What is Art?

In my experience, after kindergarten, many students come to the conclusion that they are not good at art. By first or second grade, students have already identified who is 'good at art' in their class. This year I wanted to break that stereotype a little bit and talk about what all is encompassed by the word ART.

So each upper level class started by talking at their tables about what they think about when they hear the word art. Then each table shared out and we made a giant class list on the board. We then watched a small video, which is really made for young students, but which all the classes enjoyed called Small Potatoes (shout out to Chloe Green for the tip!).
After watching the video, students got a sticky note and wrote down a sentence or two or even drew a picture about what they think art is. When they finished they trouped out to the hallway to stick it onto one of two bulletin boards so that the whole community can see what we came up with.
After they stuck it, I had them pick one other sticky note that was already up there that they thought was cool and remember it to share with the class when they came back inside. That way everyone was sharing and reading other's ideas.





The message that I hope came across to all the kids is art is really anything. People paint with words and beauty is shown in movement. Anything from dance to tattoos is art.


You don't have to be good at drawing or painting to be an artist.

Small Potatoes Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl2Hv8yy7ZY