Prayers and Love
Prayers and love to those in Connecticut. I pray for peace, I pray for love, I pray for our country and world. As a teacher, parent and human my heart is heavy today.
Elementary Art Lessons, Projects & Teaching Ideas for K–5
Because art is fundamental to who we are. Art has always been a basic form of human communication. From cave walls to classroom walls, art helps us express ideas, tell stories, and better understand the world around us. I believe art is an essential part of every child's education, which is why I chose the name Art is Basic. Here you'll find K–5 creative art lessons, teaching ideas, and printable resources to help K–5 art teachers inspire young artists.
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Mixed Media Canvases with Kids
As you might know, I am a lover of all things mixed media! I also enjoy occasionally teaching an after school art workshop for my students (I’d love to do more, but since my daughter goes to daycare…
Egyptian Clay Sarcophagus Art Project
These are the fun sarcophagi the 4th/5th graders made from clay. We spent a few days learning about Egyptian art and drawing them on paper. See my previous post about the drawings. We traced the template onto slabs…
Found Object Faces– 1st grade
(these are the projects I burnt my fingers on!) USE LOW TEMP GLUE GUNS!!! Anyways, these are really charming and fun projects. The 1st graders learned about recycled art and how to use unconventional materials in art. We…
Winter Collages
My posting is going to be limited for a little while. I burnt four of my fingers on a hot glue gun yesterday and had to go to the urgent care. Basically the glue dripped on four fingers…
Frogs in a Pond (with Monet) 1st Grade
I love lessons where I can tie in different areas of study, art history and art techniques! This is a project I developed that incorporates study of frogs, Monet and watercolor painting. To start this project, we learn…
African Cloth Painting– 3rd Grade
The Intermediates (grade 3) are studying Africa in their Social Studies class. We learned about the African Korhogo Clothes. See this link for more details. >This project focused on how symbols are used in African art. The students…
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…
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…