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.

Fun and Easy Early Finisher Lessons for Halloween | Art Sub Lessons

Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos with Engaging Art Activities!

Engage your students with fun Halloween-themed art lessons. Explore sugar skulls, sombreros, and piñatas using crayons. Templates and visuals included!

Are you looking for a creative and educational way to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos with your students? Look no further! This TeachersPayTeachers  resource, from Centers and Early Finishers, offers a collection of three exciting art activities perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month.

This would be a good addition to your sub binder. Since it  is ready to be taught and uses simple materials, it works well for an emergency sub plan.

What’s Included?

This comprehensive resource includes everything you need to guide your students through fun and culturally enriching art projects. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• 1 page of directions outlining various ways to use this product.
• 1 editable sheet of directions for substitute teachers or classroom use, ensuring a seamless lesson plan.
• 3 sheets with photos of iconic Mexican symbols: a Calavera (sugar skull), a piñata, and a sombrero, along with descriptions of their cultural significance.
• 3 sheets of editable directions for center activities, detailing what students need to do for each project.
• 3 sheets of templates for each picture (sugar skull, piñata, and sombrero), ready for students to add their own patterns and colors.
• 6 sheets of finished artwork examples to inspire your students.
• 1 sheet of sample designs from Mexican folk art.
• 1 sheet of sample patterns to help students get started.
• 2 formats included in the file: .pdf and .pptx

Why You’ll Love This Resource

These activities are designed to be both educational and enjoyable, allowing students to explore Mexican culture while expressing their creativity. Whether you’re focusing on Halloween or Día de los Muertos, these projects are a fantastic way to bring cultural awareness into your classroom.

Supplies Needed: Pens, crayons, or markers.

Versatile and Easy to Use

One of the best features of this resource is its versatility. It can be used in various educational settings and adapted to fit your specific needs. The editable directions make it easy for substitute teachers to step in and deliver a seamless lesson, while the center activity sheets provide clear instructions for students working independently.

What Teachers Are Saying

Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what one satisfied buyer had to say:

“Great resource for our Hispanic Heritage thematic unit. I just needed the sombrero pictures but ended up using all of it!”

This feedback highlights the flexibility and value of this resource, making it a must-have for any classroom celebrating Hispanic Heritage, Halloween, or Día de los Muertos.

Get Started Today!

Bring the vibrant traditions of Mexican culture into your classroom with these engaging art activities. Your students will love the opportunity to create their own colorful Calaveras, piñatas, and sombreros while learning about the rich cultural heritage behind these symbols.

Head over to TeachersPayTeachers now to download this fantastic resource and start planning your next art lesson!