Bell Ringers for Art Class:
Engaging Daily Warm-Ups to Start Every Lesson Right
You teach a full load—sometimes six or more art classes a day. As art teachers, our days are packed. From prepping materials and managing cleanup to keeping up with grading, we’re constantly juggling tasks. Add in the responsibility of supporting 504 plans, IEPs, and the many other roles we take on, and it’s clear: we’re not just teaching art—we’re meeting diverse needs, maintaining high standards, and wearing a dozen hats at once.
That’s why the first 5 to 10 minutes of class are absolutely crucial—not just for our own sanity, but to handle the daily logistics of the job: last minute prepping for the day’s lesson, taking roll, checking who was absent last class and getting them caught up, making sure cell phones are put away, and oh—“Johnny! Why are you late to class?!”
So, what’s the solution?
Daily warm-ups! We’ve found that starting class with quick, focused warm-up activities not only helps students shift into “art mode” by engaging the creative side of the brain, but also gives us a chance to get ourselves organized before starting the day. Daily Warm ups also have the added bonus of giving students valuable, consistent practice because let’s be honest—no one wakes up knowing how to draw. Just like riding a bike or learning an instrument, developing artistic skills takes time, repetition, and practice.
With many years of experience teaching a wide range of art classes and skill levels, we’ve developed a diverse collection of Daily Warm-Up Drawing Activities designed to meet the varying needs, interests, and learning styles of our students. Here are our 3 favorite Bell Ringer activities we use in our classrooms:
1. Daily Warm-up Prompts on Templates
As students enter the room, we get them started with a 5–10 minute mini drawing. These prompts vary from day to day—starting off simple with step-by-step drawings early in the year and gradually becoming more challenging as students build their skills.
We only assign warm-ups on the days we see our students, so each month we create a custom drawing template based on the number of class days. If a student is absent, it’s easy to spot—they’ll have a blank space on their template. They know to check Schoology (our Learning Management System) for the missed prompt, or simply ask a classmate at their table.
It’s a low-stress, high-impact routine that builds drawing skills over time and keeps class transitions smooth and focused
Grading: These warm-ups are simple to grade—a win for busy teachers! At the end of each month, students turn in their daily warm-ups. Each drawing prompt is worth 5 points. For example, if we see a class 12 times in a month (we’re on a block schedule, so that’s typical), the total possible points for the month is 60.
Grading is quick and efficient: students bring their open sketchbooks to my desk, I review their entries, count any missing prompts on their template, and assign a grade. It’s easy for us, and it provides valuable, consistent practice for them! To see how we organize our sketchbooks CLICK HERE.
For the Daily Warm-up Prompts & Templates →CLICK HERE
2. Design Matrix
Looking for a way to help your students dive deeper into the Elements of Art and Principles of Design? The Design Matrix is a comprehensive and engaging resource that challenges students with a wide range of creative design scenarios—perfect for exploring complex composition and strengthening visual problem-solving skills. We like to use this as a review for our AP Art and Design Students!
Each prompt encourages students to think critically as they plan and arrange the fundamental elements of art, helping them build confidence and sharpen their artistic abilities. Whether they’re just beginning or in an advanced art class, students will love the variety and creativity built into this dynamic activity. Another great feature of this assignment is its flexibility—students continue working on it until it’s complete. There’s no strict time limit or monthly deadline, which allows them to progress at their own pace and focus on doing their best work.
For the Design Matrix →CLICK HERE
3. Monthly Design Matrix
These monthly calendars integrate the Elements of Art and Principles of Design and come in four unique approaches—giving teachers the flexibility to choose what works best for their classroom goals. There is a prompt (box) for each day of the month. Assign this worksheet at the beginning of the month, and provide 5-10 minutes at the beginning of each class for students to work.
Each challenge is designed to help students strengthen their ability to plan, design, and apply key art concepts in creative ways. As students work through the prompts, they not only build essential drawing and design skills but also gain the confidence to create visually compelling artwork—all while completing a fun, holiday-themed monthly calendar!
Here are LINKS to the Monthly Drawing Matrix’s we use in our classrooms:
- January Calendar Drawing Matrix
- February Calendar Drawing Matrix
- March Calendar Drawing Matrix
- April Calendar Drawing Matrix
- May Calendar Drawing Matrix
- June Calendar Drawing Matrix
- July Calendar Drawing Matrix
- August Calendar Design Matrix
- September Calendar Drawing Matrix
- October Calendar Drawing Matrix
- November Calendar Drawing Matrix
- December Calendar Drawing Matrix
For the WHOLE YEAR Matrix Bundle →CLICK HERE
Incorporating daily warm-ups or bell ringers into the art classroom offers countless benefits for both students and teachers. These short, focused activities help establish routine, build classroom community, and get students into a creative mindset from the moment they walk in. They encourage consistent practice, reinforce key skills, and give students a low-pressure opportunity to explore and express themselves. For teachers, bell ringers provide a valuable tool for classroom management, formative assessment, and smooth transitions into each lesson. Ultimately, daily warm-ups create a purposeful and productive start to class—setting the tone for meaningful learning and artistic growth.
We hope these ideas and resources inspire creativity for your classroom, and we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! For more inspiration, check out our Art 1 & Art 2 Curriculums. Thanks for reading!