The Fine Arts Department is finding new and unique ways to teach in anticipation of the distance learning that will take place this fall.

According to art teacher Shannon Slattery, because the department is diverse with its disciplines, each teacher has a different plan to fit the niche of art and skills they are teaching.

For example, in Slattery’s class, she plans to focus more on the concepts of how to use different art supplies and showing students what they can accomplish through the new mediums.

“Because we are remote, one of the things I really try to do is make it possible for all people to do whatever projects we do despite where they are and what supplies they might have,” said Slattery. “It’s much more idea-based, not as much materials based.”

As art teachers find ways to give their students hands-on experience and practice, Slattery said she and other teachers plan to give her students some rudimentary art supplies. 

“When kids go to get their textbooks, they’ll also have a kit of art supplies to use,” she said. “So they’ll have at least a basic set of things to work with.”

Slattery said she plans to look back to last year’s remote learning curriculum and lesson planning to shape some lessons this year. However, with more certainty and experience with remote learning this school year, compared to last school year, she said expectations will be higher for the things students produce in an effort to help return to the rigor that the class would normally have.

“Not that we aren’t going to be as flexible as possible,” said Slattery. “But we also want to try and get some good stuff done too, so we have to work hard to do that.”