Addressing the Obstacles: Time, Expertise, Supplies

Elementary teachers must be generalists. They are expected to focus on mathematics and English language skills while also teaching social studies, science, visual and performing arts, and more! However, most feel the focus must be on strictly academics so the arts suffer. When one asks elementary teachers what their obstacles are in introducing meaningful art experiences in their classrooms, three consistent concerns arise - time, supplies, and comfort with the topic. How do we address the obstacles so elementary students are exposed regularly to art?

The Davis Arts Center has developed an art kit that includes lesson plans, guided art conversations, student activities, and - best of all - the supplies needed to complete every activity. So, let’s really break down the obstacles and how the kit can help.

Time is a huge factor in the elementary classroom. Those outside education don’t realize the huge demands placed on the elementary teacher on a daily basis. Not least of all is the tremendous responsibility of helping young students develop critical math building blocks and literacy skills from kindergarten through 5th grades. So, the focus is understandably on those subjects. However, teachers are also tasked with social studies, science, music, social-emotional learning, physical education, class projects and - yes - art. Not everyone realizes there are clear state standards in place that include all these subjects so it is important to help support teachers in art education almost as much as we support academics. The “easier” we can make this for teachers, the more likely they will find the time during their very busy school day to include art. The kit was designed so that teachers can simply open page one and work through the activities with little to no prep work. Though they are flexible enough for teacher innovation, it is “simple” enough to follow as designed. Plus, it includes all the needed supplies and each student receives their own, full set.

One of the universal “truths” of teachers is that they spend an immense amount of their personal funds to outfit their classrooms each year. Though “everyone” agrees this is a problem and wishes for greater educational funding, that is not the reality for many schools and school districts. Though we agree teachers shouldn’t have to buy their own art supplies, how can they possibly teach visual art without them? This is one of the greatest strengths of the art kit, every student receives their own set of art supplies which includes every supply they need to complete activities and allows them to take pride in caring for the supplies. Students can take pride in the keeping and caring of their art kit. As the students and teacher work their way through the activity book together, cover to cover or any path they choose together.

Finally, teachers often don’t feel comfortable teaching the visual arts. Therefore, this subject is often not addressed until middle school or high school when dedicated art teachers are available. Simply put, the flexibility of the Davis Arts Center art kit means the teacher and students explore together. No one has to be “the expert”! Though this can be an uncomfortable position for teachers, the kit also leads them through each activity step by step. The kit also gradually builds from very basic exploration missions, which falls into the brainstorm comfort zone associated with English language arts, all the way to a finished product. Even the finished product doesn’t have an expected final product which also removes some of the pressure on teachers to know everything. The art discussion focuses on observation rather than art history. Plus, the Davis Arts Center is leading professional development sessions where we help empower teachers to use the kits. It is our sincere hope to address the obstacles to art education in elementary classrooms so that everyone can find their inner artist.