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.

Valentine Radial Symmetry Lesson

Valentine Radial Symmetry Lesson

Creating a design using radial symmetry can feel very satisfying. Radial symmetry is a great crossover concept for the math, art, STEAM, or general classroom.

"Cool Classroom Stuff" has created a lesson on radial symmetry that ties into Valentines Day.

Four drawing templates are provided. Three have heart designs and spacing guidelines to assist the students in starting their designs. One template has spacing guidelines only. This is in case you want the students to create the entire design themselves. There are also two slides with sample drawings.

The lesson requires a simple set up and students may use crayons, markers, pens, or colored pencils.

If you'd like to check out this lesson, visit Cool Classroom Stuff's shop at TpT. The lesson is only $3.00 right now.

Art Sub Plans for Day of the Dead

Elementary Art Sub Plans for Day of the Dead

Here's a super sweet and short video that kids would enjoy watching during a Dia de Los Muertos lesson and would help for an art sub lesson. Day of the Dead Video

There are plenty of lessons around that you could teach with this. Here are a couple.

The first one is a STEAM activity for drawing a symmetrical sugar skull. Click here to see it at the TPT Shop: Cool Classroom Stuff.

The second one includes three doodle worksheets for sugar skulls, piñatas, and sombreros. Click here to find it at the TPT Shop:  Centers and Early Finishers

Art Sub Plans - Leprechaun Trap

St. Patrick’s Day Art Sub Plans for Elementary

Here is an elementary art activity for St. Patrick's Day and March. The blog "Coffee Cups and Crayons" has written up a fun and engaging activity called "Making a Leprechaun Trap." 

Megan gives information about how she did the activity with her kids, but you could write up the directions in lesson plan form pretty easily.  There is discussion, interaction and drawing.  With her kids she had them draw on an old cereal box for a 3D effect. The drawing should work just as well on a sheet of paper.  Her post is a good jumping off place for you to create a St. Patrick's themed sub plan.

St. Patrick’s Day STEAM Lesson

If you are looking for a St. Patrick's Day lesson for upper elementary and middle school, you might try this STEAM activity.

Students create a design using radial symmetry. Templates and samples are provided to give the students a boost to start.  You can find that at the TPT shop: Cool Classroom Stuff. 

Here's one more idea for St. Patrick's Day that works great as a sub lesson or early finishers activity.

The TPT Shop: Centers and Early Finishers has a doodle/pattern filling shamrock design that kids will enjoy.

Here's one for the early finishers.  "Create a Leprechaun in Disguise."

Are there any other great ideas out there for St. Patty's Day?  Let me know in the comments.

Art Sub Lessons for March and St. Patrick's Day

Art Sub Plan Ideas for St. Patrick's Day

Need art sub lesson plans and activities for March?  Here are some things I found that will help out around St. Patrick's Day. This includes a STEAM and STEM lesson or two.

Here’s one that I describe elsewhere in this blog. How to Trap a Leprechaun.  

"Cool Classroom Stuff" on TeachersPayTeachers as a great lesson for art and math. A STEAM lesson, "Create a Symmetrical St. Patrick's Day Design" would be great for upper elementary, middle, or high schoolers.

This one was done in crayon.

This was done with marker pen.

Storytime Anytime reads the book, How to Catch a Leprechaun, in this YouTube video. (The book is by Adam Wallace with illustrations by Andy Elkerton.) After reading the book or watching the video, you or your sub could have students draw a leprechaun trap.  (You may need to remind them to build something that would be kind and keep the leprechaun safe.)

This printable Celtic Knot coloring page is in PDF format and designed to be printed on letter sized paper. It is by Literary Springs Designs.

Here is an art activity from the TPT shop: Centers and Early Finishers. Upper elementary and middle schoolers might enjoy this.

Here is a sample of that lesson done in crayon.

And here is one done just in black pen.

Here is a free writing prompt and drawing activity for primary classes from A Classroom for All Seasons on TPT.

Here is a free printable St. Patrick's Day Word Search from MPM School Supplies.

Here is another book or video that could help fill in class time when you have a sub.  Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato, by Tommy DePaola .

Any combination of these things should help fill in a class period and help keep sanity in your room while you are out.

Next is a worksheet for early finishers. This one is in my TPT shop, Art Sub Lessons.




This next one would work well for SPED or preschool.  You would need to cut out the shamrocks first, but it should be a successful lesson.

Coco - Day of the Dead - Art Sub Plan

Day of the Dead Art Sub Plan

Did you see “Coco”? Oh my gosh! That was a cute movie! And I cried!

If you have been looking for a lesson or sub lesson to go with Dia de Muertos, here is one by TPT Shop: Cool Classroom Stuff.

 This art activity would be fun to do around a Mexican holiday like Day of the Dead or Cinco de Mayo. If your students have seen the animated movie, “Coco,” they will be familiar with Día de Los Muertos. Great as an art sub lesson; learning center; or activity for early finishers.

This PowerPoint includes:

-Three drawing templates featuring sugar skulls. One has a center guideline; one does not, and one small one has a guideline and fold lines to be utilized as a greeting card.

-Six sample drawings, showing a variety of media. They may be hung in the class as visuals for a lesson or hung in a learning center. 

-One sheet with a composite of these that may be hung in a learning center.

-One sheet of sample designs you might see on sugar skulls.

-Five sheets of information about sugar skulls; directions on how to draw one; and information about symmetry.

-Four bonus sugar skull coloring sheets. May be used for students who need a little help or just for fun.

The designs may be created with pen, crayon or marker.

Radial Symmetry and Valentine Art Lesson

Radial Symmetry and Valentine Art Sub Lesson

Here is a radial symmetry art lesson for Valentines Day plus, a fun video by OK Go using radial symmetry. 

To see the video, click here:  OK Go Video with Symmetry

   

Here's an art activity that is great as a STEAM project; a classroom art lesson or as an art sub plan. There are examples and templates. Great for upper elementary and middle school students.The lesson is by TPT Shop: Cool Classroom Stuff.