Spark Conversation and Connection with Art Room Hot Takes

A Hot Take is a sensational opinion. All students have one—so how do you get them to share them respectfully?

Cue Hot Takes! Maudeleora Kaufman, a high school visual and performing arts teacher in Virginia, shares how this simple, fun activity can transform your classroom culture and prompt meaningful dialogue.

You can bring in Hot Takes at any point in the school year or class period:

• Get to know each other at the beginning of the year or semester
• Recenter your rapport with students
• Connect students after a long break
• Make it a quick ice breaker at the beginning of class
• Do it as a brain break during studio time
• Close the period with an exit ticket

Use Hot Takes as a formative assessment tool, or assess the activity itself. You can assess students based on participation, respectful discussion, and thoughtful points. Whatever the activity’s purpose, it’s best to gradually introduce students to playing.

Here are three simple levels to playing:

1. Low Stakes Hot Takes: Start with light opinions, like favorite foods or teams.
2. Art History Exposure: Get students examining art and forming their own opinions.
3. Generate Hot Takes: Encourage students to make and share their own!

For more resources, check out these links:

• How to Help Your Students Learn to Talk to Each Other Again
• The Hottest Takes in Art Education (Ep. 476)

To chat about building student relationships with other art teachers, join us in The Art of Ed Community!