Getting to Know
Shape and Form in Art
Introduce youngsters to the important role shape and form play in art with this extensive collection of activities and projects. From teaching first graders how to create mandalas to engaging third and fourth graders in the design...
Curated OER
Bodies In Motion: Shapes and Gestures
Students use geometric shapes to describe body parts. In this geometry lesson, students use geometry vocabulary as they discuss body parts. They practice drawing bodies using shapes based on a wooden model that is poised to show specific...
Curated OER
What Shapes Can You See?
Students investigate shapes in art. In this visual arts lesson, students examine the ancient Panamanian "Plaque" and identify the geometric shapes in the art piece. Students combine basic shapes to make an artistic picture of their own.
Curated OER
Radial Balance Geometric Shapes
Fifth graders create a radially balanced design using geometric shapes which exhibits their prior knowledge of symmetry. They use a kaleidoscope image to develop a design using markers or colored pencils.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Islamic Art and Geometric Design
After an overview of Islamic traditions and art, young artists create their own geometric shapes and patterns using only a straightedge and a compass.
Curated OER
Shape Collages
To reinforce shape recognition and identification, little learners create a shape collage. They name each shape as they go, gluing or pasting them onto bright paper. They discuss collage techniques and are encouraged to use their shapes...
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
Shapes in Agriculture
It's time to get crafty with shapes! Your future farmers demonstrate their geometric ability by building a farm using triangles, circles, rectangles, and squares. But first, scholars take part in a brainstorm session inspired by their...
K12 Reader
The Art of M.C. Escher
Show your class one way in which art and math are related by teaching them about M.C. Escher. Class members read a brief passage and then respond to five related questions.
Curated OER
The Basic Shapes of Everything
Students explore basic shapes in art. In this sketching lesson, students discover that art is created from basic shapes. Students determine the basic shapes in a picture and recreate the image.
Curated OER
Shapes: Art or Geometry
Budding artists or mathematicians read about,and then draw, two very different shapes. Geometric and organic 2-D shapes are defined. Learners use the definitions to draw examples of each.
Curated OER
Tessellations: Geometric Patterns
Learners create tessellation drawings using repeating geometric shapes.
National Gallery of Canada
My Treehouse
If you could build your own treehouse, what would it look like? Using a piece of contemporary art as inspiration, learners draw their own treehouses and add geometric and organic shapes. The lesson plan touches on Visual Thinking...
Curated OER
Discovering Art-Huntington Gallery Shape
Students study geometric, naturalistic, and abstract shapes. They discuss how various shapes are used in art. They study The Young Fortune Teller by Joshua Reynolds to find various shapes.
Curated OER
Woodlands Ribbonwork
Learners make art based on the ribbon work of the Woodland Indians. Background information on the art form and procedure are laid out in an easy to follow step-by-step format.
Curated OER
Ocean Exploration: Shapes and Patterns Under the Sea
So many shapes in our vast oceans. Young explorers can discover new shapes in a variety of ways in this lesson. One way is having free exploration with a pattern shape kit handed out by the teacher. Another is by viewing a...
Curated OER
Shapes and Introduction to Geometry
Learners make a quilt. In this geometry lesson, students discuss patchwork quilts and learn some different geometric shapes and patterns that are commonly used. Learners explore designs with triangles and squares and then make their own...
Curated OER
Geometric Houses
Students identify the parts and functions of a house by creating a house made of geometric shapes. They listen to the book "Houses and Homes," and use cues from the story to help them build their homes.
Curated OER
Tour + Workshop = DESIGN: Shape
Ask elementary pupils to explore shapes in everyday objects. They will discuss the elements of design and describe the shapes they see in visual images. Students will then design and "build" a new 3D shape. Finally they will show and...
Curated OER
Navajo Rug
Navajo art incorporates many fascinating shapes and designs. In this shapes lesson, students explore how shapes may be combined to create art and architecture. They also discover shapes in the world around them.
Curated OER
Greek Pottery Designs
Get creative while exploring the art and history of the ancient Greeks. Learners create construction paper representations of Greek pottery, focusing on the differences between geometric and organic shapes. This project could enhance an...
Curated OER
Rhythm and Art: Rhythm Collage
High schoolers create a collage in response to musical rhythm. In this visual arts lesson plan, students will better understand the connection between visual arts and musical rhythm. High schoolers will follow the teacher's model of...
Curated OER
Getting into Shape
Students identify 3-D geometric shapes through different pieces of artwork. They examine and identify segments and angles. Students act out shapes and create a piece of artwork. Additional cross curriculum activities are listed.
Curated OER
Soft Sculpture Birds
Art can mimic life, and animals are always interesting subjects. Learners create large soft sculptures (stuffed) birds using paper, paint, and other basic collage materials. They view images of birds, and discuss bird traits and shapes....
National Gallery of Canada
My Abstraction
What makes a color warm, and what makes a color cool? Explore colors and abstract art through an observation activity and an art assignment. Learners look at images and talk about colors before making their own compositions with...