Why Teachers Should Make Time for Drawing

Teachers should make time for drawing because it supports learning across subjects: it helps students remember content, explain their thinking, build fine motor skills and stay engaged. Even five minutes a day of drawing, tied to the lesson, can make a difference.

With packed curriculums and testing pressure, drawing is often the first thing cut. But drawing is not a break from learning; it is a tool for it.

How drawing supports learning

• Memory. Drawing a concept helps students remember it (see the drawing effect).
• Understanding. Diagrams show what students really understand.
• Engagement. Hands-on tasks keep students focused.
• Inclusion. Drawing gives non-readers and English learners a voice.
• Motor skills. Drawing supports handwriting.

Quick ways to add drawing

• Draw the vocabulary word. A quick sketch for each new word.
• Exit ticket drawings. "Draw one thing you learned today."
• Story maps. Draw the beginning, middle and end.
• Science diagrams. Label parts of a plant or the water cycle.
• Math sketches. Draw word problems before solving.

Directed drawing as a classroom tool

Step-by-step drawing lessons are great for classrooms because every student finishes with a successful drawing. How to Draw: Cool Stuff has a wide mix of monsters, aliens and robots, enough variety for a whole year of quick classroom lessons, writing prompts and early finisher activities.

Fitting it in

• Morning work
• Brain breaks
• Writing warm-ups
• Early finisher choices
• Indoor recess

Results teachers notice

Teachers often report that drawing calms the room, engages reluctant learners and gives quiet students a way to shine. For more, see directed drawing in the classroom. FirstArtBooks.com also has free teacher resources.

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