University of Minnesota
Beautiful Brain: Brain Inspiration
"Neuroscientists consider Cajal as important to their discipline as Einstein is to physics." The first of four lessons has scholars view Santiago Ramon y Cajal's drawings of neurons. They reflect and respond to the art through writing...
Curated OER
Shaving Cream Snow!
Students spray shaving cream on a table and then play with it. In this art lesson, students make lines with their fingers and can even use other objects as well. Students attempt to make a snowman, snowflake or anything related to snow...
Curated OER
Winter Ice Candles
Students make ice candles. In this art lesson, students fill a balloon with water, add a drop of food coloring, and blow into the balloon and tie a knot in the balloon. Students then put the balloon in the margarine tub and put...
Curated OER
Tie Dye Eggs
Students create "tie-dye" easter eggs in this easy elementary school lesson. Materials needed include paper towels, food coloring, eggs, and rubber gloves. This Easter lesson can be accomplished in 30 minutes with extra time needed for...
Curated OER
Easy Easter Crafts
Students make different crafts to represent spring and Easter. In this crafts lesson plan, students make cookies, nests, and bunnies out of their hands.
Curated OER
Heart Shaped Mice
Students create mice using heart shapes, construction paper, yarn, markers, scissors, and glue in this Art lesson for the early-elementary classroom. The activity is an excellent alternative for use during the Valentine's Day season.
Curated OER
Japanese Fan
Students discuss Japanese culture and the functional and artistic uses of fans and create paper fans using watercolors, popsicle sticks, and tape in this Art lesson for the elementary classroom. Can be used as an introduction to...
Curated OER
Stand Up Bunny
Learners create "stand-up bunnies" for classroom display in this early-elementary Art lesson ideal for the spring months. A bunny template and design ideas are included to aid in the teaching process of this fun and quick lesson.
Curated OER
Sunset Silhouettes
Students create "SUNSET SILHOUETTES" using primary colors, black construction paper, and glue in this elementary-level Art lesson. The lesson extension included with this lesson involves creating a nativity scene and might be...
Curated OER
Van Gogh's Sunflowers
Students create replicas of Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers using construction paper, tissue paper, glue, and scissors in this art instructional activity for the elementary classroom. The flowers can then be displayed in the room as a...
Curated OER
Egg Carton Caterpillar
Students create "egg carton caterpillars" using egg cartons, glue, and basic art supplies in this excellent Art, Science, and Language Arts lesson on caterpillars and butterflies. The caterpillars are displayed for two weeks and then...
Curated OER
Fruit And Veggie Prints
Learners discover the art of printmaking and practice painting skills in this Art lesson for the elementary classroom. Paints, brushes, sponges, paint trays, and fruits and vegetables are all required to produce the prints in the art...
Curated OER
Wiggly Spiders
Learners create "wiggly spiders" using black paint, construction paper, yarn, and their hands in this fun, messy, art lesson for the early elementary classroom. An ideal lesson for the Halloween holiday or for a lesson/unit on spiders.
Curated OER
Hatching Chicks
Pupils create hatching chickens using plastic Easter eggs, yellow cottonballs, small plastic eyes, and orange construction paper in this fun and quick Easter Art lesson for the elementary classroom. A list of recommended craft books is...
Curated OER
Blessing Boxes
Students create "Blessing Boxes" to show what they are thankful for in this Art lesson ideal for the Thanksgiving holiday. The materials needed include empty (and clean) milk cartons, brown construction paper, and magic markers.
Curated OER
Torn Paper Collage Books
An excellent instructional activity on bookmaking awaits your learners! This simple, and easy-to-implement plan should provide you with some excellent student-made products that you'll be proud to send home with them. The instructions...
Curated OER
Acrylic "Shingles"
Young artists of all ages create texture using dried slabs of pourable acrylic paint. They experiment with texture by turning a liquid into a solid and finally into a 3-D work of art. This lesson uses easy-to-find materials, and the...
Curated OER
Nureyev: After Petipa
Incorporating the arts into regular classroom practices isn't an easy task. Learners will research background information regarding Russian culture, history, and conflict then see how those things have applied to the rigors of Russian...
Curated OER
Masking Tape Masterpieces
Students create non-objective art based on the design elements of line, color, balance and movement using tape. This simple lesson plan encourages students to create patterns by overlapping and defining lines on a canvas panel. One of...
Curated OER
Bas Relief Paintings
Budding artists are introduced to a new medium for Bas Relief sculpture: block printing linoleum. They design and sculpt a dimensional piece of artwork, creating a variety of textures, lines and depths. This engaging lesson should excite...
Curated OER
Minimal Animals
Have fun creating imaginary creatures with this symmetry lesson plan! Your class will paint one half of their imaginary creature, fold their paper in half, which will result in a symmetrical figure. What a great art project to combine...
Curated OER
Architectural Letters
Have your class construct their own architectural letter. This art project focuses on architecture, or the art of building. You can connect this activity to a biography activity. Your class can decorate their initial to reflect their...
Curated OER
Woven Felt Wall Hanging
Artists of many ages use steel, plastic, tree branches and other natural materials to weave a wall hanging. The materials needed for this fine plan are easy to procure, and the process is clearly-described. The results are beautiful, and...
Curated OER
Reverse Pastel Paintings
Create a unique spin on reverse painting with oil pastels and acetate. The combination results in a beautiful and vibrant art piece. This is a great project to introduce your class to oil pastels.