
Painted Papers: Rubber Cement Resist
Grade Level 9-10, 11-12 Duration 20 class periods, periods are 50 minutes long Materials 140 lb watercolor paper, watercolor sets (Prang is recommended), board/cardboard, fine tip Sharpie, rubber cement Media watercolor, mixed media Lesson Objectives For the student to: explore the element of the art of line and color. understand how to use watercolor and […]

Eraser Print Patterns
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8 (ages 9-13 is ideal) Duration 3-5 class periods, 45 minutes long Materials Rice paper or other absorbent printing paper cut into 7- by 9-inch pieces—one for each child 1-inch square gum erasers—one for each child plus a few extra Guide sheets—print one for each child Black fine-line permanent markers (Faber-Castel markers […]

Owl Drawings
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8 Duration 3-4 periods, 45-minute periods Materials Brown bogus paper (kraft paper would be OK too) cut to 9×9 inch squares,, colored pencils, viewfinder, Media Color pencils Lesson Objectives For the student to… practice creating dynamic compositions through cropping For the student to create accurate values through the application of white and […]

Monster Burger/Sandwich Collages
Grade Level 5-6,7-8 Duration 5 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials A variety of colored construction paper, scissors, glue, and black construction paper for backing Media Collage Lesson Objectives For the student to… Stretch their imagination by imagining how the sandwich ingredients can be used to also create monster features. For the student to […]

Pixel Art Fun
Grade Level 6-7, 7-8 Duration 4 classes, 80 minutes Materials Graph paper (buy or make your own online here), acrylic Paint, ghost grid posterboard (Poster board featuring a faint, disappearing grid), square dowel cut down to make a stamp (same size as the grids on the poster board), printer, pencil, palette *As an Amazon Associate […]

Giuseppe Arcimboldo inspired Food Faces
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 Duration unknown Materials White drawing paper, pencil, Prismacolor color pencils, reference photos of fruit and vegetables Media Color pencils Lesson Objectives for the student to… learn about, explore and understand the ART ELEMENTS: Lines, Shapes, Form, Color, Texture, Space, and Value learn about, explore and understand the PRINCIPLES of DESIGN: […]

WHAM! Paper Relief Sculptures
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8 Duration Classes are 46 minutes long. Project took 6 days from intro to end. Materials -construction paper -tempera paint -bubble wrap -paintbrushes or brayer to apply paint to bubble wrap -foam board cut into small pieces (to create a 3D, relief effect) -regular glue -hot glue -scissors -some used X-Acto knives […]

Faceless Vector Portraits
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration Approximately one 45-minute period and two 90 minute periods total Materials Computer with Illustrator or Gravit Designer (free vector art alternative). Media Digital Lesson Objectives For the student to… achieve proficiency with a vector-based drawing program including using the pen tool and understanding layers. for the student to understand the […]

Faux Stained Glass
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8 Duration unknown Materials Tissue paper in various colors, wax paper, glue, paintbrushes, masking tape Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives For the student to… Look at and appreciate stained glass examples in art history as well as understand the purpose and uses for stain glass. Choose a subject matter and conduct research […]

Landscape Painting
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 Duration 10 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Variety of acrylic brushes, variety of acrylic paint (bottles are more practical) in basic colors, paper appropriate for acrylic paint (I like Strathmore 400 Series Acrylic Pad, Linen Finish, 9″x12″ Glue Bound, sold in pads of 10 Sheets), water cups, brush cleaner, […]

Haunted House
Grade Level 7-8 Duration 5 Class Periods Materials Art With Trista YouTube Video Tutorial Haunted House Handout Haunted House Slides Drawing paper/ watercolor paper pencil watercolors colored pencils Sharpies (ultra-fine & fine) Media Watercolor, Color pencils Lesson Objectives The student will be able to… learn about the roles and responsibilities of an architect. use multiple […]

Klimt Inspired Leaves/Tree
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8 Duration Five classes, 40 minute class periods Materials Cardstock, scissors, acrylic paint or acrylic ink, leaves for observational studies, drawing paper, or use sketchbooks (if your students have them), black fine line pens like Sharpies, metallic markers Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives Students will… practice their observation skills by drawing and […]

Mixed Media Nature Drawing
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8 Duration 5-6 periods, 47 minute periods Materials watercolor paper (the author used Shizen Design Punjab Watercolor Paper, 9 x 12 Inches, 140 lb, White, 25 Sheets sold by School Specialty), light table, (or window), pencil, basic drawing paper, colored and black sharpies, brushes, liquid watercolor paint Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives […]

Form Action Figures
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration 10 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Toned paper with some tooth, white pastel sets, white charcoal pencils, wood figure manikins for drawing and/or basic forms Media Chalk pastels Lesson Objectives For the student to… Understand how to shade to create form. Understand that all objects can be simplified to […]

Found Object Assemblage Inspired By Louise Nevelson
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Collect objects that are discarded. You can ask students, parents, and other teachers to bring in objects appropriate to the scale you wish to work. cardboard, scissors, utility knives, hot glue, wood glue, glue, tape, spray paint, paint, paintbrushes, found objects, […]

Pinch Vase and Bottle
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration two week project to build two of them. (90 minute block classes) Materials 3 to 4 pounds of clay Needle Tool A tool for scoring Ribbon Tools Wooden carving tools A bag to store your clay A bag to store your work. Slip or Vinegar Sketches what you are […]

Charles McGee Inspired Sculpture
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration 10 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Matboard (ask local framing shops for their scraps), scissors, black and white acrylic paint, acrylic brushes of varying size, glue Media Sculpture Lesson Objectives For the student to… Create varying levels of depth To explore line, shape and pattern Practice 3D composition skills […]

Collaged Winter Landscapes
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 Duration Five 45 minute classes Materials watercolors, watercolor paper, brushes, glue, salt, plastic wrap Media Watercolor, Collage Lesson Objectives For the student… to create various watercolor techniques on watercolor paper. to improvise a landscape through layering the ripped and torn paper Introductory Activity The student will be introduced to watercolors. […]

Nature monoprints with gelatin plates
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2-3 classes of 45 minute length Materials gelitin plate (homemade or commercial), inks (I used Speedball) or paints, brayers, newspaper, paper, leaves, ferns and other plant material, and texture plates or textured materials Media Printing, Monoprint Lesson Objectives Students will… create and original monoprint applying concepts of shape, […]

Ink Monsters
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2-3 45 minute class periods Materials Black India Ink. sharpie, micron pens, white smooth cardstock, scissors, glue. air spray canister (check and see if your tech folks have some to share) or straws, color pencils (optional) Media Pen and Ink, India Ink Lesson Objectives For the student to stretch […]

Nature Themed Collagraph
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration 10 classes, 45 minutes Materials For making the collagraph plate: Thin cardboard (like cereal boxes), thicker card to mount on, corrugated card, string, hot glue, white glue, Shellac (to seal) For printing: water based inks in red, blue, yellow, brayer, plexiglass for inking, printing paper, printing press (alternative, use a […]

Masks
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials This project was done with clay but could be done with paper mache. Student collect recycled material to create an armature from (cereal boxes, egg cartons, etc. Basic clay tools like a knife, rolling pin, sculpting tools, etc. Media Clay Lesson Objectives […]

Let Them Eat Cake! Pop Art Ceramics
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration 13 classes, 45 minutes Materials I used clay but this could also be done with paper mache Media Clay Lesson Objectives For the student to… Understand form and how to construct basic forms using slabs Gain undersstanding and appreciation for Pop Art and artists Introductory Activity For this project I […]

Abstract Soap Sculpture
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration 3-4 classes of 45 minute length Materials Bar of soap, small kitchen knife, potato peeler (optional), newspaper Media Lesson Objectives For the student to… become familiar with the life and work of Jean Arp. to understand subtractive sculpture and work subtractively in creating an original sculpture to understand and display […]

Zentangle Inspired Designs
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 7 periods, 45 minutes in length Materials Pencil, eraser, Ultra and Fine tip sharpies or Micron pens (Black, 01, 03, 05). Ideally, permanent markers so it doesn’t smudge or bleed. I purchased heavy 8.5x 10 inch cardstock and cut it to 8 inch squares. White out pen. Media Markers […]

Neurographic Art
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 classes of 45 minute length Materials Brushes, heavier paper, gouche paints, sharpie marker * can be done with markers, watercolor, etc. Media Gouache, Markers Lesson Objectives For the student to understand art as a therapeutic tool. For the student to understand the process of creating neurogenic art. For […]

Positive Negative Symmetrical Animal Designs
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration 8 classes, 45 minutes Materials Paper, Pencil, tempera paint *I have also occasionally done this lesson in Illustrator/Photoshop (either, or a combo) Media Painting, Graphic design Lesson Objectives For the student to… Understand how to identify simple shapes to draw to build more complex forms. Identify and utilize symmetry, reflection […]

Edward Weston Inspired Photographs
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 classes of 45 minute length Materials Digital camera (phones are fine), simple editing program (https://pixlr.com/) Media Photography/Film/Technology Lesson Objectives For the student to… Recognize the work of Edward Weston Photograph ordinary things, and make it look extraordinary Learn about light, shadow and value as elements Practice composition, zooming […]

Typography & Texture Study
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2 forty five minute periods (size dependent) Materials Typing paper and one of the following: dark color pencil, crayon, graphite stuck or pencil Media Pencil, Wax crayons, Color pencils Lesson Objectives For the student… To find a variety of type and texture To create a collage of type and […]

Art History Valentines Day Cards
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 2 periods of 45 minute length Materials Students select the media they feel most appropriate. Media Mixed media Lesson Objectives For students to… Become more familiar with famous artists and artworks To become familiar with an artists style To show an awareness of matching font to their selected artist’s […]

Clay Relief
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 10-13 classes, 45 minutes Materials Clay, glaze, a variety of clay tools (ribbon tools, fettling knife, needle tools, sponges, etc) Media Clay Lesson Objectives For the student… To Understand the difference between high and low relief. To visually create a sense of space in a low relief. To demonstrate […]

Paper Marbling, Origami Box and Bag
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 class periods, 40 minutes in length Materials carrageenan found at https://www.dickblick.com/products/jacquard-carrageenan/, paper, a tray large enough to accommodate paper, jars, or droppers to hold watered-down paint, and acrylic paint, a blender if possible, and a large drying rack. For making the bag and box, glue sticks, scissors (or […]

Coil Pot
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration about 15 classes, 45 minutes long Materials Clay (I just used a basic white low fire earthenware clay), slip, surface to work on (I use canvas), basic clay handbuilding tools, particularly a clay fettling knife. Media Clay Lesson Objectives To create a symmetrical coil pot displaying good craft and […]

Linear Shells with Suminagashi
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10 Duration 10 periods, 40 minutes long Materials Fine Tip Sharpies, Micron Pens. India Ink, paper, exacto knives Media Pen and Ink, Markers Lesson Objectives For students to practice line variation in creating pattern, value and form in graphic black and white illustrations of shells. To create a background reminiscent of water […]

Paper Marbling
Grade Level 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 3-4 class periods, 40 minutes in length Materials carrageenan found at https://amzn.to/3EOtdao, paper, a tray large enough to accommodate paper, (https://amzn.to/3vepsYq) jars or droppers to hold watered down paint, and acrylic paint, a blender if possible, and a large drying rack. Media Acrylic, Paper Lesson Objectives Students will be […]

Art with Circuits
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8 Duration 6-8 class periods, class periods being 45 minutes in length Materials A strong variety of fine art materials; drawing supplies, painting supplies, cardboard, construction paper, scissors, glue. Chibitronics Classroom Pack (https://chibitronics.myshopify.com/collections) Media Painting, Drawing Lesson Objectives Student’s will be able to construct a simple paper LED circuit and use light […]

Pointillism Lesson
Grade Level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 Duration 4 class – 90 minutes Materials Canvas (we used A4), pencil, acrylic or oil colors, pointed brush (number 4-8), palettes Media Acrylic Lesson Objectives Submitted by Eva. Students will be able to observe and draw colors and shapes correctly in relation to the light source. Introductory Activity Introduce […]