Do you think this new found confidence would extend to other areas of their lives?
A few years ago, I had a student, Lincoln, that had the lowest confidence and didn't believe he could do anything even related to Art. Lincoln had this idea that it was so difficult that it was not even worth trying. Knowing this, I got excited to turn his lack of confidence and struggle into a successful triumph and maybe even find the parts of Art class he may actually enjoy.
Through a step-by-step instruction process and projects that he could relate to, Art class became a low pressure, fun, engaging, humorous place where Lincoln found success and not overwhelmed. By the end of the year, he was a completely different student with a joyous attitude towards Art. In addition to doing well in Art, his other academic areas also improved and ended the year with higher grades across all subjects and a better outlook on school.