What is the Great Art program? It is a school-wide, volunteer-driven arts enrichment program. Volunteers host a monthly, one-hour classroom session for all grades. A short presentation on a visual arts topic is combined with a related hands-on art project. 

Who pays for Great Art at Sunrise Valley Elementary School? Great Art is funded entirely by the SVES PTA. The PTA funds all art supplies necessary to complete the art projects. SVES students participate in four months of Great Art throughout the school year. We need enough materials for at least 600 students per month. Also the PTA funds the supplies for Great Art's annual end of the year school project (for example rock painting for the SVES front rock garden). Your PTA membership dollars are essential to support the Great Art program.

How does it work? Great Art Program Leads provide PowerPoint presentations, background materials, and art projects to volunteer presenters/helpers. Great Art classroom coordinators send out monthly sign-ups to their class families through the PTA's website.

Is it a big time commitment? Not at all! You can do all four sessions, or just one depending on your schedule. The session begins with a 10-15 minute discussion guided by a PowerPoint presentation which is then followed by an art project. With set-up and clean-up, the time commitment is about 90 minutes.

Do I have to be an art expert to volunteer? Absolutely not! You will receive an annotated PowerPoint presentation with images to lead the discussion. The kids enjoy participating so your role is to keep the conversation lively and focused.

Who would I contact for more information? The Great Art Program Leads: Maggie Booth and Alexis Estep at SVESPTAGreatArt@gmail.com.

We love our Volunteers! Without you, there would be no Great Art program!

How can you get involved?

  • VOLUNTEER in the classroom as the lead presenter and/or activity helper. No special art knowledge is required!
  • BE a classroom coordinator – create monthly sign-ups, be the scheduling point person with the teacher, and communicate with the volunteers.
  • PARTICIPATE in one or all four sessions! The kids love it and you will have a chance to spend time with them during the school day in a fun, creative way.
  • ASK your child about the Great Art program and what they learned.
  • JOIN the PTA so we can keep the program funded!

Contact the SVES Great Art Program Leads: Maggie Booth and Alexis Estep at SVESPTAGreatArt@gmail.com to volunteer as a classroom coordinator/presenter/activity helper or with any questions.

Thank you for volunteering! Without you there would be no Great Art. The goal of Great Art is to enrich the student's experience with extra art in the K-6 classrooms with an one-hour session scheduled four times a year in November, February, March, and April. This session involves a 10 to 15 minute presentation/discussion and a hands-on art activity. The kids love it, and we think you will too!

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are below.  If you still have a question, email us at svesptagreatart@gmail.com or contact your classroom coordinator.

What is the Presenter responsible for?

  • Reviewing the PowerPoint lesson, presenter notes*, and activity material in advance. 
  • Picking up and returning supplies (or assigning someone). Arrive 15 minutes early.
  • Presenting the lesson.
  • Reminding activity helpers to set up during the presentation.  
  • Minding the clock for ~10-15 minutes for presentation, ~30-40 minutes for the activity, and remaining time for clean-up. 
  • Assisting as an Activity Helper as needed.

*PowerPoint Presenter Notes

  • To view the notes, under the 'View' tab select either Notes Page or Normal (underneath the slides move the grab bar up if not visible). 
  • Another option, under the Slide Show tab select Presenter View (scroll to read all notes). 
  • A copy of the presentation with notes is provided with the activity supplies.

 

What is an Activity Helper responsible for?

  • Reviewing activity material in advance and ideally the PowerPoint lesson.
  • Setting up the art activity during the presentation.
  • Assisting with the art activity. 
  • Minding the clock for ~10-15 minutes for presentation, ~30-40 minutes for the activity, and remaining time for clean-up. 
  • Cleaning up and putting all supplies and paper materials together in an organized manner for the presenter to return to the workroom.

 

Supplies: the who, what, and where

  • Who picks up supplies?  
    • The Presenter 
  • What supplies are provided? 
    • Everything. The art project materials, a printout of the PowerPoint presentation including the presenter notes, and a printout of the project instructions are on the Great Art cart. The classroom laptop is used for the presentation.
  • Where are the supplies?
    • In the teacher workroom located at the beginning of the K-3 hallway. As you enter the K-3 hallway, turn left towards the playground doors, immediately on the right is the workroom. Supplies are immediately on the left on the cart. There is one cart for grades K-2 and one cart for grades 3-6.  

 

Where and when do we meet? 

Arrive 15 minutes in advance and meet in the classroom or just outside if a lesson is in session. Review your roles and begin set up.

 

How can I help make the session successful? 

  • The students really enjoy the art projects, so mind the clock to allow time for making art.
  • Limit questions or discussions if time runs short.
  • Have students sit on the floor during the presentation so the art materials can be set up at the desks.
  • BEFORE students go back to their seats, explain what the art project is while you still have their attention.
  • Relax and enjoy it too!

 

Do I need special art knowledge? What if a student asks a question I don’t know the answer to? 

No special knowledge is needed. Both the PowerPoint lesson and the project instructions include instructor notes with general information, scripts, and tips. Don’t have an answer? Tell them you are learning too! Ask the other students what they think, have another volunteer do a quick search, or encourage them to check at home or in the library. In the end, you’ll learn too!

 

How can I contact the other volunteers?  

Select your child’s teacher under the Class & Group menu on the left side of the main page in PTBoard. On the classroom page, near the top center it reads, “Class & Group: Teachers Name (people icon).” Click on the “people” icon for a list of all the members in the class. Click on their email address to create an email. You can also reach out to the classroom coordinator for assistance.

 

How can I review the powerpoint presentation and project instructions in advance?  

Click on the Great Art “Materials” tab, separated by monthly sessions. Materials will be posted at least a week in advance.

 

How do I access the PowerPoint in the classroom?  

The teacher will bring up the presentation using the classroom laptop.  

 

Will the teacher be in the classroom?  

Yes, the teacher must stay in the classroom. Some teachers offer to assist where needed and may help make connections to classroom learning, divide students into groups, etc. Some use the time to catch up on other work. Either way, the presenter is the lead for the session.

 

Where do I share suggestions or feedback?  

We’d love to hear from you at svesptagreatart@gmail.com or share feedback with your classroom coordinator. Our program continues to grow each year, with successes and bumps along the way. We appreciate your ideas and experiences. 

 

Each class will be unique: we provide the framework but the variables change with every session. The kids, teachers, and volunteers love the opportunity for the hands-on fun and gain new knowledge along the way. Thank you for making Great Art possible.

 

 

Great Art will be presented in classrooms during October/November, February, March, and April.

  • October/November/December: Andy Goldsworthy
  • February: Kara Walker
  • March: Charles Schulz
  • April: Van Gogh

 
Great Art Materials 
Please note: materials will be posted 1-2 weeks before the first GA session
 
Fall 2024 schedule: there will be one GA session per grade level. GA sessions will be scheduled from mid October to early December.
 
October/November: Andy Goldsworthy
 
Attention Presenters
 
Some specific notes about this month:
  • Oct/Nov/Dec session is Andy Goldsworthy. 
  • Art Project: using a variety of collage materials students will create a nature inspired collage. 
PLEASE NOTE — it is better to keep the presentation short and allow for more time to work on the art project. Aim for about a 10-15 minute presentation. Feel free to cut and shorten where needed, focusing on the 3 BIG IDEAS. 
The powerpoint presentation covers a lot of material and there is room for class discussion. Specifically, for younger students (grades K-2) keep your audience in mind and skip over information as needed. Focus on the 3 big ideas. Remember to be mindful of the time and allow plenty of time to work on the art project. 

 

General Information:

  • You can preview the Goldsworthy presentation, activity, and our FAQ section on the Great Art PTBoard page (click Great Art).
  • Review the presenter notes in the PowerPoint. 
  • Paper copies of the presentation with the speaker notes, and the activity instructions are provided in the binder on the Great Art carts.
  • The presenter picks up the activity materials located in the teacher workroom.  
  • As you enter the K-3 hallway, turn left towards the playground doors, immediately on the right is the workroom. Supplies are immediately on the left on the cart. There is one cart for grades K-2, and one cart for grades 3-6.
  • The teacher will bring up the presentation using a school laptop.
  • Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to set up.
  • Please return all materials promptly.
  • Have fun!

We appreciate your help returning all art materials to the carts. Please let us know if anything needs to be restocked or is missing.

 

Thanks again for volunteering and making Great Art a success!

 

Contact svesptagreatart@gmail.com with questions.

Great Art Materials 
 
Kindergarten - GA sessions will be held the last week in January. All other grade levels will have GA sessions in February.
 

February: Kara Walker

 

Attention Presenters

 

Some specific notes about this month:

●      February session is Kara Walker.

Kara Walker is a famous American installation artist known for her intricate cut-paper silhouettes. She is one of the most prominent and acclaimed Black American artists working today.

●      Art project: using black paper, students will cut silhouettes to create a story or scene. 

●      All grades will use the same project materials, except K-2 will have some pre-cut black shapes.

PLEASE NOTE — it is better to keep the presentation short and allow for more time to work on the art project. Aim for about a 10-15 minute presentation. Feel free to cut and shorten where needed, focusing on the 3 BIG IDEAS. 

The powerpoint presentation covers a lot of material and there is room for class discussion. Specifically, for younger students (grades K-2) keep your audience in mind and skip over information as needed. Focus on the 3 big ideas. Remember to be mindful of the time and allow plenty of time to work on the art project. 

 

General Information:

  • You can preview the Walker presentation, activity, and our FAQ section on the Great Art PTBoard page (click Great Art).
  • Review the presenter notes in the PowerPoint. 
  • Paper copies of the presentation with the speaker notes, and the activity instructions are provided in the binder on the Great Art carts.
  • The presenter picks up the activity materials located in the teacher workroom.  
  • As you enter the K-3 hallway, turn left towards the playground doors, immediately on the right is the workroom. Supplies are immediately on the left on the cart. There is one cart for grades K-2, and one cart for grades 3-6.
  • The teacher will bring up the presentation using a school laptop.
  • Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to set up.
  • Please return all materials promptly.
  • Have fun!

 

We appreciate your help returning all art materials to the carts. Please let us know if anything needs to be restocked or is missing.

 

Thanks again for volunteering and making Great Art a success!

 

Contact svesptagreatart@gmail.com with questions.

 
 

Great Art Materials 

 

March: Charles Schulz

 

Attention Presenters

 

Some specific notes about this month:

  • March session is Charles Schulz.
  • Charles Schulz was a famous American cartoonist best known for the comic strip Peanuts.
  • Art project: using white paper, markers/colored pencils, and speech bubbles, students will create their own comic.
  • All grades will use the same project materials, except K-2 will have some pre-drawn comic strip panels.

PLEASE NOTE — it is better to keep the presentation short and allow for more time to work on the art project. Aim for about a 10-15 minute presentation. Feel free to cut and shorten where needed, focusing on the 3 BIG IDEAS. 

The powerpoint presentation covers a lot of material and there is room for class discussion. Specifically, for younger students (grades K-2) keep your audience in mind and skip over information as needed. Focus on the 3 big ideas. Remember to be mindful of the time and allow plenty of time to work on the art project. 

General Information:

  • You can preview the Schulz presentation, activity, and our FAQ section on the Great Art PTBoard page (click Great Art).
  • Review the presenter notes in the PowerPoint. 
  • Paper copies of the presentation with the speaker notes, and the activity instructions are provided in the binder on the Great Art carts.
  • The presenter picks up the activity materials located in the teacher workroom.  
  • As you enter the K-3 hallway, turn left towards the playground doors, immediately on the right is the workroom. Supplies are immediately on the left on the cart. There is one cart for grades K-2, and one cart for grades 3-6.
  • The teacher will bring up the presentation using a school laptop.
  • Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to set up.
  • Please return all materials promptly.
  • Have fun!

We appreciate your help returning all art materials to the carts. Please let us know if anything needs to be restocked or is missing.

 

Thanks again for volunteering and making Great Art a success!

 

Contact svesptagreatart@gmail.com with questions.

 

 

 

Great Art Materials 

 

April: Van Gogh

 

April is the last month of Great Art. Thank you all for volunteering this year! Great Art would not be possible without your help!

 

Attention Presenters

 

Some specific notes about this month:

  • April session is Vincent van Gogh.
  • Students will learn about Vincent van Gogh and create paintings inspired by the famous artist. Van Gogh is one of most influential artists of the 20th century.
  • Art project: using tempera paint and oil pastels, create your own Van Gogh inspired painting.

PLEASE NOTE — it is better to keep the presentation short and allow for more time to work on the art project. Aim for about a 10-15 minute presentation. Feel free to cut and shorten where needed, focusing on the 3 BIG IDEAS. 

The powerpoint presentation covers a lot of material and there is room for class discussion. Specifically, for younger students (grades K-2) keep your audience in mind and skip over information as needed. Focus on the 3 big ideas. Remember to be mindful of the time and allow plenty of time to work on the art project. 

General Information:

  • You can preview the Van Gogh presentation, activity, and our FAQ section on the Great Art PTBoard page (click Great Art).
  • Review the presenter notes in the PowerPoint. 
  • Paper copies of the presentation with the speaker notes, and the activity instructions are provided in the binder on the Great Art carts.
  • The presenter picks up the activity materials located in the teacher workroom.  
  • As you enter the K-3 hallway, turn left towards the playground doors, immediately on the right is the workroom. Supplies are immediately on the left on the cart. There is one cart for grades K-2, and one cart for grades 3-6.
  • The teacher will bring up the presentation using a school laptop.
  • Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to set up.
  • Please return all materials promptly.
  • Have fun!

We appreciate your help returning all art materials to the carts. Please let us know if anything needs to be restocked or is missing.

 

Thanks again for volunteering and making Great Art a success!

 

Contact svesptagreatart@gmail.com with questions.