Back to School in the Art Room:

 10 Tips to Start the Year with Confidence and Creativity

Welcome back, creative educators!

A brand new school year is here and with it comes the anticipation, the excitement, and yes, the organized chaos of teaching art. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to the classroom, the start of the year is always a chance to hit reset, reimagine your creative space, and build a community where your students can thrive artistically.

In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to kick off the school year strong: setting up your classroom, budgeting for supplies, building student relationships, establishing routines, and boosting creativity from day one.

Your Creative Space

This is the fun part: bringing your personality into the classroom. As soon as I got my keys (early summer, lucky me!), I jumped right in and started making the space feel like my own. I spent several days organizing, cleaning, planning the layout, and adding personal touches. It took time and energy, but it was absolutely worth it. I felt confident and comfortable in the space once it was done.

If you have the time, I highly recommend investing in your setup early. Personalizing your room to reflect your style and teaching needs sets the tone for the year and creates an environment where both you and your students can thrive. If you’re getting your keys later in the summer (or even after school starts), don’t stress. Focus on the essentials first, and then build your creative touches throughout the year. It’s a process, and your space will grow with you. Check out this Blog on “Back to School Classroom Organization” for tips, ideas & inspiration.

Supplies & Budgeting

Start by taking inventory. What do you have, what do you need, and what’s your budget?

• Find out the process for requesting supplies and clarify if a lab fee or donation is allowed in your district. We receive a budget from our district for supplies, but we also ask each student (no pressure) for a $20 lab fee that allows us to purchase the BEST materials for their use. 
• Stock up on essentials: pencils, erasers, larger paper to be cut to various sizes, paints, brushes, glue sticks, rulers, and scissors. If this is all you have a budget for, you can make it work!
• Our favorite places to order: Blick, Amazon, and local teacher supply stores.
• Check out our Art 1 and Art 2 Curriculum Blogs to see a list of materials that we use for each of our units throughout the year.

Plan a Flexible First Week

The first week is often a blur with students adjusting schedules. Plan light, engaging activities:

• Keep movement in mind; many students are still getting their classes settled.
• Use pre-instruction assignments including sketchbook covers, name tags, or goal sheets.
• Ice breakers are your friend! Try these engaging ice breaker challenges!

Build a Classroom Community

 A successful art room is built on trust, creativity, and student ownership.

• Start with BIG questions: What is art? Why does it matter?
• Offer a classroom tour. We have our students complete a scavenger hunt to know where to find things in the classroom.

• Group students at tables to promote collaboration, and make time for personal connections.
• Share your story! Why do you love art?! And invite students to share theirs.

Establish Routines Early

Don’t wait to set the tone.

Organize Student Workflows

Help students feel structured and confident in your classroom.

• Digital daily agenda

• Post to LMS

• Assign sketchbooks or folders for daily warm-ups. Check out our Sketchbook Blog to learn more!
• Use SB logs to track sketchbook entries. FREE DOWNLOAD!
• Introduce Elements & Principles notes early to create shared language. Check out this Bundle!

• Create portfolios for each student with clearly labeled sections for projects, reflections, and feedback.
  • Art 1: Street Art Portfolios
  • Art 2: Collograph Portfolios
  • AP Art & Design: Digital sketchbooks

 Lesson Planning

Stay a step ahead with intentional planning.

• Set goals for each class and use backward planning,  focusing on starting with the end goals such as, what students should know, understand, and be able to do and then working backward to plan the instructional methods and activities. to map out the year.
• Align lessons with State and National Art Standards.
• Explore our FREE curriculum tools:
  • Art 1 Curriculum Blog
  • Art 2 Curriculum Blog
  • AP Art and Design Curriculum Blog

Plan for Early Finishers

Avoid downtime with creative extension activities:

• Keep a stash of art-themed worksheets, optical illusions, Zentangle prompts, or coloring pages.
• Offer free draw” opportunities to encourage exploration.
• We offer semester long side projects. Check out our blog for Early Finishers

 Make the Display Count

From day one, show that student work is valued.

• Plan ahead for your end-of-year art show now; it’ll pay off later!
• Use bulletin boards and display cases to highlight student projects and classroom culture.

Connect with Families & Admin

Art education is advocacy! Help others see the value of what you do.

• Prepare for Back-to-School Night with a short handout explaining your goals and how art supports academic success.
• Use phrases like:
  • “Art helps students develop problem-solving skills and creative confidence.”
  • “We focus on process over perfection to help students grow.”
• Keep admin informed of big projects and successes; they can be your biggest allies.

 Take Care of You, Too

Art teachers give a LOT. Make sure you’re filling your own cup, too.

• Carve out time for your own creativity, even if it’s just 10 minutes of doodling.
• Explore fast, low-pressure practices: collage, sketch journaling, or digital drawing.
• Most importantly, remember: You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be present.

 Let’s Grow Together