Art Curriculum
Thanksgiving Math & Literacy, Art, Science & More….
Polar Bear Art Project For Kids
Here is a unique and exciting polar bear art project for kids. This is a fantastic art project to try with your students when you are learning about cubism or anytime you are learning about the arctic. Each section on this art project is created with oil pastels, then etched with a unique pattern. Etching is the process of removing material to create visual interest. In this case, were creating patterns and nature scenes inside each section. Additionally, students will learn warm and cool colors as the bear and the background are made with different hues.
Polar Bear Art Project Supplies:
- Polar Bear Template
- Oil Pastels
- Sharp Object
Step 1
Print your polar bear template as a guide. The template includes grey lines separating each shape.
Step 2
Choose cool colors (blues, greens, purples) to color in the shapes of your polar bear.
Step 3
You want a good variety of colors and try not to have the same colors touching eachother.
Step 4
Choose warm colors (reds, oranges, and yellows) and start filling in the shapes of the background.
Step 5
Color in every shape leaving no white space. Make sure you pressed hard enough with your oil pastels to ge a thick layer of color on your paper.
Step 6
You can stop here and frame on black construction paper if you like
Step 7
Or you might want to add in some patterns. Oil pastel can be scratched away to reveal a lighter hue of the same color. This is a great way to add texture and patterns to your polar bear.
Step 8
You can even add in things you might see in an Arctic landscape; iceburgs, winter trees, a full moon, inukshuk, etc....
Northern Lights Igloo Art Project
This is a dreamy way to create a beautiful Arctic sunset or Northern lights backdrop for your winter scenes.
Materials:
- Igloo Template
- Bleeding Tissue Paper
- Watercolor Crayons
- Watercolor Paper
- Paintbrush, Water
Aurora: A Tale of the Northern Lights
Alaskan storyteller and artist Mindy Dwyer has created a magical story of a young girl whose seeking and dreams lead her to a great discovery. The bright, luminous illustrations that accompany the story magically portray this tale of the origin of the Aurora Borealis, the glorious northern lights.
Cut out your igloo template a glue lightly to your art paper. Cut your bleeding tissue paper into thin strips. Using water and a paintbrush, begin to wet your paper and lay down strips of tissue paper. Wet the top of the tissue paper as well. Layer your tissue paper to blend the colors. Continue to wet the paper as you go. Fill your paper with tissue paper strips. Allow to dry. When dry, carefully peel back your tissue stips to reveal the color patterns below. Use Watercolor Crayons (or simple watercolor paints) to add some color to your igloo.Step 1
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Polar Bear Art Projects
If you’ve been following us on Instagram, you’ve already gotten a glimpse of these new art projects while they were in the works, but today I’ve finished the photo tutorials to show you how to make your own with your children. These polar bear art projects are stunning and aren’t as difficult as they look. I would recommend using these with late elementry or early middle school aged children…..but really you can adapt these for children of all ages and abilities.
Polar Bear Landscape Art Project
Based off the beautiful arctic landscape scenes by Ted Harrison, this project is fun for children of all ages and definitely adds a color pop to your classroom!
Polar Bear Paw Print Art Project
This stunning Arctic craft uses a bear paw print template. Children use watercolor, ink and oil pastel to create a beautiful winter scene of a polar bear and her cub.
A harbor seal is depicted across the pads of the polar bears feet, foreshadowing the end of this Winter hunt.
Fall Leaf Art Projects for Kids
Today I’ve added two different Autumn leaf art tutorials for kids. Both include templates and full photo tutorials, and they can easily be adapted for multiple ages. These turn out stunning and can transform your classroom walls within an afternoon.
Fall Leaf Art Project for Kids
Fall Art Projects for Kids
Learning about fall leaves is a great time to work in some beautiful autumn art projects for kids. This fall leaf project helps children to understand patterns, hues, and the art technique of etching. Students of all ages can build key art skills and technique with this fun fall art lesson.
This project uses a fall leaf template so that students can focus on the art technique of etching. However, if you are using this project with older students you might have them draw their own fall leaf with the template as a visual example. That way each leaf will have it’s own unique qualities like your students.
Oil Pastel Fall Leaf Project Materials:
Step 1:
Print your leaf template above. Color in each section of the leaf using a different color of oil pastels. Press hard to get a nice thick layer down.
Step 2:
Add a variety of Fall colors to your leaf. Don’t forget to add in a few purples, they always look stunning with Fall colors.
Step 3:
Using a sharp wooden stick (I’m using a cuticle stick), scrape away the top layer of the pastel to begin to make designs and textures into each of your leaf sections.
Step 4:
You can make patterns, checkerboards, leaf veins, strips, swirls, triangles etc…..try to make a different pattern for each section.
Step 5:
Once you’ve added in all your patterns you can mount it to colored construction paper for a great background. I cut out the same leaf shape in tinfoil to make a shadow first.
Step 6:
All done! If you added a tinfoil shadow, you can continue the pattern by gently pressing into the foil with your stick.
Easy Fall Art for Kids
Hang your stunning fall leaves up on the bulletin board and pair them with a writing sample. Choose a favorite fall poem or rhyme for children to write and hang them next to their artwork.
Just look at those textures! How fun is that? Have you tried this fall leaf art project with your students? We’ve love to hear how it went! Leave us a comment below:
More Fall Art Projects:
Zentangle Fall Leaf Art Project
In my homeschool classroom, there is nothing quite so beautiful as seeing beautiful fall leaf artwork hung on the walls. While you are likely busy in the fall, settling into your homeschool routine, don’t forget to schedule time for a variety of art projects! Not only will you build artistic expression and creativity, but you’ll enjoy the colorful and unique creations throughout the year.
Fall Leaf Art Project for Kids
Our Free Fall leaf art project for kids is just right for children of all ages. The details can be as intricate or as impressionistic as needed. Because an oak leaf template is used for this project, students that have the ability to color can create beautiful autumn leaves. You can adapt this project for younger students by removing the zentangle portion and having students learn about blending colors with oil pastels.
Autumn Leaf Art Project Materials:
Here are the required materials for this project:
Step 1:
Draw in your zentangle designs. Choose a different design for each section, and try to fill in every other section or so, leaving space to color in later
Step 2:
Using your Oil Pastels, begin to fill in the blank sections of your leaf. Start with two different hues of the same color.
Step 3:
Add in different colors of yellow, brown green and red. You’ll notice that I’m using the Red very sparingly, just to highlight certain edges of the leaves.
Step 4:
When your leaf is completely filled in, you can stop here, or cut out and glue to black construction paper. If you have time you can paint a watercolor background to really make your colors pop
Step 5:
I chose to start with a light purple background, using lots of water, and making circular strokes with my paintbrush I begin to fill in the background
Step 6:
For each side and edge I chose a different color to blend into the purple. I used blue on the right side of the paper, pink in the top left corner, and orange in the bottom left. This is a great way to add some character to your background.
Step 7:
I finished my background by taking a very light blue and filling in the remaining white on the left side of the leaf….sort of like a shadow.
Your leaf is complete! Mount to black construction paper for an instant frame, or hang in the classroom,
Homeschool Art Supplies
Over the years we’ve had the opportunity to try out MANY different arts and crafts supplies. Often we’ve been surprised that an off brand has a better quality product then some of the more popular, well known brands.And with other products we’re happy to make the investmentfor a quality product that will last. Read about our favorite art supplies and where to find the best price. Find more of our favorite Homeschool Tools and Machines. Read about our Favorite Homeschool Curriculum Here
I was surprised at the value of
this watercolor set. Normally, I
stay away from off brand
watercolors but this set can't be
beat! The colors are bright, and
vivid and because these are
cakes they last much longer then
traditional watercolor packs. We have used this set through many art projects over the years, It took almost 5 years to run out of yellow so we finally bought a second set....but for the price....AMAZING! Pastels were one of my favorite mediums
when I was a kid. I used to love drawing on the
paper, then blending the colors with my
fingertip....the possibilities were endless for
the colors I could create and I felt like a young
and undiscovered Picasso. That's why I keep
pastels in my classroom for my children to
work with....I love the ease of color blending
with them and we work on shading with them Again, another deal you can get
online is this heavy weight
construction paper from
SunWorks. One pack keeps
your classroom stocked up for
almost the entire year Chalk pastels are fun to have on
hand as well. We've recently
started to use them with this
curriculum and this set really
gave us a wide varitey of colors
for a good price. Another deal
that is better online then in store This was one of our more expensive
craft room purchases, but they have
held up quite nicely over the years.
Watercolor crayons are a great way
for children to experiment, and this
set comes with a handy tin for
storage. (the tin is one of the reason
I believe this set has held up so well) I usually don't purchase much
Melisa and Doug unless I can find a
coupon or an online deal, but these
triangle crayons have been a
blessing in our house. My three
year old love them, it feels like his
own art set he can use and they
don't roll away! If you can't stand glitter in your
house, you might take a peek at
these glitter pens! We
purchased this set for my
daughters birthday, and I had a
hard time keeping my hands off
of them. This is a good deal
online and you get over 48 pens! If there were a World's Greatest
Pencil Award, we would give it to
Dixon Ticonderoga hands down!
After years of dealing with
broken tips and erasers that pop
off (or worse leave streaks
across your paper instead of
erasing) I've decided that the
investment in Dixon is well worth
it Glitter shakers are much easier
for younger children to use, as
you don't end up with the
dreaded pile of glitter on your
table. The lids come off so you
can pour back the excess. Have you ever wondered what a laminator is? Or how about a binding
machine. Are you on your seventh pencil sharpener of the year? Come
on in and read about our favorite homeschool tools. We'll show you how
we use them, why you'd need them and where we found the best price. Simply Art Watercolor Cakes
Crayola Oil Pastels
Sunworks Construction Paper
Pro Art Chalk Pastels
Caran d'Ache Watercolor Crayons
Melissa and Doug Triangle Crayons
Fiskars Gel Pens
Dixon #2 Pencils
Glitter Shakers
Our Favorite Homeschool Tools
Famous Artist Crafts for Kids
Learning about famous artists can be lots of fun and a great opportunity for children to explore different techniques and mediums. Follow along with us as we explore the different masterpieces and create ourown artistic interpretations! For each famous artist we include a suggest reading as well as a printable reference guide for the back of your child’s art. We suggest framing your creations with black construction paper for a finished look. Paste the famous artist reference card on the back of your project
What Makes a…..Series is published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They are perfect for grades 6-8, or as a read aloud with late elementary students. I would recommend this set as a purchase for your classroom, it will last for years to come. We personally own these and they are filled with information about each artist and feature many colorful photographs and explanations of their work.
Monet Art Project for Kids
Claude Monet is well known for his beautiful water scenes! This is a fun (and messy) finger painting craft that will leave children with beautiful results. Students of all ages can participate in this impressionist art project which is a fantastic introduction to process-art.
Van Gogh Art Project for Kids
Van Gogh is the name every young child knows, and Starry Night is the title they remember! Uses this fun technique to create movement on your canvas! This project requires a little bit of glue and some oil pastels so be sure to plan enough time for the glue to try. You’re students will be thrilled to present their starry night art projects to their friends and family.
Warhol Art Projects for Kids
Learn about POP Art with these fun and free Andy Warhol art projects for kids. These activities are great for students of all ages, with multiple levels and adaptations you can adjust for your teaching style. Students will work on process art, and can color in our free printable Warhol art templates or design their own graphics with this simple technique.
Kandinsky Art Project for Kids
Wassily Kandinsky was known for his abstract art, especially his work with concentric circles. We’ve created a simple, yet fun art project for students learning about abstract art! Your kiddos will make a TON of Kandinsky circles with this free famous art project for kids. Best of all this low-prep project requires minimal supplies, and builds key fine motor skills with young students.
Cubism Art Project for Kids
Are your students learning about Pablo Picasso? Here is a simplistic art project in the style of Cubism that will make a great introduction to this colorful art style. Older students can apply this technique to their own drawings, and younger students can participate by filling in our free cubism art template.
Miro Art Project
Miro has an amazing surrealist quality to his work, making him a fun artist to study. Children can get creative with their doodles and have fun with this easy project. Give children a black sharpie marker and encourage them to explore lines and shapes. Show them how to make shapes inside of shapes and color block.
Piet Mondrian
Here are three different ways your children can create beautiful representations of Mondrian's artwork. This is a great beginner craft for young children.
Georges Seurat Art Project
Pointillism is a fun artistic technique for any age level! Children enjoy making these representational pieces of artwork. This is a great craft for children who like to work on details. arranged on canvas to create
Jackson Pollock Art Project
Okay, what kid doesn't love to splatter paint? We're using a bit of splatter and a bit of blowing to make our Action Jackson paintings!
Henri Matisse Art Project
Matisse had a very colorful style to his artwork, and in his later years he used paper cut-out arranged on canvas to create
Van Gogh Art Project
The Potato Eaters is not only a great painting to study context but also to study light and shawdows. Children can recreate this hanging oil lamp with oil pastels.
Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists is a great series for younger children. Each book features a different artist, showcasing their work, their life, and sometimes their quirkiness! There is just enough here to give children a good idea of who the artist was and some ways to identify their work.
Homeschool Art Curriculum
It was my favorite subject.
Besides Recess and P.E. of course.
Art is something I try to include in my homeschool curriculum every year, but it always seems to take the back seat when life gets busy.
(If you follow my blog you may notice that I post TONS of art projects over the Summer when we actually have time for art. Â I call it Summer Art School)
Anyway, this year I found an amazing drawing curriculum that is ONLINE and requires NO help from me.
Let me repeat that.
NO HELP FROM MOM.
I provided art journals, #2 pencils, and when asked a drawing stump.
But that was it.
I set up their username and password and let them be for a couple of weeks. Â (i.e. Take it over Mark Kistler, this Mama is tired!)
Imagine my surprise when I picked up my daughter’s art journal and found this. (Continue Reading)