WHAT IS THIS CLASS ABOUT?
Making art is about exploration! When I work with younger learners, I focus on their process and not their product - although young artists are often thrilled with whatever they create, a lot of the joy is in the MAKING. 

In this class, I'm holding a space where young artists can gather together with me, make art, and share with their classmates! We don't do anything step-by-step. Your artists will be exploring watercolors in a carefree way. (The fun exploration of line & watercolor wash in the class listing was created by a 4yo artist in class.) 

WHAT WILL LEARNERS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS SESSION?
During the first five minutes, after a quick greeting, I suggest an idea for that day. I usually demo a suggested use of materials (eg layering color). Sometimes we might get inspired by something someone says - once, we noticed holiday lights hanging behind a learner, and many of us made art with lots of circles in it! 

I use a document camera on my hands and create art along with them (but sometimes I'll turn my document camera off because I don't want them to feel like they should be copying me. 

Young artists can follow my idea, or diverge entirely and do their own thing - it's fun to make art in community and fun to see learners exploring their own ideas! If a learner shows up and announces, "I am making a picture of a castle today," I am content to let them. 

We spend 15-20 minutes working together, and if we haven't been sharing throughout (which happens a lot), we'll spend a few moments at the end doing that. When they share, I often point out things about their art, so they learn art terms along the way. 

I don't force kids to share their work, or their thoughts! I will ask if they'd like to, and kids are always welcome to volunteer, but I understand that some kids quieter than others. I hope kids will eventually feel comfortable enough to share their work and speak up.

Learners are always welcome to post their work to the classroom if they prefer to share that way!

I ask that student cameras stay on during the class, because especially with younger learners, I can't gauge how they are doing if I'm looking at a black box! 


A FEW NOTES ON CLASS POLICIES:
-Siblings may share a camera, but all participating artists must be individually registered.
-GROWN-UPS: you are welcome to sit nearby to be present with your learners (but please know that per Outschool requirements, you need to keep yourself off-camera)!