When an art class includes special needs students who require learning support of a physical nature, the special needs teacher must try to differentiate their lesson plan to include the needs of the learner. But what teaching strategies can be used?
Special Needs Lesson Plan in Art
It is not always the case, but often, a student whose motor skills have been compromised by a stroke or an accident, for example, may have low self-belief in their abilities as an artist. If the need is considerable, a learning mentor may need to be assigned. However, if the student feels uncomfortable with this, the tutor may have to think up strategies to help the student overcome these barriers without this support and to make creative progress within the lesson.
An Inclusive Art Lesson for the Disabled
The teacher can make adjustments to the lesson in order to make the lesson more inclusive, but to take care that this does not impact upon the other learners. Such things might be:
- Setting up the art materials for the special needs student prior to the lesson
- Affixing by tape or by other means the painting surface onto the table to stop it slipping around
- Allowing the student to sit nearest to the door for convenience
- Assisting with mixing colours and cleaning the brushes
Taking a Line for a Walk Art Activity
The starting point will be difficult for the learner, but an activity that involves no prescriptive aims, such as drawing straight lines or understanding perspectives will encourage the most reluctant and raise motivation. An exercise “Taking a Line for a Walk.” Involves randomly moving the pencil around the paper without it leaving the surface (fig 1). This can often create interesting lines and patterns. The student may then fill in enclosed spaces with solid colour via paint or crayon (fig 2). An interesting design can be seen as more white spaces are filled in (fig 3).
Art Projects for the Disabled for Inclusive Learning
Taking a line for a walk can easily be differentiated for the developing artist as their dexterity in drawing improves, and also for those more able. More complex patterns can be created and experimented with. Further exploration can be achieved by trying out different mediums, colour juxtaposition and practising shading (fig 4).
Free Lesson Plan in Art for Special Needs Students
Occasionally, a teacher will need to find strategies for an art student whose motor skills have been compromised by illness or an accident. Making provisions within the lesson will make it more inclusive. Exercising taking a line for a walk is a good starting point. This involves drawing random lines across the page. This assists dexterity and hand-to-eye coordination. Interesting colour combinations and shading techniques can be exercised without the need for prescriptive expectations such as understanding perspectives. As the student’s ability improves, taking a line for a walk can be make more challenging for the learner.
Rachel Shirley - I have written and illustrated several art instruction books entitled Oil Paintings from your Garden and Oil Paintings from the Landscape ...
