Art Baselines with Answer Keys Pre-Assessment Middle School Art High School Art

It's the beginning of the school year in Art Class. You are ready to teach your middle and high school artists how to learn to draw and paint and learn about all things art.

But how do your check for prior knowledge?

How do you make sure you are not repeating information they already know, or worse, rolling out an art curriculum that is way over their heads?

These SIX Baseline Assessments will help you answer all of the above questions, and give you a clear understanding of what your middle and high school artists already know so you can move forward with well-planned art instruction.

Plus, it's just plain fun to have an art pre-assessment from the beginning of the semester or year. Kids can look back when your class time together is finished and witness all the artistic progress made along the way.

These NO prep, print and go art assessments give you SIX different options for the length, format and type of baseline your students need.

Baseline Assessments  included in this resource:

• Baseline Art 1/Foundations of Art - with Answer Key
• Baseline Art 1/Foundations Longer Format - with Answer Key
• Baseline Drawing - Beginners - with Answer Key
• Baseline Drawing Reference Images
• Baseline Color Theory - Beginners - with Answer Key
• Baseline Drawing Only - (No questions just drawing)
• Baseline Intermediate/Advanced  - with Answer Key

Why so many? Well, honestly, I get bored giving the same ones year after year, and I figured if I get bored, you probably do too, so why not just include all of them? (There are actually more in my files but I didn’t want to completely overwhelm you!)

These baselines have multiple choice, short answer questions and drawing prompts, and there is one that is just drawing prompts - no questions. There is a long and short format for Art 1, too, you will know which one is best for your unique classroom situation.

Rationale: Why give a Baseline Assessment?

The only way to know exactly who is in your classroom and what their ability levels are, is to give them an assessment. I keep mine simple, so as to not overwhelm the kids. The questions are very clearly stated, and I always assure them that there is no “grade” for this exercise. This exercise is designed to help me help them. That is my goal. Helping people.

I always get good effort from the kids no matter which assessment we use. They know I am sincere in my quest for their greatness. 

Timeline: When do I give a Baseline Assessment?

Not on the first day. For a couple of reasons.

Kids are super anxious on the first day. They have a zillion things flying at them all at once in every class. Art class is very intimidating for most kids, especially if they do not feel confident in their artistic ability.

I always wait until the end of the first project, which is always a mixed media “Get to Know You” type of project. Please feel free to check out my mixed media collage lessons HERE.

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There are hundreds of examples of student work on both my Instagram @mrstfoxresources and my Pinterest MrsTFox Resources - be sure and check it out!

MrsTFox Resources is now on YouTube - please check out my FREE mini-workshop content on a variety of art subjects - Drawing, Painting, Classroom Management - for Art Educators complete with classroom resources (links to resources in video descriptions)

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All my best for a safe and productive school year,

Thank you for stopping by!

tiffany :)