On Friday, we began a directed drawing self-portrait (I can't tell you how long it took me to figure out how to phrase this. Those four words...still don't think it sounds right). So what's a directed drawing? It's when we give students step-by-step directions about how to draw something. Rather than saying, "ready, set, go!", we break down the steps into smaller, more manageable lines and before you know it, you have a work of art AND you've learned a new skill!
By teaching children that learning to draw (even digitally) is nothing more than manipulated shapes and lines, we improve their confidence, perseverance and fine motor skills!