Let’s warm up – Arrival and check in – To start, we will get loose and relaxed with a fun exercise, such as a theatre, improv or music game. Student-artists are given the opportunity to introduce themselves and share something they like or that makes them happy.  Out of these open-ended introductory conversations, our educators begin understanding what the student-artists are interested in individually and collectively and can apply what is learned to personalizing the rest of the session. 

Let’s experiment! – Student-artists are presented with 3-5 age-appropriate Montessori-style art trays and encouraged to explore on their own, with generative prompts provided only when necessary.  Through providing choice and structured independence, student-artists will show educators to which expressive tools they are most drawn.  

Let’s Think! – Student-artists will be shown a painting (or a children’s book with illustrations) and will be encouraged to actively engage with the artwork through a series of open-ended questions that were developed and tested by cognitive scientists and museum educators over the past 30 years.  Through this process, student-artists will work collaboratively to cultivate visual thinking skills and develop the foundations for making evidence-based observations.

Let’s create! –This is where it all comes together.  Each student-artist will be provided with an individualized creative prompt based on their personal interests, needs and goals.  Our master teaching artist will provide scaffolded support throughout the artmaking process as necessary and encourage student-artists to challenge themselves by adding details and going deeper in their critical and creative thinking.  

Let’s reflect! – A crucial part of thinking and making is reflecting on the process afterwards.  Through opportunities to share and open-ended prompts, student-artists are provided with the space and support to reflect on the day’s work and consider how they might carry what they have learned into the future.  If student-artists return for multiple classes, information gleaned during the reflection can be used to more personally tailor individualized creative journeys.