Name Pattern Designs
This is a great project that ties together math, art, and social studies. We looked at the repeating patterns and shapes in Islamic tile designs (they are studying Islam in social studies) for inspiration. The tutorial for this…
Art Projects for Kids + Tips for the Teacher!
Art Projects for Kids + Tips for the Teacher!
Elementary Art Projects & Creative Lessons for Kids
Welcome to Art is Basic, a blog full of elementary art lessons, easy art projects, and teaching ideas for K-5 classrooms. Browse hundreds of engaging activities designed to inspire young artists.
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Artsy Christmas Presents for Kids
Are you wondering what to get a child in your family for the holidays? As an art teacher, I see what the kids really like and what they gravitate towards to when they are given free time in…
Egyptian Sarcophagus Drawings– 4th/5th grade
As much as possible, I like to tie in art projects to what the students are learning in their other classrooms. The 4th/5th grade class studies ancient civilizations and has a big unit on Egypt. In art class,…
Jasper Johns Collograph Prints | Printmaking for 2nd Grade
These collograph prints by 2nd graders were made by gluing cut out foam letters and shapes to a piece of cardboard. The kids drew and cut out their own foam letters and shapes, but I also had a…
Dr. Suess Architecture– 2nd grade
The 2nd graders studied Dr. Suess books in their classroom. In art class, I showed them the art of Dr. Suess. Did you know he made paintings and sculptures? The Secret Art of Dr. Suess.. a must-have for…
Coloring Book
I just wanted to share with you this cool Doodlers Anonymous coloring book link. I have a drawing that is going to be in the coloring book! I can’t wait to see it. (I haven’t been paid to…
Patterned Still Life: 5th and 6th grade
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…
Insect Habitat– Lesson Plan– 3rd Grade
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…
Presenting Your Lessons
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…
Abstract Oil Pastel Trees– 4th/5th grade
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…
Spooky Silhouettes | Warm Color Halloween Art Project for Kindergarten
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…
Mondrian– Primary Colors lesson plan– Kindergarten
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…
Surreal House Collages
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…
Symmetrical Felt Wall Hangings
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…