These are more lighthearted, fun projects that could take all kinds of different directions. I have a list of projects that I give to whoever may want it, and to a few others that I think might just take on the challenge. You can download my 3-page PDF list by clicking the image below, or get a customized Word version by clicking here.įor the rest of my students, summer homework is optional. The idea here is not for the photos to serve as the art project, per se the idea is to have a library of images that can serve as backgrounds, design elements, and inspiration for them come fall. Many students end up using the cameras on their phones, which is OK because the quality doesn’t have to be stellar. The more images they come in with, the better. The photos students take are referenced and utilized throughout the year in a myriad of projects. In addition, I send AP students home for the summer with a checklist of photography subjects. As long as the quality is there, I am open to just about any idea they bring to me. If students don’t like any of those 3 projects, or don’t want to do them, I allow them to complete projects of their own choosing. However, each of the three has enough open-endedness within a theme to allow students room for expression and personal voice. I type out assignment sheets for 3 projects with in-depth explanations. Required Work Projectsįor my students who will be in AP Studio Art, I require that they complete 2 projects over the summer that are “portfolio-worthy”. For me, there are always a few of ways to go about it–required summer homework and optional summer homework. I always enjoy making an addition to their plans–a little bit of summer homework from their (not always) favorite art teacher. Nothing seems to change at the end of the year, as kids are making plans for what they will be doing, or not be doing, over the summer. Yet for whatever reason, that talk never turns into action.

If your high schoolers are anything like my high schoolers, they love spending time talking about how bored they are.

Homework for high schoolers