A Curious Classroom: Designing for Discovery Through Thinking Routines
Includes a Live Web Event on 09/16/2026 at 7:00 PM (EDT)
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Register
- Non-member - $49
- Member - Free!
A Curious Classroom: Designing for Discovery Through Thinking Routines
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
FREE for NAEA members; $49 for nonmembers
A Curious Classroom redefines the art room as a laboratory for inquiry rather than a space for production. Thinking routines aren’t just “steps”—they are the scaffolding that allows students to dive deeper into their own curiosity. Join us for this session focused on making student thinking visible.
Participants will explore:
-The Power of Routine: How simple, repeatable frameworks can unlock complex student insights.
-Discovery by Design: Practical ways to structure your room and lessons to invite constant questioning.
-A K-12 Perspective: Seeing how these routines scale from the youngest artists to advanced students.
Jason Blair
Art Educator, Dublin City Schools, Dublin, OH
Jason Blair is a veteran art educator with 24 years of experience. He spent 5 years collaborating with Harvard University’s Project Zero conducting research focused on cultivating creative and civic capacities. Jason serves as educator-in-residence at the Columbus Museum of Art and works nationally as a creativity consultant supporting schools and districts. He regularly presents at local, state, and national conferences and has delivered keynote addresses for art education associations in Ohio, Colorado, and New York. His work emphasizes creative thinking, collaboration, and meaningful civic engagement, inspiring educators to design learning experiences that nurture curiosity and empower students and communities.
Todd Elkin
Art Educator/Department Chair, Washington High School, Fremont, CA
Todd Elkin is a visual artist, arts educator, writer, and researcher. He earned a BFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the San Francisco Art Institute, a teaching credential from Cal State East Bay, and an MEd from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition to being a full-time visual arts teacher and fine arts department chair at Washington High School in Fremont, California, Todd has served as a mentor teacher in the Art21 Educators Program and as a senior faculty member in the Alameda County Office of Education’s Integrated Learning Specialist Program. Elkin is cofacilitator with Arzu Mistry of The Accordion Book Project. In 2016, he coauthored the artists’ book Unfolding Practice: Reflections on Learning and Teaching with Arzu Mistry.
Upon completion of this NAEA webinar, you may earn 1 hour of professional development credit as designated by NAEA. Once the webinar is completed, you may view/print a Certification of Participation under the "Contents" tab. You may also print a transcript of all webinars attended under the "Dashboard" link in the right sidebar section of the page.
Clock hours provided upon completion of any NAEA professional learning program are granted for participation in an organized professional learning experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction, and can be used toward continuing education credit in most states. It is the responsibility of the participant to verify acceptance by professional governing authorities in their area.
