Episode Summary: Mastering Art—Using Narration to Boost Engagement and Mastery

Podcast: Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast
Host: Scott Bertram
Guest: Abigail Teska, Lower and Upper School Art Teacher, Seven Oaks Classical School
Air Date: December 29, 2025
Episode Duration: ~20 minutes

Overview

In this episode, host Scott Bertram welcomes Abigail Teska to discuss the powerful role of narration in the art classroom, specifically within a classical education framework. The conversation explores what narration is, its roots in educational tradition, why and how it can deepen students’ engagement, and practical narration activities that promote mastery and joy in learning art.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is Narration in Art Education?

• Abigail explains that narration goes beyond just storytelling—it is about “telling back” what you’ve learned or observed, making learning active rather than passive.
• She connects narration to the overall goal of classical education: educating the whole child, ensuring every student is engaged, retains knowledge long-term, and can transfer learning across disciplines.
• Quote:

  "Most simply, narration comes from the Latin word which means 'to tell.' And when most people think about narration, they think about telling stories. But actually, in art class... it goes much beyond just simple storytelling." —Abigail Teska (04:00)

2. Why is Narration Effective?

• Narration exercises demand higher-order thinking by requiring concentration, attention to detail, active recall, and application of prior knowledge.
• Abigail frames narration as a proven classical technique that consolidates memory and understanding:
• Quote:

  "Narrative exercises actually take a greater degree of brain power than just listening to a lecture." —Abigail Teska (05:19)

• Narration is also framed as “formative assessment”—a regular, low-stakes way to check and deepen student understanding.
• Quote:

  "Narration as well has been proven as a very elegant teaching tool, particularly as a form of what we call a formative assessment." —Abigail Teska (08:26)

3. The Classical Roots of Narration

• Traced to the first century (Quintilian’s treatises) and further developed by John Locke in the 17th century.
• Originally developed as a means for students to master rhetoric, or the art of speaking.
• Quote:

  "Narration is actually a pedagogical practice of the classical tradition. We actually see its earliest roots in the first century with Quintilian..." —Abigail Teska (07:30)

4. Best Age for Narration Activities

• Abigail observes that elementary students are naturally enthusiastic, but middle schoolers—who can lose some wonder due to academic pressures—are a “sweet spot” for re-engagement through narration.
• Especially effective—and joyful—for middle school boys, who often respond well to the interactive, detective-style elements.
• Quote:

  "I find that the sweet spot to introduce narrative exercises might actually be in middle school." —Abigail Teska (10:12)

5. Favorite Narration Activities in Art

• Abigail shares several practical activities to make art learning deeper and more personal:
  • The Five Senses (11:18):
    • Students imagine what a person in a painting (e.g., Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte) might see, hear, smell, and what questions they’d ask them.
    • Purpose : Enter the scene, deepen observation, and personalize experience.
  • Art Detective (13:00):
    • Students study symbolic or enigmatic elements—like ancient Greek vases—and create narratives to "decode" the imagery.
    • Notable Moment:
      • "The amazing thing is when they read back their stories to me ... the students are shocked about how close their story is to the original."
  • Recall a Masterpiece (15:24):
    • Students verbally reconstruct a previously studied artwork in detail, describing background, foreground, focal points, and artistic style to reinforce memory.
  • Predict the Master Artist (16:53):
    • Given a Monet landscape in outline, students use color theory to predict and recreate likely color schemes, often matching Monet’s own choices, fostering excitement and a sense of mastery.

6. Broader Outcomes and Joy of Narration

• These exercises foster deep engagement and give students tools to appreciate and analyze art beyond the classroom—like spending real reflection time in a museum.
• Narration cultivates both wonder and the skills for lifelong learning across all subjects, not just art.
• Quote:

  "Henri Matisse said, 'art needs a withinness.' So there's this necessity for anyone who hopes to better appreciate ... that they need to enter into the painting..." —Abigail Teska (18:49)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Narrative exercises actually take a greater degree of brain power than just listening to a lecture.”
  —Abigail Teska (05:19)
• "You want the students to paint with their words what the picture or the painting looks like."
  —Abigail Teska (15:27)
• "Anyone can be an artist and they could think like an artist and gain mastery of the material that we're learning."
  —Abigail Teska (17:47)
• "I'm always trying to find fun and inventive ways of inviting my students to kind of understand the works of art they study more deeply, and in that way, kind of be moved toward awe and appreciation and wonder, but also give them the toolkit..."
  —Abigail Teska (19:04)

Key Timestamps

• 02:37 – What is narration in art?
• 04:20 – Practical example: narration in a Renaissance lecture
• 07:29 – Historical roots of narration (Quintilian, Locke)
• 08:14 – Narration as formative assessment
• 10:00 – Best ages for narration
• 11:05 – Favorite classroom activities:
  • Five Senses (11:18)
  • Art Detective (13:00)
  • Recall a Masterpiece (15:24)
  • Predict the Master Artist (16:53)
• 18:21 – Narration cultivates deeper appreciation of art and provides tools for lifelong learning.

Conclusion

Abigail Teska’s engaging explanations and classroom stories illustrate how narrative exercises can turn art education from passive viewing to active, joyous mastery. Grounded in classical tradition yet flexible and fun, narration in the art room gives students not only better memory and engagement, but also lifelong habits of appreciation and inquiry.