Elementary Drawing Lesson - Pumpkin Sugar Skull - Halloween

 Pumpkin Drawing - Sugar Skull

Lesson Plan: Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Pumpkins

Grade Level: 3rd - 5th Grade
Duration: 1 hour
Objective: Students will learn about the Day of the Dead and create drawings of pumpkins decorated like Day of the Dead skulls.

Materials Needed:

• Drawing paper
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Black markers or fine-tip pens
• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
• Images of Day of the Dead skulls and pumpkins for inspiration

Introduction (10 minutes):

1. Discussion: Start with a brief discussion about the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). Explain that it is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
2. Visuals: Show images of traditional Day of the Dead skulls (calaveras) and decorated pumpkins. Highlight the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and symbolic elements like flowers and skulls.

Activity Instructions (40 minutes):

1. Sketching the Pumpkin Shape: Have students draw the outline of a pumpkin on their paper. Encourage them to make it large enough to add detailed decorations.
2. Designing the Skull Face: Inside the pumpkin outline, students will draw a skull face. They can include elements like eyes, nose, mouth, and other decorative patterns typical of Day of the Dead skulls.
3. Adding Details: Students can add additional decorations around the skull face, such as flowers, swirls, and other patterns. Encourage creativity and the use of traditional Day of the Dead motifs.
4. Outlining and Coloring: Once the design is complete, students can outline their drawings with black markers or fine-tip pens. Then, they can color their drawings using bright, bold colors typical of Day of the Dead decorations.

Conclusion (10 minutes):

1. Show and Tell: Have students share their drawings with the class and explain the elements they included in their designs.
2. Reflection: Discuss what they learned about the Day of the Dead and how it influenced their artwork.

Assessment:

• Participation in the discussion and activity
• Creativity and effort in the drawing
• Understanding of Day of the Dead traditions as demonstrated in their designs

Extension Activities:

• Writing Assignment: Have students write a short paragraph about the significance of the Day of the Dead and what they learned from the lesson.
• Class Display: Create a classroom display of the drawings along with information about the Day of the Dead.

STEAM Sub Plan - Symmetry in Nature: Bugs Edition

Exploring Symmetry Through Creative Insect Drawings

This lesson, from Cool Classroom Stuff, is both versatile and engaging. It may be used as a STEAM activity; art sub lesson; or learning center activity. 

Symmetry in Nature: Bug Edition

Students look at illustrations of symmetrical insects from art history as the teacher reads the script. Examples of student work and templates of bug shapes are provided. Print out the templates you wish to use, along with simple materials, and you have it covered.

This lesson plan is fully scripted, making it easy to implement in any setting.  Whether you're a seasoned teacher or a substitute, you'll find this lesson plan straightforward and effective.

This lesson plan is not just about drawing; it's about understanding the beauty and importance of symmetry in both nature and art.  By engaging in these activities, students will develop their artistic skills, enhance their understanding of symmetry and enjoy a hands-on learning experience.

You can find this lesson at the TPT Shop: Cool Classroom Stuff.

Robots in Winter - Art Lesson

 

Robots in Winter 

Here is a fun art lesson plan that you can use as a center activity; art sub lesson; or regular art lesson. The resulting student art would be perfect for hanging on a bulletin board.

Your students use the most simple materials. Crayon, pencil, or marker.

This is an easy lesson to teach and anyone can teach it. Great for when you are in a pinch and need something in a hurry.

This lesson is over at the TPT Shop: Centers and Early Finishers. It's a complete lesson with visuals and is only $3.00.

Art Sub Plan - Secret Rooms

Favorite Lesson

I really don't understand it, but kids from elementary to high school, LOVE dreaming about hidden spaces. Whether it is a secret container to hide your money or jewels from robbers to secret rooms in pyramids or mansions, kids seem to love dreaming up secret spaces.

There is an illustration of the hidden space under the Lincoln Memorial in DC at Atlas Obscura.  I have been to the Lincoln Memorial many times and had no idea there was anything beneath the memorial!

         
You can use that illustration and website to inspire a lesson about secret rooms or do an internet search and you can find plenty of examples. (Photo is in the Public Domain. National Park Service)

Kids are also intrigued by the pyramids of Egypt and the maps of the inner corridors. Hidden passageways drawings are a great art connection to the study of Ancient Egypt.

Prepared Art Sub Lessons: Secret Rooms/Hidden Passageways                                 

If you don't want to create your own lesson, I have one in my TPT shop you might like. It is complete with  historic references, student samples, and a complete script for what to say to teach the lesson.

Here are some reviews of the lesson.

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My students loved this project! The slide show with all of the interesting examples of hidden spaces was excellent and motivating. The students produced very detailed ideas after the slide show. I used it as a sub plan with a few classes when I had to be gone, and then I taught it in another class because the ones who had it from the sub loved it so much! " Used in 4th, 5th and 6th grades

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My students loved this project! The slide show with all of the interesting examples of hidden spaces was excellent and motivating. The students produced very detailed ideas after the slide show. I used it as a sub plan with a few classes when I had to be gone, and then I taught it in another class because the ones who had it from the sub loved it so much! " Used in 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My students loved this project! The slide show with all of the interesting examples of hidden spaces was excellent and motivating. The students produced very detailed ideas after the slide show. I used it as a sub plan with a few classes when I had to be gone, and then I taught it in another class because the ones who had it from the sub loved it so much! "

For less than $5, your sub lesson is completely prepared. Don't waste your time doing more!!!  I have already taken care of that for you. 

You can find that lesson here:  Art Sub Lesson: Secret Rooms and Hidden Passageways

12 Winter Art Sub Plans and Early Finishers

 

12 Winter Art Sub Lessons and Worksheets

This time of year so many people need art activities for early finishers, art sub plans, and just plain art lessons, that are not specifically Christmas themed. Here are seasonal art lessons that will excite your kids in December or the winter.

First off are a couple of free directed drawings I posted on this blog. The first one shows how to draw, step by step, a gingerbread man. The second one shows how to draw a Christmas tree.

How to Draw an Gingerbread Man

How to Draw a Christmas Tree

Art Sub Lesson - Beyond the Gingerbread Man

"Great engaging sub lesson. I teach choice art but only 

leave choice prompts for subs and this was perfect. No unhappy campers!"

— Kristen J.

Rated 5 out of 5

"I have bought several of these sub lessons and have loved 

every single one. This has made this year of frequently needing 

subs so much less stressful. Subs love them too. Thank you!"

— Jordan B.

Rated 5 out of 5

Art Sub Lesson - Ugly Christmas Sweater

"This was a super fun way to start an art project where we made "ugly tshirts". 

The students and I really enjoyed it!"

— Kim H.

Rated 5 out of 5

"My students enjoyed this classroom activity to fill a little time at the end 

of the semester before Christmas break. Very satisfied!"

— Stacey L.

Rated 5 out of 5

Draw a Gingerbread House

"Such a fun lesson! I use this each year as a sub lesson. Def keeps kids engaged!"

-Michelle

"Good for a substitute lesson or quick activity."

-TpT Seller

Radial Symmetry Drawing for Winter

Rated 5 out of 5Extremely satisfied

"Great resource to have. Students enjoyed it."

-Amanda

"Great resource right before the holidays!"

-Kelsey

Art Sub Lesson - Robots in Winter

"My fourth graders are loving this! The sample robot shapes and details sheets 

are a great reference for helping them to draw."

-Alison 

"This lesson was great for a sub lesson and the students really enjoyed it. 

The examples and ideas pages really helped them be successful. Definitely a keeper!!"

— Kim 

Rated 5 out of 5

Art Sub Plan - Doodle Monsters in Winter

Not Yet Rated

Art Worksheet - Create an Elf in Disguise

"Awesome! Wonderful resource for class project. Love it!"

-Shelby

"This one was flying off my counter during December!"

-Julie

Art Worksheet - Winter Mittens

Not Yet Rated

Art Worksheet - Create a Gingerbread House

"This was great for early finishers in my Art class during the holidays."

-Laurie

"My younger grades love this and the other products like it. They are 

so excited when I pull them out."

-Julie

Art Worksheet - Create a Reindeer in Disguise

"Perfect for right before winter break."

-Laurie

"My younger students love this one! I've seem some really cute finished products."

-Julie

Art Worksheet - Create a Christmas Stocking

"Super fun! I used these as a pattern to make hanging stockings."

-Karen

Art Worksheet - Create a Nutcracker

"Engaging for kids. Easy activity. Loves that the base model was a 

simple enough template that kids could turn it into any nutcracker they wanted."

-Kristen

"Good activity for early finishers! Using this in my music class during my 

Nutcracker unit. Thank you!"

-Cassandra