A Great Way to Communicate with Parents in Art Class

Colorful abstract line paintings with a description titled "Nest Line Paintings" explaining the project, created by students during an art class.

This year I have started using a new way to communicate with parents. After receiving some feedback last year that parents didn’t know quite what we were learning about with each project, I decided to type up description statements that would explain artists we learned about, skills and techniques practiced and any other goals of the art project.

Child's Halloween drawing of a spooky house, bare trees, gravestones, a pumpkin, and a ghost in an orange sky. It's a great way to encourage creativity and could be an excellent project for an Art class.

Spooky Silhouette by a Kindergartner

Image of a project description titled 'Spooky Silhouettes' with a color wheel and silhouettes of a tree and bat. This is a great way to communicate with parents about the creativity encouraged in art class.

After the projects are completed I have a student helper tape the descriptions to the back for the younger classes. The older students can glue or tape the descriptions on the back.

I have also been including some reflective questions and some space to fill out artist statements for the pictures.

A colorful, hand-drawn compass rose with flowers, stars, and intricate patterns on a red and green background.

Artistic Compass Rose by 2nd grader

A worksheet titled "Mapmaking and Art" for art class, featuring a compass drawing and spaces for students to describe their project.

A collage with images of a sleeping puppy, polar bears, a lion's face, and words like "joy," "hoping," "inspiration".

Detail shot of a personal collage by a 5th grader

Page titled "Personal Collage" with text about Emily's Blue Period and a collage task, including explanatory instructions, a worksheet, and how art education plays a vital role.

Abstract tree with intricate black patterns on swirled branches against a gradient orange-yellow background.

Tree of Life painting by a 5th grader

A worksheet titled "Tree of Life Paintings" with text, questions, and a section to write a name.

A colorful abstract painting with wavy and zigzag black lines on various colored backgrounds is presented next to a brief overview of the art. It's a great way to engage in dialogue, whether in an art class or when trying to communicate with parents.

What do you think about this idea? How do you communicate with parents?

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9 Responses to A Great Way to Communicate with Parents in Art Class

Julie McAdams says:

November 17, 2016 at 7:35 am

I love love love this idea! I use my Twitter account to update parents on what we are doing but some parents don’t have access to a computer. I also write about an artist of the month in my monthly newsletter but I love that this is specific to each grade and project! Thanks for the idea 🙂

Lamoreaux Fulwider says:

November 18, 2016 at 8:36 am

A Great Way to Communicate with Parents in Art Class–CLEVER. So i’m thinking make postcards once/twice a year with reproduction of students art work and mail to parents. What do you think??

- Marcia Beckett says:
  
  November 19, 2016 at 12:31 pm
  
  That sounds cool! Go for it. 🙂 Share pics when you do.
  
Sara says:

November 20, 2016 at 9:06 am

Love this idea! What a great way to let parents know what is happening in your room, share what key concepts are being learned and garner some parent support for the future.

- Marcia Beckett says:
  
  November 20, 2016 at 12:30 pm
  
  Thanks!
  
Jen Theen says:

November 20, 2016 at 10:23 am

Great idea!! Not very realistic for me in my district however. We are constantly running out of paper and printer ink. 🙁

- Marcia Beckett says:
  
  November 20, 2016 at 12:30 pm
  
  Bummer! Someone suggested on an art teacher Facebook group to set up a Facebook and Instagram account and put the information on there!
  
Lana says:

November 20, 2016 at 4:59 pm

Super! I have done these info sheets when I display work in the halls. But I love this idea to go with there work! Thanks for sharing!

artwithmsem says:

November 24, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Great idea! I usually write a newsletter a few times a year, but I like this short and simple lesson explanation. Makes it a little more manageable. 🙂