White Board Art

Our first white board art.

While scrolling Instagram back in December I came across a high school art teacher in Kansas City, @mrsdrmorgan, who does white board art with her advisory crew. It was during the last week of school leading up to Christmas Break when I was pulling out all the teacher tools from my tool box. My students were getting restless, so I decided to be brave and try something new. I found one that I thought would be fun and the kids would enjoy. Plus, I never let my kids draw on my white board, so I knew they would like me actually letting them for a change.

The first one was simple and didn't require much artistic ability on my end. It allowed me to gauge how well they could handle using my markers and white board. I told them only 3-4 people at the board at a time and if you don't come to the board until you have an idea of what you are drawing. The first 20-30 minutes of the day we spend silent reading, so they also enjoy getting to take a break from reading.

After the first one went so well, I decided to be brave. I've always enjoyed arts and crafts, but hadn't taken an art class since 8th grade. I also don't have a ton of confidence, or if I'm being completely honest, courage, in showing my artwork to the world. Drawing is therapeutic to me, but something I preferred to keep private, but when it comes to kids, I'm a little more willing and courageous. Coming back from break, I changed it up a bit, and now a lot of the board work requires them to write instead of draw. Again I was nervous about how they would feel about me making them write, but they still enjoyed it. I always answer the questions, too, so they get to learn more about me as well.

Now, several white board artworks later, my kids ask me when we get to do another one, which makes my teacher heart happy. Sometimes I still come up with something for them to draw, because I want them to use the creative part of their brain. Regardless, I have loved getting to know my students more based on their responses to the white board art. I also like that they have become more comfortable with it, and their answers are becoming more unique and resembling their personality.

Before Spring Break, when kids were once again getting restless, I did a series throughout the week. It was also the week the live Beauty and the Beast was released in theaters, so it seemed appropriate.