Art looks great in a classroom and is a fun subject to teach, but storing student art can be hard to figure out as the school year goes on. I send home each assignment after it has been displayed in the classroom or around the school. Some teachers have to keep all of the artwork and send it home at certain times, which means they need an efficient and simple way for storing student art.
In this blog post, I want to share some ideas for storing student art in the classroom, a fast-finisher art activity, and simple ways you can incorporate art into your lessons without feeling overwhelmed.
Simple Ideas for Storing Student Art
Here are six tips for storing student art in your classroom:
One: Use Hanging File Folders
Give each student their own file folder, and place all of the folders in hanging file folders. Buy a separate hanging file folder crate to keep the art organized by class and to free up space in your real filing cabinets.
Two: Use Pizza Boxes
My school has pizza day once a month. Ask your custodian to save you enough boxes for a class set. Students can decorate the outside of the pizza box as an art or early finisher activity. You could also call your local pizza restaurant and see if you can purchase a class set at a reduced cost.
Three: Make Large Folders
This way of storing student art can be done using poster board or large sheets of construction paper. Staple two pieces of paper together along three sides. Have students decorate the front of their folders. Store the folders in an art drying rack or an upside-down desk.
Four: Use Zipper-Close Plastic Bags
I love freezer and giant-size zipper-close plastic bags. I use them for sorting student art – and everything else (see this blog post) in my classroom. Write each student’s name on the bag, place it in a plastic bin, and all artwork can be kept safe in these bags.
Five: Use Magazine Holder Boxes
You can also create your own magazine holder boxes for storing student art using cereal boxes by making a diagonal cut from the top to halfway down. Provide each student with their own box that they can use to store their artwork.
Six: Use a Drying Rack – Or Create a Makeshift Drying Rack
I do not have a drying rack in my classroom, nor would I have room for one. I use magnet clips that stick to my whiteboard as my drying rack for paper art projects. Once students finish their art piece, they write their name on it with a black marker and hang it on the whiteboard. Students love to admire each other’s art while it is drying.
In addition to storing student art, it can be helping to have creative fast-finisher assignments at the ready for art class.
Fast Finisher Art Activity – Art Sketchbook Assignment
This Art Sketchbook Assignment is my favourite faster-fisher assignment because it still enables students to be productive and creative. Since students work on their art projects at different paces, it is important that students have something meaningful to work on when they are done with their art projects.
I assign this sketchbook assignment as a yearlong assignment. I divide the school year up into thirds and set 3 different due dates. A sketchbook is a great tool for students to develop their artistic abilities. It is also really good to leave for a supply teacher if you are going to be away. Once students understand and practice this assignment, they can work independently.
This resource includes:
- 60 Sketch Suggestions
- Teacher and Student Instructions
- Assignment Sheet
- Assessment Rubric
Here’s what teachers have said about this assignment:
“Wonderful, neat packet. Students enjoyed it. Easy rubrics to follow included. I used this after introducing elements of art. Students were given class time and were able to have freedom in their art. Very fun, engaging idea.” – Tanya S.
“My students are so excited about this assignment. They ask me about it all the time and want to work on their sketches during any spare moment they have. I have to slow many kids down as they want to do more than 5 at a time but I’m telling them to make sure they get my feedback first. They love it! Will definitely continue implementing this project year after year.” – Stephanie M.
You can find the Art Sketchbook Assignment on Shopify CAD and Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
Another way students can be artistic can be through creating art for others. This free Kindness Challenge provides many ways that students can spread kindness throughout their classroom, school, or neighbourhood. This can include creating homemade thank you notes or artwork for others. This can be a great way to give art away after the creation process, with no need for storing student art in the classroom. You can get this free resource by signing up for the 2 Peas and a Dog email list.
Incorporating Art Into Lessons All Year Long
Along with storing student art comes the actual art lessons. If you’re a teacher who does not ordinarily teach art, it can be difficult to find ways to incorporate it into lessons that are meaningful and engaging. Here are some simple ideas for incorporating art into lessons using minimal materials:
Doodling
This only requires paper and writing tools. You can let students doodle in the margins of their notes, using drawings to represent key concepts of ideas.
Collages
This requires old magazines, glue, and paper. Students can use items they have on hand, such as old magazines, scraps of paper, etc. to create collages that represent themes or concepts from the lesson. You can get old magazines from thrift stores or your local free store and dedicate a box for them so students can use them throughout the year.
Mind Maps
This only requires paper, writing tools, and colouring tools. Rather than having student write their notes in jot form, why not have them create a mind map? This way they can connect ideas and concepts in a way that is creative and colourful.
Comic Strips
This requires paper, writing tools, and colouring tools. Ask students to create a short comic strip that summarizes a concept or tells the story of a historical event.
Digital Art
Art doesn’t have to happen solely on paper or canvas. Why not try some digital tools to create art? Stop Motion Studio, Canva, or Google’s Chrome Canvas are all fantastic ways to incorporate digital art into your lessons.
These ideas can work for various subjects and are a great way to incorporate art with traditional learning. If your looking for more art suggestions, check out this post, Ideas for Teaching Art.
Storing student art doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Through these ideas, you can store your students’ artwork in a way that is simple and user-friendly. If you have other ideas for storing student art, share them with me on social media (@2peasandadog) or by sending me a message.
More art-related blog posts:
- Art Cleanup Tip
- Tinfoil Sculpture Art Lesson
- Styrofoam Print Making Art Lesson
- Interesting Fast Finisher Activities For Art Class
Related Posts
