ABSTRACT ART
ACTION FIGURE COLLAGES:
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Lessons/7-desles.htm
Abstract art will be considered as students plan, design, and create their own expressions of movement and sports with this excellent art lesson plan, perfect for an Olympic games activity.

AUTUMN ACTIVITIES/APPLES/LEAVES
STRING OF LEAVES:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/string/
Decorate your classroom windows with a string of brightly colored autumn leaves, using this simple but very effective craft. Leaf templates are included.

APPLE STAMPS:
http://www.orchardproject.org/applestamps.htm
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/appleprint.html
Apples make great stamping tools for classroom art projects.For safety issues however, consider cutting the stamps yourself. Students can express their creative energy by painting and decorating with them. Have them stamp borders on paper for writing exercises, decorate book covers, or create autumn-themed wall art and cards. Use the second URL above to learn how to use apple stamps to print on t-shirts.

APPLE WREATHS AND GARLANDS:
http://rubyglen.com/articles/craftdriedapple.htm
Your students can easily create their own wonderfully smelling autumn wreath to take home, following instructions here.Have parents get and bring in supplies, then let students dry their apples in the classroom.

CINNAMON CLAY:
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/cinnaclay.html

Applesauce, cinnamon, and white glue form the basic ingredients for this simple classroom clay. It is traditionally used at Christmas time, but can be equally useful for cutting out apples to dry, paint, and hang up in your classroom for a fall theme.

LEAF ART:
http://www.childfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=173
It won't be long until the leaves are changing color, and your students can use a collection of leaves to complete these various art activities. Create a finger leaf tree,leaf prints, leaf mobiles, leaf bracelets, leaf people, and more.

AUTUMN LEAF ART:
http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/ArtsAndCrafts/Crafts/LeafArt.html
Collect and prepare your colorful autumn leaves, and then try out some of these wonderful leaf art suggestions for creating leaf booklets and pictures.

LEAF STENCILING:
http://www.fisher-price.com/US/crafts/more.asp?lookCat=crafts_nature&dataCats=crafts%5Fnature&id=114613
Create beautiful and colorful negative images of autumn leaves in this simple stenciling exercise, suitable for all elementary students.

LEAF PAGES:
http://www.fisher-price.com/US/crafts/more.asp?lookCat=crafts_nature&dataCats=crafts%5Fnature&id=114582
You will be using collected, assorted leaves, glitter, glue, and sheets of waxed paper to create these beautiful hangings for your fall classroom windows or bulletin boards.

LEAF NOTE CARDS:
http://www.fisher-price.com/US/crafts/more.asp?lookCat=crafts_nature&dataCats=crafts%5Fnature&id=114620
Here is a great little art project to go along with a letter writing unit for your elementary classes. Students will paint leaves to create impressions on notecards; follow up with friendly letters on the notecards when dried, a perfect fall project for penpals.

FALL LEAF ART:
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/art_station02/art_station_sep02.shtml
Find some wonderful ideas here to use fall leaves in your art projects. Make some leaf people, try the crushed leaf mosaic, or create your own leaf rubbings.



AZTECS
AZTEC TILES:
http://www.kinderart.com/sculpture/aztec.shtml
What kinds of shapes and symbols were used in Aztec art? Students will discover the art and architecture of the Aztec culture, and then create their own Aztec tile with pasta shapes, modeling clay, food coloring, and cardboard.

Back To Top
B
BOOKS
MAKE AN ART BOOK:
http://www.kinderart.com/artbook/
These art books help teachers create a portfolio for student assessment while allowing students to collect their artwork in one place. Eight pages follow eight art lessons, including primary colors, color mixing, patterns, emotion in art, shades of gray, texture, imagination, and self-portraits, comprising an excellent art unit for elementary classrooms.

BOTTLES
MAKE A HUMMINGBIRD BOTTLE FEEDER:
http://rubyglen.com/crafts/hummingbird.htm
Your students are sure to have some spare bottles lying around their homes or garages. You can use brightly colored ones to attract hummingbirds, or paint them with red or purple acrylics if they are not already colored. Follow directions here to create your own hanging hummingbird feeder.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE:
http://www.twocraftyladies.com/Message-bttl.html
Here's a great art idea for any gift-giving holiday, or to set up a letter writing system, with cubbies, in your classroom. Students will write their message on paper and decorate a bottle with wire art and buttons or shells, following the instructions at this site. They can put a special message in their bottle to mom or dad, or put them in their cubbies to receive mail from classmates or the teacher.

ART BOTTLE CONTAINERS:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_kids_family_activities/article/0,1801,HGTV_3123_2030129,00.html
Two liter soda bottles--decorated with your students' own art--become excellent containers for storing all paper art projects collected throughout the year. Find further unique art storage container ideas here as well.

WHIRLY BOTTLES:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10643
Older students will have fun creating and individualizing these soda bottle whirligigs for your school garden or playground--also great as gifts.

SPARKLE BOTTLES:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_kid_crafts/article/0,1789,HGTV_3256_1379649,00.html
Create a sparkle tube with your students this summer to provide hours of fun with the different designs they will yield.Students will use metallic confetti--you can also use small buttons or jewelry--and corn syrup as a thick medium, in recycled soda bottles.

Back To Top
C

Back To Top
D

Back To Top
E

Back To Top
F
FAMILY TREE
THIS IS MY FAMILY TREE:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/familytree/tree/
Use empty yogurt containers or paper cups for the planter for these family trees. Have students bring in a branch or twig from a tree in their own yards, secure them in the cups with some clay, and then have fun creating the leaves for your family trees.

Back To Top
G
GREEK ART
GREEK STORY VASES:
http://www.kinderart.com/arthistory/greekvase.shtml
Take a look at Greek culture by viewing images of its art-work and vases first, and then have your students create their own story line on a clay pot, following the directions here.

GREEK URNS:
http://www.dhc.net/%7eartgeek/greekurns.html
http://www.getty.edu/art/collections/presentation/p41_111649-1.html
Learn about repeated pattern and line--as well as the style and shape of Greek urns--and then have your students use those elements to create their own urns. Use the 2nd URL above to learn how Greek vases were actually made.

GREEK MYTHOLOGY BOOK COVERS:
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtLACreatingIllustratedMythologyBookCovers68.htm
The Greek myths provide a wonderfully creative playground of ideas for illustration. Following the lesson plan here, have your students design their own book covers using characters and plots from Greek mythology.

EXPLORING GREEK ART:
http://www.historylink101.com/lessons/art_history_lessons/greek_art.htm
Picture galleries are included in this online lesson plan in art history, based on Classical Greek art. Sculpture, paintings, and architecture are all considered. Please preview all pages to ensure appropriate material for your students' grade level.

DESIGNING GREEK VASES:
http://dl.ket.org/humanities/connections/class/greecerome/vases.htm
There are many different forms of Greek vases, depending on the function. Students will work with partners to learn about Greek culture and art, the types and uses of vases, and then design and draw their own. Excellent illustrations are included with background tutorials and vocabulary.

Back To Top
H

Back To Top
I
INSECTS
LOVELY LADYBUGS:
http://www.earlychildhood.com/Crafts/index.cfm?FuseAction=Craft&C=206
Red and black paint are of course necessary for this elementary art project, as are wiggle eyes and black pipe cleaners for the antennae. Find instructions here to create very cute ladybugs.

SANDWICH BUGS AND CRITTERS:
http://www.earlychildhood.com/pdfs/smartart_bugs_critters.pdf
These sandwich bugs are not really made out of bread, but instead they sandwich together two layers of sticky-backed paper with feelers, feet, and feathers all propped inside as well--very cute and original.

TISSUE PAPER BUTTERFLY MOBILES:
http://www.earlychildhood.com/crafts/index.cfm?FuseAction=Craft&C=10
Very beautiful--tissue paper is layered for a wonderful, complex color effect in these easy-to-create mobiles. Be sure to hang them in classroom windows to catch the light and move in the summer breeze.

BUGGY CARTOONS AND FUN-FOAM BEES:
http://dcrafts.com/insectsart.htm
The bees are actually cut and created from felt in this art project, but fun foam will work just as well and is easier to cut. Also try the ladybug thumbprint art, pompom caterpillars, buggy glasses, or bug finger puppets.

CLOTHESPIN BUTTERFLIES:
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/ythfacts/allyr/yf805.htm
Find easy instructions here to create not only clothes-pin butterflies, but ladybugs, scarabs, egg carton caterpillars, and mosaic butterflies as well.

MAKE AN INSECT EYE:
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/ythfacts/bugfun/cmpdeye.htm
For upper elementary and middle school students, try this
wonderful project where they will create a compound insect
eye with egg cartons, metallic acrylic paints, small round
mirrors, and papier mache materials.

NAME INSECTS:
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/elem15.html
One way of getting to know your students' names fairly quickly at the start of a new school year is to have the names posted at the desks. Students will also be able to learn each other's names in this manner, and this art lesson plan finds a very creative way to do it.

Back To Top
J

Back To Top
K

Back To Top
L
LITERATURE & ART
BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU DO FOR ART?
http://www.kinderart.com/littles/brownbear2.htm
Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle wrote the book, and in order to explore the story further with your early elementary classes, try using the templates and art exercises included here.

MAKE YOUR OWN "CAPS FOR SALE":
http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/527.html
Elementary students will be crafting their own version of individual hats to have a Cap Day--plan to host a parade as well--even better when you can get other classes reading the same book to also participate. Further activities to accompany the book are also included.

ARTHUR APPRECIATION CARDS:
http://pbskids.org/arthur/parentsteachers/activities/acts/appreciation_cards.html?cat=art
These cards would be great for either the beginning of the school year or for grandparents' day. Students will write an appreciation chant on the front of the cards  and draw a picture on the inside of the person they appreciate having in their lives.

PURPLE ART FOR HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON:
http://www.kinderart.com/across/purplecrayon.shtml
Shapes and the color purple, along with a little bit of glue and some black construction paper will form the creative basis for this art lesson, based on "Harold and the Purple Crayon".

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS AND ART:
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialstd/grade1/Make_Way.html
The activities in this lesson plan complement "Make Way For Ducklings", and teach children cardinal directions as they make and illustrate a map and a picture of their own community.

Back To Top
M
MEMORY BOOKS
PRINTABLE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOKS:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/books/backtoschool/
Create a memory book at the beginning of the school year  where students get a chance to share information about themselves and their families. Eight printable pages will guide students through creating their own family trees, creating a self-portrait, describing their favorite things to do, and drawing or painting a landscape of where they live.

Back To Top
N

Back To Top
O

Back To Top
P

PAINTING
FUN TECHNIQUES WITH PAINT:
http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/lesson45.html
Learn how to make ethereal effects with water, tissue paper, and watercolors, or get out the plastic wrap and some foam board to create texture with acrylic paints. Find instructions for these and other painting activities here.

HAND PAINTING TECHNIQUES:
http://www.edbydesign.com/specneedsres/specialart/handpaint.html
Arguing that painting with your hands is not simply a technique for younger children but indeed should be used by all ages, this site offers several tips on what to paint on, what to paint with, and how to create variations.

WATERCOLOR, LINES, AND WAX RESIST PAINTING:
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Arts/Visual_Arts/ARA0016.html
Students will learn about eight different types of lines, identifying them through different images and then creating their own art work, using watercolor and crayon wax resist techniques.

CREPE PAPER PAINTING:
http://www.kinderart.com/painting/crepe.shtml
A mixture of water and vinegar provides the magical ingredients for these beautiful designs. Make sure you use brilliant colors of crepe paper for best results.

EMOTION PAINTING:
http://www.kinderart.com/painting/emotion.shtml
Line, color, texture, shape, and music all work together to help express emotion in art. Find instructions here to help you and your students express feeling through art.


POP ART
POP ART LESSONS WITH ANDY WARHOL:
http://www.umfa.utah.edu/?id=MjAy
Works by both Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana will be studied, compared, and contrasted. Students will then be creating their own drawings, collages, and sculptures. Background text is included.

Back To Top
Q

Back To Top
R

Back To Top
S
SELF PORTRAITS
SELF-PORTRAIT SHIELDS:
http://www.artic.edu/cleo/Teachfolder/WarriorHTML/FINAL/Warrior.Art.1.html
What are the main events your students would identify in their own lives? Have them create a meaningful and symbolic shield at the beginning of the school year, sharing who they are and what makes them unique and proud individuals.

ALL ABOUT ME EGYPTIAN STYLE:
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/EgyptianProfiles.htm
Early and upper elementary students will enjoy creating their self-portraits, with a twist... They will first learn how the Egyptians drew, and then create an Egyptian style self-portrait, perfect for a back-to-school or all-about-me activity.
 

Back To Top
T

Back To Top
U

Back To Top
V

Back To Top
W
WEATHER
MAKE SOME STORMY WEATHER ART:
http://www.arts.ufl.edu/art/rt_room/sparkers/stormy/storm.html
Approaching storms are often used as subject material by famous artists, among them Thomas Hart Benton and Winslow Homer. View examples here, and then follow directions to have your students visualize and then paint their own storm scenes.
 

Back To Top
X

Back To Top
Y

Back To Top
Z