Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Why is my year 1 DD not doing any art at school?

71 replies

MrsUptight · 13/12/2013 20:36

Another thread has just made me realise that DD has not come out of school with any art work ONCE this year. Apart from things made for Christmas which I had to buy.

She comes out with little drawings in pen which she's done on scrap paper but not ONE painting.

Is that normal? She's five! They love and need art. Who shall I ask about this? Her teacher or the HT? I can offer to volunteer once a week if they need help or support with arts and crafts but I'm quite upset to have this realization...DD loves art.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
HumphreyCobbler · 13/12/2013 20:38

She may bring it all home at once in a folder. That is what always happens with my dc and what I did in my year one classes.

Do volunteer, as a primary teacher I would have fallen on your neck in gratitude!

Original poster
MrsUptight · 13/12/2013 21:16

I don't know what to say...shall I just say "I can stay for an hour or two on X days if you need help with crafts or anything?" because frankly I'm not at all interested in reading or anything. I want to help with arts because I don't think they're doing enough.

OP posts:
TwistedRib · 13/12/2013 21:19

Yes you'll get a massive folder at the end of the year. A lot of artwork is used for displays around the classroom & school.

Original poster
MrsUptight · 13/12/2013 21:20

Oh I see....I hope so! I do see a lot on walls at school. I'll still ask if they need help though.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsUptight · 13/12/2013 21:21

I'd rather it was spread out a bit tbh though. I think it's nice for them to show what they've done as and when....rather than giving me a tonne of stuff that can't be put on the fridge as there's too much.

OP posts:
BroomstickRider · 13/12/2013 21:24

My DD in Year 1 also hasn't brought any paintings home but I know she's been painting because of all the times she's come home with it all over her uniform! Grin

simpson · 13/12/2013 21:31

My yr1 DD has not come home with anything yet either. But I know she paints as I see the evidence on her uniform Grin

simpson · 13/12/2013 21:32

Broomstick - did not notice your post sorry! Blush glad my DD is not the only one Grin

nonicknameseemsavailable · 13/12/2013 22:07

I am hoping my daughter is particularly tidy when painting then as we have had no sign of paint on anything nor mention of it. They do make things sometimes though from what she has said so I suspect it is all just accumulating somewhere.

cazzybabs · 13/12/2013 22:10

Is it on the wall? Or kept as evidence for Ofsted or mabe they have been splitting the timetable so for example this term they have done DT and next term they have done art?

Hulababy · 13/12/2013 22:11

I work in an infant school. In reception/EYFS art wotk often comes home same day/week. In Y1/2 it normally comes home all at the end - in mean time it gets put on walls and/or in art folder - in same way literacy and numeracy work dont go home every week.

paneer · 13/12/2013 22:13

dd is in y1 and has hardly anything coming home in comparison to yr.
she said she only does art in Friday now Sad

spanieleyes · 14/12/2013 08:22

But she is also doing literacy, numeracy, RE, science, music, guided reading, spelling and grammar/phonics, PE, history, geography, PSHE, ICT, DT, possibly MFL-there is only so much that will fit in! We try to incorporate art into as many subjects as possible but also some time on discrete skills too.

Original poster
MrsUptight · 14/12/2013 09:09

Well I have just asked her and she says "We never paint in year one...we did in reception."

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsUptight · 14/12/2013 09:09

What can I say and to whom?

OP posts:
DebbieFiderer · 14/12/2013 13:33

There is a lot more to art than painting.

Original poster
MrsUptight · 14/12/2013 16:48

Well I know that! But painting is very important.

OP posts:
spanieleyes · 14/12/2013 16:55

Have a look first at the school website, is there a curriculum map or perhaps a class letter which says what is being covered in the term?
If not, then perhaps the next thing to do is ask the class teacher!

CanIMakeItToChristmas · 14/12/2013 18:00

The teaching of art is far more than painting pictures to take home for parents to put on the fridge. It is about learning skills and processes.
Also schools are expected to have evidence of their teaching. We have art folders and sketch books that move up through the school with them. Once you've sent it home how can you show that the child had developed specific skills over a period of time.

CanIMakeItToChristmas · 14/12/2013 18:03

example of breadth of art curriculum

Original poster
MrsUptight · 14/12/2013 18:07

CanImakeit I know! I studied art myself! Process schmocess. 5 year olds like to be given a brush, some paint and paper and allowed to go for it.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsUptight · 14/12/2013 18:07

As for showing the progress, they can keep most...just send some home...or photograph it all.

OP posts:
lilyaldrin · 14/12/2013 18:09

If you're worried about her not painting enough, can't she do some at home?

CanIMakeItToChristmas · 14/12/2013 18:12

As an artist you know painting is only one strand of art. Schemes of work often focus on a media or two a unit. Art will be happening at you DC's school; it reminds me of a child who told their parent they hadn't done any maths that week because our unit of work was measuring mass and capacity.
If you want paintings now do it with her at home then. Teachers do have a curriculum they need to follow rather than just letting it all be child initiated and creating paintings for mummy.

Original poster
MrsUptight · 14/12/2013 18:36

Lily I'd home educate if I had the time...she does art at home on the weekend of course but in school, it's important for them to be creative too!

And Makeit it's not "for mummy" but for HER. I don't only mean paintings...but making models etc. Why am I being met with such negativity??

OP posts: