Tap the Plus Icon (above right) to open STANDARDS information, including an Overview, Learning Targets and a Syllabus. Copy and paste to send to your Administrators or use the button below to download a Word document with the same information that you can add your info to and email to them as an attachment.

Lesson At A Glance

A brief overview of each step. Buttons jump to each section for detailed information.

NOTE: This lesson can be used in 4 ways.

1. For catching up on existing projects. This is the default, shown in the STEPS as usual.
2. For Artists’ Choice. You can begin with the game in STEP 4, doing only ONE or TWO treasure hunts, and then have students move into creating their own original artwork. This uses STEP 6, which is optional.
3. Planning and Artists’ Choice. You can skip right to STEP 6 as a third option, making planning artwork more important. You can use the treasure hunt game in STEP 4 if needed as a break in the middle, or save it for use on another day.
4. Game time. You can jump right into the game in STEP 4 and require that students create a minimum of 4, 5, or even 6 treasure hunt projects to fill the entire time. You can also have prizes, and have a contest to see who can create certain kinds of artwork. See STEP 4 for more details.

45 Min – Finish works in progress, or Artists’ Choice

40 Min – Optional – Treasure Hunt PDF

10 Min – Artists write a small note of one of their works

2 Min – Everyone helps

SCROLL & TEACH

LESSONPLAN

Each section is a different color. Read over once and then you can SCROLL & TEACH using any device you like. It’s designed to work best with your phone.

Brushes should be nylon for springiness and durability. Round brushes are the most versatile.

Paint pigment list:

• Napthol or Pyrrol Red
• Hansa or Light Yellow
• Pthalo Green (blue shade)
• Cyan or Cerulean Blue
• Ultramarine Blue
• Dioxazine Purple
• Magenta
• Burnt Umber
• Raw Sienna
• Titanium White (professional grade only)

Create a neat work area.

1. Water should be near the palette
2. Tubes should not be standing up because they fall into your work or palette
3. Palette, brushes, water, and paper towel should be on the right if you are right handed.
4. Set up your reference so you can see it easily without having to turn your head or stand up.
5. Tape your canvas to a board
6. Smocks
7. A table or floor easel may be used if available

They can continue to work until finished (or the end of the lesson), or switch to the treasure hunt in Step 4 after the half-way break.

If you have anyone who is a fast worker and has finished all their work, let them have artist’s choice to draw or paint anything they like. Use pencil, charcoal, oil pastels, acrylic on canvas, or watercolor.

Artists’ Choice

Encourage students to think about creating a work of art. If someone uses the phrase, “free draw” or “free paint”, explain that artists’ choice is something only artists can do, and that this is freedom, but also opportunity, not just playing. This is especially important with grades 3 – 5. You want to use this phrase to elevate the students’ expectations and self-worth.

It’s always good to get reference and make some practices sketches.

Students will use several different media for a fun collection of work. Print the Treasure Hunt PDF to give to everyone, so your kids can keep up with their progress and produce a variety of work.

Create sketches and drawings using the Treasure Hunt rules:

Every artist must create at least (insert the number you want for your class today) works of art, but no more than 6. If someone finishes early, they should add to an existing work until the end of class.

Students “Collect” items that dictate how art is made, as if they are treasures, choosing from six different categories and using each one in a work of art. A second work is made using six new items. Try to get as many of these treasures as possible to experiment with variety.

See below for all the treasure options, which are listed on the worksheet itself.

1. Size
   • Small
   • Medium
   • Large
2. Speed
   • Quick – sketch
   • Slow – detailed
3. Media
   • Charcoal
   • Pencil
   • Oil Pastels
   • Ink – brush or pen
4. Source
   • Real Life
   • Photo
   • Imagination
5. Style
   • Realistic
   • Expressive
   • Cartoon
   • Surrealistic
6. Subject
   • person: a hand, foot, face, or figure
   • Some art materials
   • Still life object
   • Something outside the window (or up high if no windows)
   • Some piece of trash, like a crumpled paper or used wrapper
   • A piece of furniture

Encourage students and make the rounds, helping individuals as needed by asking questions and giving your honest responses. 

This can be a simple title, a short statement, or a poem. Even a cartoon about it is ok. The idea is to get your students to think about what their work communicates to others.

It’s important to think of the writing also as a drawing. How can the lettering be done in an artistic way?

• Wash hands
• Super-wash brushes if used
• Put art supplies away
• Wipe tables & toss trash
• Remove any smocks (last)
• Check for items on floors and tables

This lesson allows personal freedom

STUDENT’S

MATERIALS

• 14″ x 17″ Sketch Paper
• Acrylic Paints
• Brushes
• Palette Pad
• Palette Knife
• Charcoal
• 2B Pencil
• Oil Pastels
• Ink
• Pen
• Canvas
• Watercolor Paper

Week 32: Robots & Skeletons

April 6 – 10

Students will learn about the skeletal system and how it affects the way an artist draws people. There is also a fun robot project using pipe cleaners and foil that helps them understand the proportions of the human figure.

Week 33: Mid-tone Still Life

April 13 – 17

Students create a still life painting using an acrylic technique that begins with a mid-tone of a warm neutral color. Then they will paint the dark shadows throughout, before finishing with the light areas. It’s a fast and easy method that yields awesome results!