawings are huge self-esteem boosters, especially for our students who struggle in other academic areas. Directed drawings give them an outlet to express themselves and shine!
I was guilty of thinking I lacked my own artistic skills, but drawing in a step-by-step way helped me change my attitude. What I say to other teachers who may be feeling the same way….If they can do it, you can do it too!
Ready to try directed drawings in your classroom?
The basic principals are to teach each individual part step by step and to MODEL this for your students! Praise them for their efforts and uniqueness.
For more tips and strategies, see the resources below!
Resources for Teaching Classroom Drawing
Drawing Mats – Weekly Classroom Drawing Activity
Drawing Mats provide a lot of practice each week building drawing skills and following step-by-step instructions. The different directed Drawing Mats can be used for your art lessons, independent drawing activities, or combined with seasonal writing. Students can also color or paint their creations after drawing or write a story about the character they created.
Watch this video to see Drawing Mats in action!
*Drawing Mats are perfect for independent, fine motor practice and build beginner drawing skills. They increase confidence and kids love them!
*Drawing Mats are for all primary grades (K-3)!
*They are differentiated to meet the needs of your learners. With the different variations, there is something for all.
*The directed drawings are seasonal and connected to holidays and celebrations.
*Each directed drawing can be completed on the sheets provided or separately as a whole class art lesson.
*They work great as independent or whole-group activities, to complement writing, and as art lessons.
Alpha-Draw Directed Drawing Resource
Help kids learn to draw with the Alpha-Draw directed drawing resource. Teach and reinforce the letters of the alphabet and build drawing skills with two different directed draws for each letter. Tons of variations provided to build drawing confidence. Kids will love creating their own a mini-booklet, writing stories to go with their drawings, and practicing their printing with the included options.
Watch this video to see Alpha-Draw in action!
Looking for more classroom drawing ideas?
The ultimate guide to teaching directed drawing in the classroom. Directed drawing art activities help kids produce masterpieces and build confidence. This guide provides a listing of directed drawing resources, suggested materials, and FREE step by step tutorials. Click HERE to check it out!
Classroom Drawing Tutorials & Tips
The following directed drawing tutorials provide tips for setting up, strategies for teaching a directed drawing lesson, and FREE step-by-step instructions.
Turkey Directed Drawing
Snowman Directed Drawing
Groundhog Directed Drawing
School Bus Directed Drawing
Easter Bunny Directed Drawing
Butterfly Directed Drawing
Franken-buddy Directed Drawing
Leprechaun Directed Drawing
Santa Claus Directed Drawing
Directed Drawing Calendar – The Perfect Gift!
Create a directed drawing calendar full of a child’s drawings for the year to give a family member as a perfect keepsake gift. Great this calendar resource for FREE with purchase of the Directed Drawing Mats bundle!
I hope you enjoyed this post! If you would like more tips and ideas from me, be sure to follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to stay connected with the latest news and freebies!
Grab a FREE Directed Drawing activity to try!
These fun drawing activities are great for teaching kids how to draw at school and at home. Drawing Mats teach kids to draw in a step-by-step way without the need for video consumption or a lot of prep work!
Click the link below and get your free copy of the school bus Directed Drawing Mats!
MORE Classroom Drawing Resources
Leprechaun Directed Drawing for St. Patrick’s Day
Snowman Directed Drawing Art Activity
Turkey/Thanksgiving Directed Drawing
Frankenstein Franken Buddies Directed Drawing
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FREE Directed Drawing Email Series
Sign up for the directed drawing email series filled with tips to get you started, strategies for success, and tons of FREE tutorials you can access right away. Everything you need to build drawing confidence and have fun at the same time!
