Mexican Unit: Sombrero Art Project
My third grade classes are a creative and energetic bunch. They have a hard time sitting still. Instead… [more]
Maud Lewis Lighthouse Mix Media
This folk artist from Canada is one of my most favorite artists. Her vibrant, child-like art is not only… [more]
Elephant Art Project
Eric Carle's latest book The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is as delightful as the rest of his other… [more]
Cardboard Fish Project
This art project was a huge success with my Kinder students. If the project looks familiar, that's because… [more]
RECENT POSTS…
Clay Projects
I've been up to my ears in clay. The 6th grade students have finished their portion of the annual ceramic tile mural project. The project is coming along beautifully except the tiles have taken a long time to dry. They'll be fired at the end of the week, glazed next week, fired again and finally, installation. Can't wait! 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students have made pinch pots, alien monsters, frogs, pigs, elephants and Santa Barbara … [Read More...]
Art Inspired Mother’s Day Gifts
It may sound hokey, but I don't think there is a better gift than a piece of art created by a child. To know that your very own child chose that particular color and made those particular lines is pure magic to me. And while acts of creative expression are precious and rare, don't feel bad if you think your child won't ever come up with a piece of art on his own. Art can be hard. If I asked you to sit down and paint a picture for your mom, how … [Read More...]
American Flag Art Project
What can you do with a box of paper scraps and 40 minutes? An American Flag Collage, of course! My Kinders drew a box and lines on a piece of 12" x 18" white paper and then filled the square with torn blue scraps of paper. They added red papers of all textures and shades to the stripes. This was a great exercise in fine motor skills as the children focused on tearing the paper into tiny bits. Some kids even got clever and added white stars. A … [Read More...]
Book review: A Bird or Two
I'm always on the hunt for engaging picture books for the art room. Of course, I love all books, but if I can find a story about a famous artist then I'm thrilled! A trip to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art's bookstore produced a bounty of beautiful picture books, including this little beauty... Bijou Le Tord's A Bird or Two: A Story about Henri Matisse is probably the best book on Matisse that I have read. The illustrations by the author are … [Read More...]
Elephant Art Project
Eric Carle's latest book The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is as delightful as the rest of his other titles. Journey through a young artist's imagination as he paints a blue horse, a red crocodile, a yellow cow, an orange elephant and many others. My first graders loved this book and were excited to create their own orange elephant. As with all of my Eric Carle inspired lessons, the children painted their own orange paper and used their … [Read More...]
5 Reasons to Attend a Blog Conference
I returned home from the lovely Snap! Creativity at Your Fingertips Conference in Utah yesterday. To say it was a smorgasbord of color, creativity and learning is an understatement. Blogger panels, photography workshops, crafter's marketplace & workshops plus an endless stream of happy faces pretty much sums up Snap! But what is a blog conference and why should you go? How do you know if you are ready to spend money on a seemingly … [Read More...]
Watercolor Iguana Art Lesson
Here is an easy watercolor art project starring an interesting creature...iguanas! My fourth grade students had a blast drawing the iguana with a black oil pastel and then using watercolors and special watercolor techniques to create these stunning pieces of art. Simple supplies are required: 12" x 18" watercolor paper, black oil pastels, pan-style watercolor palettes, salt, tissues and brushes. I used the same steps and … [Read More...]
BUNDLED ART LESSONS
Modern Masters Art Lesson Plans
The Modern Masters introduces children to the wonderful world of Van Gogh, Cézanne, Chagall and Matisse. Using famous paintings to understand the artist's styles, children reproduce their own paintings. These lessons are classic examples of how mixing art history with simple techniques can create the most beautiful works of art that every parent will want to frame! This 27-page booklet features four complete lessons and is perfect for … [Read More...]
What Do You See? Art Lesson Plans
Based on the books by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, my What Do You See? Art Lesson booklet contains three adorable art lessons for the younger set. Children create their own painted paper for either a brown bear, panda bear or polar bear and use templates to create their own bear. Alternatively, the polar bear lesson uses either observational drawing skills or templates for the project. The lessons will take three, forty-minute class sessions … [Read More...]
Art & Literature II Art Lesson Plans
Art and Literature is a natural combination. Art lessons flow directly from the illustrated pages of the picture books and right onto the art tables. For this 23-page Art Booklet, I have chosen three beautifully illustrated books and created kid-friendly, classroom-tested art lessons for you to use. Each lesson has a supply list, photo-tutorials, gallery of actual student's work plus my popular How-to-Draw handouts. Plus, as an added bonus, I've … [Read More...]
American Indian Art Lesson Plans
Learning how art impacts every culture and civilization in the world is an important part of any art curriculum. I remember learning about Canada’s native population in second grade. Making igloos from marshmallows and creating my own “Eskimo” paper doll remains my most vivid childhood art experience. The art hasn’t changed much, but the verbiage has. The National Museum of the American Indian was a tremendous help in sorting out … [Read More...]
I Can Draw & Paint Art Lesson Plans
I've said it before and I'll said it again; don't underestimate Kinders. Yes, they can be a tad bit rambunctious at times but reign them in and you have an eager audience. I love teaching this grade level. When the line of twenty tiny bodies walk through my door in September, the reason I teach art comes with them. They love art. They will soak up everything you tell them. If you teach them to draw a fish, they will draw dozens before the day … [Read More...]
Easy Clay Projects Art Lesson Plans
Working with clay is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences of a child's elementary art career. All that squeezing and shaping and then finally....a finished piece! Kids love them and parents treasure them. It's a win-win situation. But sometimes, working with clay can be a daunting experience. Believe me, I've been there! Hopefully, I can take the fear out of working with clay and show you that it can be done with little or no … [Read More...]
Frida and Diego Art Lesson Plans
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are two of Mexico's most celebrated artists. I adore all art from Mexico. There is an element of color and composition that evokes wonderful emotions. I'm always looking for inspirational pieces to round out my art curriculum and especially showcase artists from Mexico. These two lessons feature elements of Frida and Diego's art: Frida's Portraits and Diego's symmetrical flower venders. Frida Kahlo Portrait: … [Read More...]
Fun with Paper Art Lesson Plans
I love paper: craft paper, painted paper, wrapping paper, colored paper...I love it all! In my art room, students make their own painted paper all the time. As a result, we have loads of extra paper scraps that I can't bear to throw out. The next five art lessons turn my paper scraps into beautiful works of art. The 23-page Fun with Paper booklet is designed for grades K-5. Ship-Shape Sailboats and Houses Based on the book Ship-Shapes by … [Read More...]
African Art Lesson Plans
Inspired by the cultures of Africa, this 21-page booklet offers four lessons for the early elementary student. Using basic supplies (colored paper, oil pastels, tempera paint and waterproof markers) you'll find all of these lesson simple, fun and educational. Lesson #1 African Huts Colorful mud huts are created using paper and pastel then placed upon a radiant painted sunset.Children learn composition, pattern and perspective. A visually … [Read More...]
