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.

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

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…

November 2, 2012
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Abstract artwork featuring a white bird and house against a bright orange background, with black and white shapes and spooky silhouettes.

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…

October 26, 2012
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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.

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…

October 25, 2012
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A surreal scrapbook-style collage featuring pets, makeup, home decor, and a woman with long blonde hair against a pink background.

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…

October 22, 2012
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A colorful, abstract art piece on red fabric with shapes, buttons, and patterns hanging by a yellow string.

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…

October 21, 2012
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A city collage of colorful paper houses under a starry night sky with a large purple moon.

City Collages- 2nd grade

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…

October 20, 2012
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A person is painting leaves with watercolors on paper, focusing on an autumn leaf in the foreground.

Painting Leaves– 1st grade

October 20, 2012
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Colorful abstract painting of painted leaves in various shapes and shades on an orange, purple, and pink background, ideal for a first grade art project.

Painted Leaves– First Grade

These lovely fall leaves were painted with watercolor by the 1st graders!

October 18, 2012
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Two geometrically shaped pieces of art covered in colorful strips of tape, sitting on a white background.

Book Giveaway Winner

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…

October 16, 2012
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Abstract colorful painting with various patterns, shapes, and textures in a white frame.

Quick Tip: Making Time for Art

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…

October 14, 2012
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A hand-drawn, colorful geometric circular pattern with triangles, zigzags, and concentric rings against a black background, inspired by Radial Designs.

3rd Grade Radial Designs

Radial designs are so much fun to make!The third graders made these.

October 12, 2012

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

Gelli Printing with Leaves | Printmaking for Kindergarten

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…

October 11, 2012
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Two children sitting on grass blowing bubbles, one catching a bubble on her hand while the other blows through a wand.

Published in Two Books

This week, I received two books that had a few of my activities published in them! I responded to a call for lesson plans by Gryphon House and was happy when mine were chosen. These look like fun…

October 8, 2012
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