1. Art and Craft in the
classroom: a waste of
time?
Workshop
by Caroline Campbell
6-7th September 2013
2nd ELT Conference Malta

2. In our digital classrooms, is there still
room for art and craft activities?

3. Why do EFL teachers use art and craft
activities in the classroom?

4. Reasons given by teachers
« It gives the children something to do.»
« Children like art and craft activities more than the
ones in their coursebooks.»
« Children really enjoy it!»
« Children calm down and remain in their chairs for
longer.»
« Children can take something home with them.»
« It makes the lesson less boring»
« Time passes really quickly.»
« It gives me a little break!»

5. Discuss
How can EFL teachers make
sure art and craft activities
are not a
waste of time?

6. Preparing for art and craft activities
Appropriacy
 Is the activity you have chosen appropriate
for the young learners in your class?
Age – Linguistic and motor skills –
Adequate for boys and girls – Interests etc.
 Will the children spend too much time
cutting, colouring in, pasting, etc.?

7. Preparing for art and craft activities
 Will you end up doing all the work for
them?
 Will you be able to provide enough
material for the
children to complete
the activity?

8. Preparing for art and craft activities
 Will all the children be able to achieve the
end result? Does it work?
 Will all the children have a finished
product which they
can use after the
activity?

9. Preparing for art and craft activities
Language
 Is there a context to the art and craft
activity you have chosen?
Linked to a topic - a text - a language point?
 Will the children need to interact and
communicate while doing the activity?
 What is/are the learning aim/s of the activity?

10. Preparing for art and craft activities
 What language will the children practise?
Before, during and after the activity.
 Can you adapt the activity such that it is
simpler, perhaps less artistic but more
language focused?
 Can you add more language to the activity
to make your lesson more effective?

11. Preparing for art and craft activities
Classroom management
 Have you thought about
classroom management?
• Before - During - After the activity.
• Giving instructions.
• Working individually – in pairs/groups.
• Tidying up.
• Dealing with disruptive behaviour.

12. Activity

13. Elephants
Blind dictation taken from A. Wright, Art and Crafts with Children. OUP

14. Before an activity
• Give clear and simple instructions. Demonstrate.
• Introduce children to the equipment/material they
will be using.
• Pre-teach vocabulary.
• Show the children an example of
a finished product and tell/show
them how they will use it.
• Motivate the children before they start the
activity.

15. During an activity
• Give simple and clear step by step instructions.
• Make sure the children know
what they have to do.
• Talk to the children as they
work.
• Use related songs or chants.
• Monitor as children work. Give individual
attention.
• Ask questions. Use «No-no questions».

16. During the activity
• Praise the children (if appropriate).
• Comment on their work. Ask them questions
• Model language e.g. Paolo, can you pass me the
scissors please?
• Encourage the children to ask for what they need.
• Have something up your sleeve
for early finishers.
• Ask early finishers to help
you tidy up.

17. After the activity
• Tell the children how they will use the end
product. Demonstrate.
• Ask questions about the art/craftwork itself.
Use «no-no questions»
• Use a variety of language skills.
• Set up the activity well.
• Set a time limit.
• Monitor and help with
language/take notes.

18. After the activity
• Make sure the activity does not lead to rowdy
behaviour.
• Make sure the children have their names on
the end product.
• Put the art/craftwork away if you would like to
continue with other activities.
• Encourage the students to use art/craft work
outside the classroom and to keep practising
the language they have learnt.

19. Add language to the art and craft
activity
• Vocabulary – e.g. introduce a set of words
• Grammar - e.g. students tell a story in the
present/past/future
• Reading – e.g. students read a short story/text
• Listening – e.g. teacher reads out a story/text
or students watch a short videoclip
• Speaking – e.g. a presentation
• Writing – e.g. students write a story to go with
their drawing or craftwork.
• Functional language – e.g. describing

20. Online creative activities
http://thisissand.com/
http://storybird.com/

21. http://thisissand.com/

22. http://storybird.com/

23. Some art and craft activities
Paper flowers
Plasticine fruit and vegetables Monster masks
Origami game

24. Task
Discuss
• How would you use these activities in class?
• What do you need to prepare?

25. References
Read, C. 2007. 500 Activities for the Primary Classroom, Macmillan
Wright, A. 2007. Art and Crafts with Children, Oxford University Press

26. There is still room for creativity in
the classroom!
«Creativity is contagious, pass it on» Albert Einstein

27. Thank you!
• Powerpoint Presentation available at:
www.carecampbell.blogspot.com
• Contact me at:
carecampbell@icloud.com
Caroline Campbell