Upper Elementary & Middle School Christmas Art Lesson-Doodle Monsters

Emergency Art Sub Lesson Plan: Doodle Monsters with a Winter/Christmas Theme

This art sub plan is a lifesaver for those unexpected days when you need to take emergency leave or sick days from school. Keep it in your emergency sub binder and have peace of mind knowing you’re prepared.

Check out the in-depth preview here: Middle School Christmas Art Lesson: Doodle Monsters and add it to your WISH LIST.  TPT Cyber Sale is Dec. 2 and 3!!!

The lesson is fully scripted and comes with plenty of visuals to guide students through each step. It's perfect for keeping students engaged and learning, even when you can’t be there in person.

It can be taught as a projected lesson or printed out and shown up close.

Students will learn about overlapping and shading while drawing something fun.

This Lesson Contains:

• 15 Pages of Scripted Lesson Content: Full of engaging visuals. The teacher just reads the script and shows the pictures.
• Instructions for the Teacher: How to begin and end the lesson.
• 3 Student Examples: Print and hang these up for inspiration if you like. 
• 2 Black and White Line Drawings: Print as coloring pages for students who need extra help or differentiation if you like. Pages 23 and 24.
• 1 Page of Details to Add: Includes a variety of eyes, mouths, hats, candies, and doodle monsters. Print them out and display or place a copy on each table if you like

Art Sub Lesson Plan - Quirky Novelty Architecture

 Novelty Architecture - aka Duck Architecture

As art teachers, we're always on the lookout for for unique and engaging lessons that spark our students' creativity and curiosity. One such fascinating topic is "duck architecture." But what exactly is it?

The Big Duck Building in Flanders, NY. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. CC-BY-SA-4.0.  Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net).

What is Duck Architecture?

The term "duck architecture" was coined in 1968 by architects Rober Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. It refers to buildings that are shaped like the products they sell or represent. Imagine a giant ice cream cone for an ice cream sop or a massive duck for a farm stand selling duck eggs.  These buildings ae not just functional, they are also whimsical and eye-catching, making them perfect subjects for an art lesson.

Teapot Dome Service Station in Zillah Washington. Photo is courtesy of Wikipedia and is in the public domain.

Kids love the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild. They can be so creative drawing their imaginary duck building. 

I have written up a drawing lesson about duck architecture that is suitable to hand to a sub. 

With this lesson, your sub will read the script, pose questions, and show visuals to introduce students to this fun concept. Then, the kids will get to design their own "duck architecture" masterpiece. No cookie-cutter designs here—every child's drawing will be one-of-a-kind!

I tried really hard to create a lesson with lots of visuals and examples to inspire your students.  Here are thumbnails to give you an idea of what your students will see.

There are also instructions for you sub to let them know how to set up and end the lesson.

The materials needed are simple: paper, pencil, and crayon (or marker, if you prefer)

Whether you project it as a PowerPoint or print it out for a close-up look, all the sub or teacher has to do is follow the simple directions. Get ready for a fun and unique learning experience!

I don't want you spending hours writing a lesson plan for your sub, when you likely are in a hurry. So, check out this sub plan here in my TPT shop:  Quirky, Big Duck Architecture.

 If are interested in other art lessons related to architecture, you might like these:

A Home with an Onion Dome

A Tree House for Me 

Art Lesson Plan - How to Draw a Desert Landscape

The Perfect Art Sub Plan for Desert Landscapes

Are you an art teacher in need of a reliable sub plan that anyone can teach? Look no further! This lesson plan is perfect for those days when you need a break or have an unexpected absence. It’s also ideal if your students are learning about the desert, cacti, landforms, or the western United States.

Why This Lesson Plan is a Must-Have

Engaging and Educational: Students will learn about visual perspective and use it to create their own desert landscapes. This lesson not only teaches art techniques but also integrates geography and environmental studies, making it a cross-curricular gem.

Step-by-Step Instructions: The lesson is complete with detailed, easy-to-follow instructions and visuals. Whether you’re an art teacher, a classroom teacher, or a substitute, you’ll find this plan straightforward and effective.

No Prep Needed: All you need are simple materials: copy paper, crayons, and pencils. This makes it incredibly convenient to keep in your Emergency Sub Folder. No need for special supplies or extensive preparation.

What Students Will Learn

This lesson explains several ways that artists depict depth, such as overlapping, size variation, and placement on the page. Students will use these techniques to create their own vibrant desert landscapes, complete with traditional desert buildings, cacti, and other elements.

Flexible Presentation

The lesson can be presented as a projected PowerPoint or a printed PDF shown close up. All the sub or teacher has to do is read the slides or pages and follow the directions. This 18-page lesson is designed to be completed in one 30 to 55-minute class, though some teachers prefer to extend it. If time is short, the coloring portion can be done another day or omitted altogether.

Perfect for Any Situation

This activity is perfect for short or long-term absences and maternity leave. The PowerPoint or PDF lesson plan can be printed out and handed to a substitute teacher. You can even email it from home if needed! It also works great for distance learning on platforms like Google Meet or Zoom.

Versatile and Easy to Teach

Written specifically for substitutes, this lesson can also be taught by classroom teachers, art teachers, and homeschool teachers. It’s a versatile and easy-to-teach plan that ensures your students stay engaged and productive, even in your absence.

Don’t let an unexpected absence disrupt your students’ learning. Keep this lesson plan in your Emergency Sub Folder and rest easy knowing your students will have a fun, educational, and creative experience. 

You may find the lesson, "Desert Landscape Drawing," here, in my TpT shop.

*****

Update

I just created another desert cactus Art lesson. The first part of the lesson directs Kindergarteners and first graders how to draw a patterned, potted cactus. Second, third and fourth graders do the first part of the lesson too, but then they add on a desert landscape to the background. 2 art sub lessons for the price of 1!

Potted Cactus w Desert Landscape

Kindergarten Pumpkin Inspired by Piet Mondrian

 Halloween Art Lesson Plan

Perfect for spooky season! Let's jazz this up with some Mondrian flair. Here's a fun lesson for kindergarten:

Lesson Title: "Mondrian Pumpkins"

Objective:

Students will learn about the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, his use of geometric shapes and primary colors, and apply these elements to create their own pumpkin drawings.

Materials:

• White drawing paper (8.5" x 11" or larger)

• Pencils and erasers

• Black markers or crayons

• Primary color markers, crayons, or watercolor paints (red, blue, yellow)

• Rulers

Introduction (10 mins):

1. Briefly introduce Piet Mondrian, highlighting his most famous works.

2. Show examples of his art, focusing on "Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow."

3. Discuss how Mondrian used simple lines and primary colors to create complex, balanced compositions.

Activity Steps (30 mins):

1. Draw the Pumpkin Shape:

   • Have the students lightly draw a large pumpkin shape in the center of their paper using a pencil.

   • Encourage them to make their pumpkin big and take up most of the paper.

2. Divide with Lines:

   • Using a ruler and pencil, ask the students to divide their pumpkin into sections with horizontal and vertical lines, reminiscent of Mondrian's style.

   • Some sections should be big, others small; the goal is variety, not uniformity.

3. Outline with Black:

   • Trace over the pencil lines with a black marker or crayon to make bold, thick lines.

   • Ensure every section is neatly outlined for the Mondrian effect.

4. Color the Sections:

   • Fill in the sections with primary colors (red, blue, yellow).

   • Some sections can remain white, just like in Mondrian's works.

   • Encourage neat coloring or painting within the lines.

5. Add Finishing Touches:

   • If there's time, students can add a background or a stem, but it should still reflect Mondrian’s geometric and minimalistic style.

Conclusion (5 mins):

• Display the completed Mondrian Pumpkins around the room.

• Have a quick discussion about how using simple lines and colors can create interesting art.

• Encourage students to share what they enjoyed about combining Mondrian’s style with their pumpkin drawings.

Reflection:

• Ask students what they found easy or challenging about this activity.

• Talk about how art can inspire and be interpreted in different ways.

Voila! You've got a perfect blend of abstract art and autumn vibes.  

🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃

If you need an emergency art sub lesson that is ready to print and hand to a sub, these might be just what you need. Save yourself hours of time writing sub plans when you least feel like it.

Draw a Haunted House or Doodle Monsters at Halloween