Art in Action for some classes at Clifford has already begun, and we are excited to have parents sign up to volunteer.

What’s it all about? 

In case you are new to Clifford School or haven’t heard about it before, Art in Action is a PTO-funded and parent-driven art program for our students, from 1st Grade through 5th Grade. (We have a plan to bring Art in Action back to Middle School – stay tuned!)

A parent, along with a merry band of helpers, facilitates a brief discussion of a work of art – a painting or a ceramics piece, for example — and then leads the students through a fun creative process. All the art supplies are assembled for you, as long as you give us a few days’ notice. A typical Art in Action class will take about an hour – or less, or more — depending on the amount of time you have and how detailed you want things to go.

It’s a wonderful program; the students dig it. And we need volunteers!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering. . . .

NO: You don’t need to work in design or feel “artsy” to lead a class. Nor do you need to have a background in art history or be a whiz with watercolors – or anything like that!

(Full disclosure: The writer of this post, in fact, can’t draw her way out of a paper bag, and has adored teaching Art in Action for five years.)

All you need is a willingness and enthusiasm for leading students through a creative process — and you can rely on Art in Action’s helpful resources online (and other parents, of course) to make your class happen! Plus, you will have a captive audience. We’ll say it again: Students love having parents teach Art in Action.

You can volunteer in three ways:

1. Lead or facilitate a class (consider sharing the role with another parent)
2. Assist during class (hand out art materials)
3. Help in your own time at home (prepping supplies, mounting artwork, and so on)

To volunteer, sign up during Back to School Night (September 24) and/or tell your child’s teacher that you are interested in leading a class or helping out!

New from Art in Action

If you are leading a class and want to access Art in Action’s online resources — video tutorials and lesson guidelines, for instance — you need to create a new account at the new Art in Action website. (Your old login/password won’t work past November 30, 2015, says Art in Action.)

To create a new account:

1. Visit the Clifford-specific registration page.
2. Fill out the details.
3. Enter the access code:  Clifford2015

What’s the next step?

After creating an account, you can browse through the respective Grade-level lesson plans if you’re leading a class. You choose the lesson and then coordinate with your child’s teacher. (Some teachers may request specific lessons for their students.)

You can teach in your child’s classroom — or in Room 10 or Room 12 — depending on your preference and the teacher’s. Note: You’ll need to reserve Room 10 and 12 through the school office — and the rooms may not be available when you want them.

Before your class, find fell0w-parents to assist you (your child’s teacher will probably know who has expressed an interest in helping). If you need help recruiting a volunteer or two, contact us.

Special plea

If you’ve already assisted in class – handing out paint brushes and refilling water containers, for example – please consider leading a class yourself next time! If you need help figuring this out, contact us.

Additional resources

To see an overview of Art in Action lessons, 1st through 5th Grade — and to add your own scheduled classes, when firmed up — please use this online spreadsheet. Thank you.

Check out the PTO’s Art in Action page, where you’ll find details about logistics, links to training info, photos, and more.

Keep an eye out for emails from Clifford’s Art in Action coordinator along with updates in the Clifford School PTO email newsletters (here’s where you sign up to receive the newsletter).

Here’s the latest Art in Action flyer: English and Spanish.

We look forward to a terrific year of Art in Action!