Plan and reflect
Climb the “Yet” Ladder
Name something you can’t do yet, then plan the small steps that get you to the top.
Thinking sheet · Plan and reflect
Plan My Drawing
Before you draw: choose your idea, shapes and colors. After you draw: look back and set a goal.
- Grades
- 1–5
- Time
- about 15 minutes
- Topic
- Plan and reflect
- Kids practice
- planning, self-assessment, setting goals
What kids do
“Artists plan first. Fill in the top before you draw and the bottom after.”
- Before: I am going to draw…
- Shapes I will use
- My colors (color a dot of each)
- A tiny practice sketch
- After: how did it go?
- One part I’m proud of
- Next time I will try…
How to run it
- Use it with any step-by-step lesson or free drawing time.
- The practice sketch should be fast: thumbnail size, no erasing.
- Staple it to the finished drawing for portfolios.
Talk about it
- Did your plan change while you drew? Why?
- What shape did you use most?
- What will you try next time?
Take it further
Keep a month of plans and look for one skill that improved.
Pairs well with
Free for home and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need.
More thinking sheets
Plan and reflect
Be a Kind Art Critic
Look at a friend’s drawing like a museum critic: describe it, praise it, ask a question and give it a title.
Plan and reflect
Then and Now Drawing
Draw the same thing today and again in a few weeks. Compare them and spot what improved.
Plan and reflect
My Goal Map
Put a goal in the middle and map out everything that will help you reach it.
Free for teachers
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