Elements and Principles - Simplified

When I began as an art teacher in the junior high, I had 14 large posters each featuring a different element of art or principle of design (see below). Every art teacher knows, this is the backbone to teaching studio art (or hands-on art) in the classroom.

Even though I found them fascinating (especially the art history), I am not sure my students did. I felt the concepts were a little too detailed and better suited for high school or college. I used them anyway. It’s all I had.

When I moved to an elementary art position (k-4), the posters did not move with me. Even though I wanted the elements and principles displayed in my room, I needed something easier to understand. Afterall, I had very young students for a very small amount of time once a week.

I needed something quick, simple, and visual for my young students. I had an idea to create each word by using the element or principle it represented. So I started playing around and guess what? It WORKED! Don’t you love when that happens as an artist?

Simple and quick and best of all - easy to understand.

I printed each word on a sheet of copy paper and displayed them on a bulletin board. You can make your own like I did. But if you are looking to save time, you can certainly get mine on Teachers Pay Teachers.

The start of the year is right around the corner and I will be going to school tomorrow to put my Elements and Principles bulletin board up. I will be sure to snap a picture and post it here!

Good luck in your teaching and if you have any comments or questions or just want to say hi, please do!

Happy Creating, Mrs. Ward