Select appropriate students. In most schools, students have to apply to participate in the AP Studio Art program. As an AP Studio Art teacher, you may be asked to select students for the program. When selecting students, be sure to consider the candidates' work ethic. As AP Studio Art is essentially an independent study, a student who lacks self-motivation will be unlikely to succeed, regardless of how artistically gifted he is.
Evaluate students' previous work. Students need to be aware of their individual strengths and weaknesses. Gather previous works for each student and review them, then sit down with the students one on one and discuss their unique skills as well as areas in which they need to grow. Encourage students to work toward improving their skills in their areas of weakness as they move through the course, instead of just sticking to the areas in which they show strong skills.
Help students select a portfolio type. Students in AP Studio art can select from three portfolio types: 2-D, 3-D and drawing. While they are not required to select the type of portfolio that they want to complete until later in the course, you should encourage students to make a selection early on so that they can focus their study on the types of art that align with their portfolio type. Once a student has selected a portfolio type, discourage him from changing from his original selection. Students often try to jump ship when something seems hard, but this almost never works out to the student's benefit in the end. They are much better off if they just push through their difficulties and overcome their struggle.
Prepare art history mini-lessons. While the crux of AP Studio Art is the completion of a student portfolio, teachers should not become lackadaisical in their teaching and allow students to work on their individual work every day. Periodically teach a mini-lesson of 10 to 15 minutes in which you introduce students to the works of influential artists of the past. In each mini-lesson, show examples of the artist's work and speak briefly of the life circumstances that contributed to his work. This practice will increase the breadth of student understanding of the art world and allow them to apply techniques that previous masters have used in the creation of their work.
Practice art criticism. Serious artists have the ability to look critically at works of art. Practice the process of art criticism with your students. Complete formal and informal critiques of art in which you discuss the strengths and weaknesses of works of art with your students. Looking critically at the works of others will help students develop a critical eye and will make it easier for them to identify flaws in their own works.
Facilitate portfolio turn in. As the year draws to a close, students will be required to submit their art portfolios to the College Board so that they can be judged and it can be determined whether or not they will be granted college credit for their efforts. Familiarize yourself with the portfolio submission process in your area as it varies slightly depending on your location. Push students to complete their work on time so that their portfolio can be a true reflection of who they are as artists.