• If you'd like to receive emails every time a new post is added, enter your email below.

Patterned Still Life: 5th and 6th grade

By | | , ,
Leave a comment
A colorful drawing of a teddy bear in pajamas and a mannekin walking away on a path against a yellow background, capturing the essence of 5th grade creativity.

The 5th and 6th grade students set up still life arrangements and drew them from observation.  We discussed composition and creating interest within a picture.  The students tried to draw some objects with a variety of heights and sizes.  They were to make sure that 2-3 lines went off the edge of the page.  We viewed a slideshow of many examples of still life paintings from various artists throughout art history. Then, the students outlined their drawing and filled in … Read more… →

Insect Habitat– Lesson Plan– 3rd Grade

By | | ,
2 Comments
Colorful caterpillar craft made from painted egg cartons and cardboard wings, set against a paper flower background, designed as an engaging 3rd Grade lesson plan.

Third graders worked together to make an insect habitat on large butcher paper.  They had been studying habitats in their Science class. We used Model Magic, beads, pipe cleaners and corrugated paper to make the insects and oil pastels to color them.  The kids did a great job, but I’m not sure how I feel about Model Magic… we’ve been having a tough time getting the pieces to stay together.  Some of the heads and body parts had to be … Read more… →

Presenting Your Lessons

By | | ,
6 Comments
A grid pattern with black Adinkra shapes and colorful dots on a white background.

Katie said… Can I ask how you present your art projects? Do you have a finished picture to show the kids so they have an idea of what you want from them, or do you just explain it and let them create?  That is a great question.  It depends on the project. I almost always will demonstrate steps to a project.   Many times I don’t have a finished picture to show them. Right now, my 5th/6th graders (we have combined … Read more… →

Abstract Oil Pastel Trees– 4th/5th grade

By | | , , , , ,
2 Comments
Abstract Oil Pastel Trees with a black trunk and branches, surrounded by vibrant, multicolored background segments.

This is a lesson I teach every year because the results are so beautiful!  Each of the kid’s drawings just turns out wonderful. The 4/5s drew trees to complement their studies in Science class. How can line be used creatively to make a stylized picture?  How can oil pastels be used effectively?   The students aimed to use line creatively and made stylized art.  A focus of the lesson was color mixing, blending and layering of the oil pastel. Steps: Day … Read more… →

Spooky Silhouettes– Kindergarten

By | | , ,
3 Comments
Abstract artwork featuring a white bird and house against a bright orange background, with black and white shapes and spooky silhouettes.

We just finished these lovely Halloween pictures today.  I don’t really like doing “holiday” art during art class unless I can tie in some solid art concepts.  (That’s why I sometimes do the fun crafty afterschool classes.)  For this project, the kindergartners learned a few art vocabulary words: Silhouette the outline or general shape of something…  a dark image outlined against a lighter background. Warm Colors the yellows and reds of the color spectrum, associated with fire, heat, sun, and warmer … Read more… →

Mondrian– Primary Colors lesson plan– Kindergarten

By | | ,
1 Comment
Colorful crayon drawing featuring abstract shapes and patterns, divided into sections with words written on dividers. The artwork, inspired by Mondrian's style, prominently uses primary colors giving it a vibrant and lively feel suitable for a kindergarten classroom.

This is a great beginning of the year project for kindergartners. During the first 40 min. class period: 1.  Identify the primary colors:  RED, BLUE and YELLOW.  Show the color wheel and discuss.  (During the next project, we experiment with color mixing.) 2.  Teach about the artist Piet Mondrian.  I use a Powerpoint slideshow to show the artworks and explain about his style.  Discuss the straight lines, shapes and colors. 3.  The children glue pre-cut black strips to the paper. … Read more… →

Surreal House Collages

By | | , ,
4 Comments
A surreal scrapbook-style collage featuring pets, makeup, home decor, and a woman with long blonde hair against a pink background.

The fourth and fifth graders learned about Surrealism for this project.  I started by showing them how to set up their houses using colored construction paper.  These pictures were LARGE.. the size of a posterboard.  The individual colored construction papers were 9×12″.  Each child started with 4 sheets of colored construction paper to set up their house.  Then, they flipped through magazines to cut out furniture and items for their houses.  After they had found a bunch of furniture, I … Read more… →

Symmetrical Felt Wall Hangings

By | | ,
2 Comments
A colorful, abstract art piece on red fabric with shapes, buttons, and patterns hanging by a yellow string.

For this project, the first graders learned about symmetry and fabric arts.  I tied this lesson into quilt making and the children identified symmetry in some pictures of early American quilts and discussed why people would make quilts and why they would use scraps to sew their quilts. Then, using burlap, felt and fabric scraps, they made their own fabric wall hanging showing symmetry.  We used regular Elmer’s glue to  adhere everything.  At the end, I brought out buttons and … Read more… →

City Collages- 2nd grade

By | |
4 Comments
A city collage of colorful paper houses under a starry night sky with a large purple moon.

The second graders had a lot of fun making these recycled city collages.  I got the idea from this project on Pinterest.  The second graders are studying urban and rural communities, so it ties in with their class curriculum.  I precut a whole bunch of squares and rectangles from magazine pages on the cutting board. Then, the students used the shapes (and also paint chip strips) to construct buildings.  Later, they added colorful tape and stickers.

Book Giveaway Winner

By | |
1 Comment
Two geometrically shaped pieces of art covered in colorful strips of tape, sitting on a white background.

I photocopied some leaves on paper for the kids to play with.  This student used colored tape and marker to transform his leaves.  It thought these were fun. The Alternative Art Journals book giveaway goes to mom2h who said…“I am just starting to explore art journaling, and in fact, have your art journal blog ( and a couple of others) placed at the top of my bookmarks to remind myself to seek out ideas. I haven’t taught it, but we … Read more… →

Quick Tip: Making Time for Art

By | |
1 Comment
Abstract colorful painting with various patterns, shapes, and textures in a white frame.

How do you make time for your own art?   Do you spend time making your own art? Quick Tip:  Keep an art journal where you can try out techniques for your teaching.  I had been trying out all sorts of techniques for Gelli plate printing and I made lots of samples for my 5th/6th grade class.  When I had all of the papers painted, I took some pieces home and arranged them into a collage for my art journal. 

Leaves!– Kindergarten

By | | ,
2 Comments
Artwork featuring two white leaf silhouettes against an orange background, bordered by a yellow frame evokes the simplicity often found in kindergarten creations.

Always a popular fall activity, we made leaf rubbings last week. Then, using our new Gelli Plates, we pulled prints of the leaves.   To do this, we rolled acrylic paint on the plate.  The kids then rolled textures in the paint using texture rollers.  Leaves were placed on top.  Then, white paper was placed on top of the plate.  We rubbed the back of the paper with our fingers and then pulled the paper off to reveal these leaf prints.                                                                         … Read more… →

  • Banner with colorful artwork promoting an art shop featuring kindness coloring pages, artist activities, and resources for teachers.