Elementary Arts

A little late, but as summer begins I’ve been reflecting on my trip to NAEA in Chicago and how much it filled my creative cup.
As teachers, it’s easy to spend the year focused on planning lessons, managing supplies, and supporting students. NAEA gave me the opportunity to step back and become a learner again. I spent time exploring museums, studying artwork in person, discovering new artists, connecting with art educators from around the country, and collecting ideas that I can’t wait to bring back to the art room.

What I appreciate most is that experiences like this remind me why art education matters. Art helps us slow down, notice details, ask questions, make connections, and see the world from different perspectives. Those are lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.

As I head into summer, I’m grateful for the inspiration, friendships, and memories that came from this experience. I’m excited to recharge, create, and continue growing so I can bring my best self back to my students in the fall.
Thank you, NAEA Chicago, for the inspiration and the reminder that learning never stops.

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FREE lesson plan available under the handout link in my bio.

Artistic Reflections: A Year-End Journey – Extended Edition is a 20-page printable end-of-the-year art book designed for elementary art classrooms. Students reflect on their creativity, review the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, celebrate artistic growth, and create meaningful end-of-the-year memories through engaging art activities and reflection pages.

Perfect for end-of-the-year activities, memory books, portfolio reflections, early finishers, art centers, sub plans, and classroom celebrations.

End-of-the-year review doesn’t have to be boring. My students have been loving this “ABC’s of Art” activity because it turns art vocabulary review into a creative challenge. Students write art words from A–Z, draw quick sketches, look around the room for clues, and review everything we learned this year like true Art Detectives.
It’s a fun way to review the Elements of Art, Principles of Design, materials, techniques, and project vocabulary while keeping students engaged during those last few weeks of school.

Perfect for end-of-year review, early finishers, centers, sub plans, and low-prep art days. Lesson plan included and FREE under the Free Resources section, ink in bio under FREE RESOURCES.