How to teach art at a homeschool co-op

To teach art at a homeschool co-op, plan around one theme per week and offer it at three levels: tracing for the youngest, step-by-step drawing for the middle group and grid drawing for older kids. Use a simple session structure (warm-up, lesson, project, share), keep supplies basic and let older kids help younger ones.

The co-op challenge

Co-op classes often mix ages from 4 to 12, meet once a week and run on a volunteer’s time and budget. The answer is a plan that’s easy to prep and flexible across ages.

A one-hour session structure

1. Warm-up game (10 minutes). The squiggle game or draw-what-I-describe. See drawing games for kids.
2. Lesson (20 minutes). One theme at three levels. Project a step-by-step page for the main group.
3. Project (20 minutes). Use the lesson character in a scene, comic or card.
4. Share (10 minutes). A gallery walk or a few volunteers show their work.

One theme, three levels

• Ages 4 to 6: trace then color the theme character. See Trace Then Color.
• Ages 6 to 9: draw it step by step. See How to Draw.
• Ages 9 to 12: draw it by grid. See Draw by Grid.

See drawing with mixed ages for why this works.

A 12-week theme plan

1. Shapes become characters
2. Baby animals
3. Pets
4. Dinosaurs
5. Sea creatures
6. Robots
7. Aliens and space
8. Monsters
9. Funny faces and feelings
10. Animal mash-ups
11. Comics
12. Art show

Free pages for many of these are in the drawing ideas hubs. For a longer plan, see the 36-week homeschool drawing curriculum.

Supplies on a budget

• Pencils, erasers and crayons for everyone (ask families to send a labeled pouch).
• Printer paper.
• One copy of each book for the leader; kids draw on paper, not in the book.
• Free printables for take-home practice. The free use page explains what you can print for a group.

Managing the room

• Seat by level, so each table has one task.
• Older helpers. Ask a 10-year-old to help a 5-year-old. Both benefit.
• Clear routines. Same structure every week.
• Parent volunteers. One per table, if possible.

Ending the term

A simple art show is a lovely finish. See host a kids’ art show. For more on running groups, see the after-school art club plan.

The book that helps

Theme trios are made for co-ops: younger kids trace, middle kids draw step by step and older kids draw by grid, all on the same theme.

Trace Then Color: Cartoon DinosaursSee it on Amazon

How to Draw: Cartoon DinosaursSee it on Amazon

Draw by Grid: Cartoon DinosaursSee it on Amazon

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