As the school year winds down, teachers everywhere brace themselves for all the tasks that accompany the end of term. Everyone is looking ahead to summer plans, but there's still much to wrap up, especially for art teachers. From final grades to inventory and clean-up, the list seems endless. While teachers try to tackle these responsibilities, special events like Field Day can add to the chaos. However, with a bit of creativity, these events can also become opportunities for engagement.

At the elementary level, Field Day is a common end-of-the-year tradition. Students are rewarded for their hard work with a day of outdoor games and challenges. For teachers, this often means supervising various stations to keep the event running smoothly. Instead of facilitating one of the usual activities, I decided to design an art station.
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I had no interest in supervising a water balloon toss, so I created something new—a set of artist cube puzzles. Each cube featured a piece of artwork, and the puzzle was completed when all nine blocks were assembled correctly. Drawing inspiration from my K-6 curriculum, I included the artists: Kehinde Wiley, Marc Chagall, Romero Britto, Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh, and Keith Haring.

Bringing this idea to life was certainly a process. I wanted the project durable for Field Day, so I chose wooden cubes over paper or cardstock. I made a trip to the local hardware store for the necessary materials. An employee helped cut the wooden cubes from larger posts. I took the pieces home to apply sections of the artwork to each face of the cube using Mod Podge.
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I completed two sets of art cube puzzles, ready for Field Day. On the day of the event, the puzzles were set up on desks outside. I printed images of each artwork for students to reference. Students were divided into teams and asked to assemble the puzzles. Teams raced to complete their puzzle first. They had time to attempt multiple puzzles before time was called to go to the next station.

The puzzle station proved to be a hit! This was a no-mess activity that was engaging and educational. If I were to try this again, I may consider different materials. The wooden blocks were heavy and solid. While they held up well outdoors, lighter materials might be more suitable for indoor use.

I always tried to make these end-of-year activities enjoyable for myself and my students. By taking ownership of the station and sharing my passion for art, I turned what could have been another chore into a memorable and fun experience.

As the school year draws to a close, look for ways to celebrate with your students. After all, these moments are what make teaching truly rewarding. You can turn your school’s Field Day into a celebration of creativity, learning, and fun.

As the school year reaches its final chapters, art teachers often find themselves navigating through a whirlwind of tasks and emotions. It's a time when fatigue can set in, both for educators and students alike. However, just because the academic calendar is winding down doesn't mean that creativity and engagement need to follow suit. In fact, this period can be an opportune moment to inject new energy into the classroom and spark excitement among students. Here are three simple yet effective strategies to invigorate your art classes and maintain your sanity during the final stretch.

​Introducing fresh materials can reignite students' enthusiasm for creating art. Whether it's experimenting with metal repoussé, paper weaving, or charcoal drawing on unconventional surfaces, the key is to offer something different. For example, drawing inspiration from Mayan glyphs and contemporary culture, students can embark on crafting their own golden treasures using tooling foil. By providing a tactile and visually striking medium, such as metallic foil, students are encouraged to explore new techniques and unleash their creativity.

​To truly captivate students' attention, consider integrating their interests into art projects. Whether it's video games, fashion trends, or technology, leverage these topics as prompts for creative exploration. Providing students with templates of trendy items and encouraging them to customize designs allows for personal expression and connection to real-world contexts. Moreover, setting up still life arrangements featuring objects of contemporary relevance transforms mundane subjects into captivating artistic subjects.

​Incorporating these approaches not only keeps students engaged but also reinforces key artistic concepts and skills. Furthermore, by adapting to students' interests and incorporating collaborative elements, educators can cultivate a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. As the academic year draws to a close, it's essential to prioritize student engagement and celebrate their artistic achievements. So, take a deep breath, embrace the creativity that surrounds you, and enjoy the journey of artistic exploration with your students until the very last day of school.