When the directive to close public schools in Missouri came down in mid-March, many teachers scrambled to formulate strategies for distance learning with their students. Jefferson R-7 art teacher Emily Clonts was no exception.
“I’m used to doing a lot of demonstrating in the classroom,” she said. “When we were all challenged with how to do digital learning, I had to come up with a way to convey these project ideas. And written instructions don’t always work, especially with the littler ones who aren’t solid readers yet.”
She began to record brief instructional videos for students on art projects they can do at home, and immediately began getting feedback.
“It has been really successful,” she said. “I am on our school app every day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., looking at photos and videos my students have sent me.”
The Leader liked that concept so much we decided to offer it to students throughout our readership area, with an added twist.
The Leader Art Challenge launches on Friday, April 24, and is being sponsored by the Twin City Area Optimist Club.
Each day at 10 a.m., a project video will be posted to the Leader website – myleaderpaper.com –with instructions for an art activity using readily available materials. Readers are invited to try the project, then send us a photo or video of the result. As many results as space permits will be published in the paper or posted to the Leader’s website and social media.
Each week, one name will be drawn from among all entries to receive a $20 gift card for a local business, such as restaurants, shops, services, etc.
“The contest is open to everyone all over the county,” Leader assistant publisher Peggy Scott said. “If you live in De Soto or High Ridge or Imperial or Pevely, you’ll get a gift card for a business in your area.”
Teachers, parents and grandparents, and older-level art students from around the county are invited to contact the Leader if they, too, would like to present a project.
“We’d love to see lots of people take part in this,” Scott said. “If we get enough participation, we might keep it going through the summer.”
A family project
Jefferson R-7 art teacher Emily Clonts
Clonts, 46, of Festus has taught art in the Jefferson R-7 School District for 20 years. She has about 450 students in grades K-5.
She gets help with the videos from her daughter, Josie, 13, a seventh-grade student.
“I experimented with ways to do it, and my daughter loves doing videos,” Clonts said. “So she and I work together to plan and record them. It helps her pass the time, also.”
Clonts said she is careful to design projects that don’t require purchasing supplies. “I have (a video) on weaving, for example,” she said. “Not everyone has yarn at home, so I showed how to cut plastic bags into strips and weave with those.
“I figure just about everyone has cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls. I try to develop projects using items that are typically found at home. I don’t want people to think they have to get out and buy stuff.”
She also said if the materials needed are many or the instructions complicated, students might be tempted to simply not try.
An example of student artwork, a flower created with found objects.
“There’s always a way around it,” she said.
Clonts said art projects can be a great way to break up the day for students, as well as lifting the spirits of those confined to home.
“If they’re getting frustrated with math or reading worksheets, they can take a break,” she said. “Design a can label or weave with plastic or make a collage of leaves.
“It’s good to get out and find things, and to maybe look at ordinary things around the house in a new and different way. It’s a stress reliever.”
■ Where to find the daily Leader Art Challenge video: On the paper’s website at www.myleaderpaper.com.
■ Where to send your entry: Email to news@leaderpublications.biz , with the subject line, “Leader Art Challenge.”
■ How to make sure you’re eligible for the prize drawing: Be sure to include the name and town of residence or name of school with each email entry.
■ How to get more information: Call the Leader at 636-931-7560.
LEADER ART CHALLENGE IS SPONSORED BY THE TWIN CITY AREA OPTIMIST CLUB.