Learn how to create a successful introduction to art curriculum by starting with the basics, scaffolding, and mixing activities and projects.
Engaging process art activities are the foundation of this pre-k art curriculum for children ages 3 and up. Also great for art therapy.
This online art curriculum will help you add the beauty and creativity of art class to your homeschool while inspiring your child with the fundamentals of art.
Free homeschool art curriculum with famous artists, art history lessons, world culture, easy art techniques and a weekly online art lesson.
How to use bell work in art class to get students on task while giving yourself a few minutes to prep for class.
Here is the Elementary Art Curriculum Map that all K-4 art teachers in Chelmsford follow. You can click on the picture for an enlarged view National Visual Art Standards BY grade 4 1.1 Use a variety of materials and media, for example, crayons, chalk, paint, clay, various kinds of papers, textiles, and yarns, and understand how to use them to produce different visual effects 1.2 Create artwork in a variety of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) media, for example: 2D – drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, weaving; 3D – plastic (malleable) materials such as clay and paper, wood, or found objects for assemblage and construction 1.3 Learn and use appropriate vocabulary related to methods, materials, and techniques 1.4 Learn to take care of materials and tools and to use them safely 2.1 For color, explore and experiment with the use of color in dry and wet media Identify primary and secondary colors and gradations of black, white and gray in the environment and artwork Explore how color can convey mood and emotion For example, students mix light and dark values of colors or predict the results of overlapping and blending primary colors. 2.2 For line, explore the use of line in 2D and 3D works Identify a wide variety of types of lines in the environment and in artwork For example, students take a walk around the school and note jagged, straight, curved, thick, and thin lines. 2.3 For texture, explore the use of textures in 2D and 3D works Identify a wide variety of types of textures, for example, smooth, rough, and bumpy, in the environment and in artwork Create representations of textures in drawings, paintings, rubbings, or relief 2.4 For shape and form, explore the use of shapes and forms in 2D and 3D works Identify simple shapes of different sizes, for example, circles, squares, triangles, and forms, for example, spheres, cones, cubes, in the environment and in artwork 2.5 For pattern and symmetry, explore the use of patterns and symmetrical shapes in 2D and 3D works Identify patterns and symmetrical forms and shapes in the environment and artwork. Explain and demonstrate ways in which patterns and symmetrical shapes 3.1 Create 2D and 3D artwork from direct observation For example, students draw a still life of flowers or fruit, action studies of their classmates in sports poses, or sketches of the class pet having a snack or a nap. 3.2 Create 2D and 3D expressive artwork that explores abstraction For example, a student simplifies an image by making decisions about essential colors, lines, or textures. 3.3 Create 2D and 3D artwork from memory or imagination to tell a story or embody an idea or fantasy For example, students draw members of a family from memory; illustrate a character in a folktale or play; build a clay model of an ideal place to play; or make images that convey ideas such as friendship. 4.1 Select a work or works created during the year and discuss them with a parent, classmate, or teacher, explaining how the work was made, and why it was chosen for discussion For example, a first grader chooses a painting and tells how she mixed the colors, and talks about the decisions she made. 4.2 Select works for exhibition and work as a group to create a display 4.3 As a class, develop and use criteria for informal classroom discussions about art 5.1 In the course of making and viewing art, learn ways of discussing it, such as by making a list of all of the images seen in an artwork (visual inventory); and identifying kinds of color, line, texture, shapes, and forms in the work 5.2 Classify artworks into general categories, such as painting, printmaking, collage, sculpture, pottery, textiles, architecture, photography, and film 5.3 Describe similarities and differences in works, and present personal responses to the subject matter, materials, techniques, and use of design elements in artworks 5.4 (Grades 3 and 4) Explain strengths and weaknesses in their own work, and share comments constructively and supportively within the group 6.1 When viewing or listening to examples of visual arts, architecture, music, dance, storytelling, and theatre, ask and answer questions such as, “What is the artist trying to say?” “Who made this, and why?” “How does this work make me feel?” 6.2 Investigate uses and meanings of examples of the arts in children’s daily lives, homes, and communities For example, children learn and teach other children songs in languages other than English; interview parents and community members about dances, songs, images, and stories that are part of their family and cultural heritage. 7.1 Investigate how artists create their work; read about, view films about, or interview artists such as choreographers, dancers, composers, singers, instrumentalists, actors, storytellers, playwrights, illustrators, painters, sculptors, craftspeople, or architects For example, teachers invite an illustrator of children’s books to school to show how she creates her illustrations. 8.1 Identify characteristic features of the performing and visual arts of native populations and immigrant groups to America, such as • styles of North American native cultures of the East Coast, Plains, Southwest, and Northwest; • styles of folk and fine arts of immigrant groups from European, African, Latin American, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries For example, students look at examples of Native American clay containers from the Southwest, and wooden containers from the Northwest and compare the similarities and differences in form and decoration. 8.2 Identify characteristic features of the visual arts of world civilizations such as styles of ancient Egypt and Africa, China, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and the Medieval period in Europe 8.3 Perform or create works inspired by historical or cultural styles 9.1 When using art materials or handling and viewing artifacts or musical instruments, ask and answer questions such as • “What is this made of?” • “How does this instrument produce sound?” • “Would I design this differently?” • “Who first thought of making something like this?” For example, students examine a variety of percussion instruments, experiment with the different sounds they make, and learn about the cultures in which they were made. 10.1 Integrate knowledge of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts and apply the arts to learning other disciplines Examples of this include: • using visual arts skills to illustrate understanding of a story read in English language arts or foreign languages; • memorizing and singing American folk songs to enhance understanding of history and geography; • using short dance sequences to clarify concepts in mathematics.
Curriculum Map - Elementary Art Grade
Hi! I recently finished rewriting my K-6 art curriculum plan. We are required to do this every 4 years. You can see my first blog post about organizing curriculum that I wrote a few years back. I use the curriculum plan as a guide for my yearly planning. If students are interested in one area of art more than another, I tend to adapt my plans. If I have a brilliant idea for something new I want to try with … Read more... →
Kids love the thoughtfully designed art projects in this PreK-5 elementary art curriculum created by art teacher with 20+ years of experience
Henri Matisse turned to collage when he could no longer paint because of illness. This is a great hand out for students to use as a reference when creating a collage in the style of Henri Matisse. I tell my students that the shapes don't have to look exactly like the pictures. The pictures are sh...
This post covers tips to designing a successful middle school art curriculum. It's all about scaffolding, building confidence, and having fun
Hello! I am already seeing lots of posts in Facebook groups asking what to do in the first few days of art class. In this post, I will walk you through what I plan to do this year in my classes. This is very similar to what I have done in other years. First, I start all classes with basic introductions and talking about the room and art class. We go over the rules and expectations. I use a video … Read more... →
Roy Lichtenstein is one of my favorite artists. His work is bright, bold, graphic, and thought provoking. We were visiting Chicago a couple of years ago, and as luck would have it, we were there during an AMAZING Lichtenstein retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago . (Side note: if y
Looking for a comprehensive homeschool art curriculum or inspiration for projects? Here are some great options!
Objective: Students will be able to identify the work of artist Faith Ringgold and create their own work of art that tells a story! Vocabulary: Story Quilt, Symmetry, Reflection, Rotation, Slide, P…
Use this collection of Paul Klee teaching resources and complete Klee Famous Artist Unit lesson plans to teach elementary art class.
Every year in my first year classes (12 year olds) I touch on the principles of perspective, at least in its one point form. We do a little art history, take a look at Masaccio and Mantegna. We mak…
Free PDF agaograph art activities for all ages. These free freeprintable agamograph templates are in themes such as spring, summer, and more.
Looking for fun, educational games for art class? Check out these three simple games you can put together in a few minutes.
Create a Syllabus That Your Students Will Actually Want to Read. Free Resource to download to help you create an Art Syllabus for your art students. Want to try your hand at a visual syllabus? We'll give you three helpful hints. This article will take 8 minutes to read.
Scaffolded High School Curriculum Curriculum Design % %
Hey, y'all! We are officially back in school and in full swing! Our first days of art were spent printing dots after reading The Dot! We used Gelli-Arts plates to print our dots because I found that I had about 20 brand new round plates in my storage closet (wow, the things you find when you clean). Here's the video I created for my students: If you cannot see this video then it's because you are looking at my blog from your phone. Super annoying, I know. It's a blogger thing, it's not you. So here's the direct link to my YouTube page. You should totally subscribe because I add new content all the time. Now I know many of you don't have those Gelli Arts plates (and they are a bit expensive) so...I came up with an alternative for you: pie pans from Dollar Tree! I am using the pizza pie pans here: Again, if you can't see it, here it is. First grade through fourth were printing which means I had drying racks brimming with art. So a way to keep up with everything was clipping clothes pins with the teacher's names on them between the classes on the drying rack. Once dry, the clips were used to hold the artwork together. I know...every now and then I have a decent idea. After two 30 minute art classes of printing, my students looked at all of their prints and picked their fave for display. They then had to give their piece a title and 'sign it' like Vashti so it could be displayed in the hallway. Here was a video I created to explain this process: Need more Dot Day fun? Well, here is a simple one-day activity I created as a sub plan a couple of years ago. Sheet included: And if you want to check out a big ole blog post filled with TONS of Dot Day ideas, then here you go!
Students love creating cave art paintings! Lots of art materials are used for this layered project. I like to have my students create these projects at the beginning of the year to build their conf…
Kids love the thoughtfully designed art projects in this PreK-5 elementary art curriculum created by art teacher with 20+ years of experience
Digital Art. The website is called Digital Art Teacher, but have you ever noticed that we don’t actually have an art curriculum focused on digital art? Today, I am delighted to tell you that this is no longer the case! Below you’ll find a sequence of lessons that will fill a semester with creative and informative digital art lessons […]
Learn all about shadows and portraits with these 10 Resplendent Rembrandt Art Projects for Kids! Get inspired by the artist through study lessons about his art.
Don't miss out on these Henri Matisse Activities for Kids. These are great art projects for kids and are a great way to get them excited to learn.
Digital Art. The website is called Digital Art Teacher, but have you ever noticed that we don’t actually have an art curriculum focused on digital art? Today, I am delighted to tell you that this is no longer the case! Below you’ll find a sequence of lessons that will fill a semester with creative and informative digital art lessons […]
Dive into 50 engaging 6th-grade art projects to inspire creativity and teach vital art skills in middle school students.
Helpful collection of Paul Cezanne teaching resources and complete Cezanne Famous Artist Unit lesson plans to teach elementary art class.
Learn how you can sneak Art into your elementary or middle school curriculum without it being obvious. Great ideas for STEAM, language arts and student-lead research projects that will have your students learning in enriched ways through the arts.
There's so much more to do with kindergartners than finger painting.
Please Note: All images seen below are of my students artwork only. These photos/lessons are not posted in any particular order regarding the flow of my curriculum. Abstract Self-Portrait Paintin…
If you are looking for an art rubric for your elementary students, here’s one created with real teacher feedback.
Students are expected to come to every art class with a PENCIL & ERASER. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR ART PROGRAM Even though we do not have an art studio this claymation…
Painting 1 students studied the elements and principles of art and began a new “secret” watercolor project, more on that later. Right now we are working on design ideas using a matrix. …
Edgar Degas' unusual angles and attention to detail is remarkable; let's learn more about this artist with some enchanting Edgar Degas art projects for kids!
I wanted to find a new self portrait project for the first week of school this year. I saw some inspiration on pinterest, but there were no directions on how to create it. So I took the best from the pics I saw and tried to recreate it my style. I used my 5 year old to practice this before my 3rd graders start this year. Here's how I did it... Step 1: Take a photo of your student as they stand so you get their Profile shot. Step 2: Airdrop or send the photo to your computer and print it out on a regular black/white printer on plain white paper. Then take a thin tipped black marker or sharpie and trace the outline. Step 3: Fill in the profile with a black marker. I used a black crayola marker, but I'm sure any black marker or crayon will do. You can stop below the neck or go all the way to the bottom of the picture. Step 4: Cut out the black very carefully. Step 5: Glue it onto blank white paper or cardstock . Step 6: Take a black pen or pencil and a ruler and draw straight lines to separate the background into sections. Step 7: Design as you wish. I'm going to have my students choose things all about them. It could be words to describe them, favorite things they enjoy...and filled with pictures and words to show them. I like the idea of the name only being on the back, so when parents come in they can guess which one is their child. So that's it! I plan to back these on black paper and hang in my classroom. Hope they all turn out great. I think this might be my new favorite back to school portrait art project!! If you like it or plan to use it, I'd love to see your pics and comments too!
Create a Syllabus That Your Students Will Actually Want to Read. Free Resource to download to help you create an Art Syllabus for your art students. Want to try your hand at a visual syllabus? We'll give you three helpful hints. This article will take 8 minutes to read.
The Artists and the Elements is a year long art curriculum that combines the elements of art, art history, and hands on art projects that make art fun!
