I teach art at two schools in the same district. One serves preschool and kindergarten, and another serves grades 1 through 5. Together, I teach 24 sections across seven grade levels.

I’ve been teaching for 26 years, but only the last four have been in art. Before that, I taught both special education and 4th grade.

Planning for seven grade levels across two schools using only the standards was challenging. I wasn’t always sure what supplies I’d need or whether there would be a budget for them.

Studio Sprout saves me a lot of out-of-school planning time. I love being able to access everything online instead of carrying binders and books home.

One of the biggest benefits has been grouping grade levels together. This year grades 1 and 2 completed the same project, and grades 4 and 5 did another. That dramatically reduced the number of different lessons I was managing at once.

I also love how lessons connect to children’s books while giving students both structure and choice. It’s a really beautiful balance.

Because the lesson structure stays consistent, students know what to expect. They’re excited to experiment with new materials and learn about different artists.

During the Marlena Myles bus project, several third graders talked about how powerful it felt to create art with a message. Many of my students don’t often get opportunities to travel beyond our community, so realizing art can create change was incredibly meaningful for them.

One of my favorite moments came after our Breathing Boards lesson. A first grader who struggles with self-regulation told me, “I crushed it by calming down! I breathed in, I breathed out, and I was calm again.”

It’s a wealth of resources that you can use all of the time or just when you need it to strengthen your program.

If you’re looking for high-quality instruction, engaging projects, and meaningful student outcomes, it’s really the whole package.