YAY! Scheduled IEP meetings… Said no teacher, EVER!

I’ve rarely met an educator who looked forward to IEP meetings. Beyond adding to our already heavy workloads, creating meaningful goals and presenting effective strategies and accommodations for students is far easier said than done. We often struggle to use appropriate language that satisfies legal requirements while remaining understandable to parents. We face limited resources and flexibility, minimal support in the classroom, and an ever-increasing number of students needing adaptations and modifications.

The challenges are real: navigating complex legal requirements, addressing diverse student needs, and feeling the pressure to provide solutions – all while managing our regular teaching responsibilities. It’s no wonder IEP meetings can feel overwhelming, even for the most dedicated of us.

Art Goals for Students Enrolled in the CASP Education Program

When I was teaching students enrolled in the CASP Program, I needed to come up with art goals and find a way to align them with the program’s objectives. I felt that that was pretty hard to do. Finding the right words to describe what I was doing in the classroom and putting them on paper was quite a challenge.

Here are some ideas of art activities and SMART goals you can use to support your students’ development. The goals i’m presenting below are aligned with the program’s objectives of increasing autonomy and social participation.

1. Sensory Painting

SMART Goal: By the end of the semester, the student will complete three paintings using at least two different sensory materials (e.g., sandpaper, bubble wrap, or sponges) with 80% engagement during each session.

Activity: Provide textured materials for painting (e.g., sponges, feathers, or bubble wrap). Let students explore applying paint on paper or canvas using these tools.

Measurement: Track engagement levels using a checklist and note the variety of materials used.

2. Tissue Paper Collage

SMART Goal: Within six weeks, the student will create two themed tissue paper collages by following a step-by-step process with minimal teacher prompts (no more than three per session).

Activity: Students crumple or cut tissue paper and glue it onto shapes (e.g., animals or trees). Encourage them to choose colors and patterns independently.

Measurement: Assess independence by tracking the number of prompts needed and completion of each collage.

3. Digital Art Exploration

SMART Goal: Over eight weeks, the student will create four digital artworks using a tablet, demonstrating proficiency in at least three digital tools (e.g., brush, eraser, and color picker).

Activity: Use a drawing app on tablets to teach basic digital art techniques. Allow students to experiment with different tools to create their own designs.

Measurement: Monitor how many tools are used correctly and how many artworks are completed.

4. Storytelling Through Art

SMART Goal: By the end of the term, the student will create a three-panel storyboard illustrating a simple story sequence (beginning, middle, end) with 90% accuracy in sequencing.

Activity: Guide students to draw or paint a narrative based on their favorite characters or everyday routines. Use templates to help structure their work.

Measurement: Evaluate the accuracy of sequencing and completeness of the panels.

5. Nature-Inspired Sculpture

SMART Goal: Within two months, the student will create one sculpture using natural materials (e.g., leaves, sticks, stones) while demonstrating improved fine motor skills by manipulating at least three different materials.

Activity: Take students outdoors to collect natural items. Use these materials to build sculptures such as animals or abstract forms.

Measurement: Observe and document fine motor skill improvements during material handling.

Measuring Progress

To track progress towards these goals you can:

• Use observation checklists to record your students’ engagement and skill development
• Create visual portfolios showcasing your students’ artworks over time
• Conduct simple assessments of you students’ ability to identify emotions in their own and others’ artworks
• Track instances of social interaction during group art activities

Strategies to Implement Goals

You can employ various strategies to help your students achieve their art goals:

1. Break Tasks into Steps: Provide clear, step-by-step instructions for each activity to reduce overwhelm and increase understanding.

2. Use Visual Supports: Incorporate visual schedules or pictorial guides to explain processes and expectations for art projects.

3. Offer Choices: Allow your students to choose colors, materials, or themes to foster independence and personal expression.

4. Incorporate Interests: Tailor activities around your students’ favorite topics (e.g., animals, cartoons) to increase motivation and engagement.

5. Adapt Tools: Use adaptive art tools like larger paintbrushes or dot markers for students with fine motor challenges.

6. Create a Quiet Workspace: Designate a calm area for students who may be sensitive to noise.

7. Peer modeling: Pair your students with peers who can demonstrate art techniques and social skills.

8. Routine-based learning: Incorporate art activities into daily routines to reinforce skills and increase comfort levels.

Examples of Art Activities to Support Goal Achievement

1. Sensory painting: Explore textures by painting with various tools like sponges, feathers, or bubble wrap.

2. Emotion collage: Create simple collages using magazine cutouts or pre-cut shapes to represent different emotions.

3. Group mural: Collaborate on a large-scale artwork where each student contributes according to their abilities. This fosters teamwork while allowing personal creativity.

4. Nature art: Collect natural materials during outdoor activities and create simple arrangements or rubbings.

5. Adaptive tool exploration: Experiment with various adaptive art tools to find what works best for each student.

6. Colour mixing station: Set up a simple colour mixing activity using primary colours to create new shades.

7. Texture boards: Create boards with different textures that students can touch and later recreate using art materials.

These activities are designed to align with SMART goals by being specific in purpose, measurable through progress tracking, attainable based on skill levels, relevant to artistic development, and time-bound for structured achievement.

Conclusion

Art is more than just a creative outlet for your students in the CASP education program—it’s a powerful tool for developing essential life skills. By carefully designing SMART goals and implementing thoughtful, adaptive art activities, we can help our students:

• Improve fine motor skills
• Enhance social interaction
• Develop emotional expression
• Increase personal autonomy
• Build confidence and self-esteem

The key is to remain flexible, patient, and innovative. Each student is unique, and their artistic journey will look different. By focusing on individual strengths and providing supportive, structured environments, we can transform art from a simple activity into a meaningful learning experience.