Dragon Dance Art Sub Lesson for Kindergarten

Kindergarten Art Sub Plans

Chinese New Year is on Friday, February 12 this year. What a fun opportunity to teach primary students about another culture. 

Chinese New Year Video

Here's a great children's video that does a nice job of teaching about Chinese New Year. This would be a nice introduction to the lesson.

Click here to see this video:  Learn About Chinese New Year

Dragon Dance is a lesson that you can create for Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year. There are children's books and YouTube videos about Chinese New Year Dragons that you can use to introduce the lesson and then have students draw their impressions of Chinese dragon costumes and Lunar New Year parades. 

Art Sub Lesson that is No-Prep and Fully Scripted

If you don't have the time to create your own lesson, I have one over at my TPT shop. The one I created was written for an art sub but it can be taught by anyone.  I've added lots of visuals and background that provide motivation for the students. Click here to check out my lesson: Dragon Dance - Kindergarten Art Sub Plan for Lunar New Year

I have heard from classroom teachers as well as art teachers who have taught this.  They all seemed to have success and the kids loved it.

Reviews of My Lesson on TPT

Here are some reviews of this lesson: "I think this is a colorful and detailed resource that I can use or have for a sub to use. I have a book of poems called The Dragons are Singing Tonight by Jack Prelutsky that will be an additional resource to integrate with this lesson."

"So much fun!!! Such a great resource! Loved the different dragon pictures!

Huge hit with my Kindergarten class."

"This was lots of fun! I used it as a last minute activity and it was well received!"

Click here to check this out at my TPT shop: Dragon Dance - Chinese New Year Art Lesson

Art Sub Lesson for Kindergarten - Dragon Dance

Now that I am retired from full-time art teaching, I substitute teach from time to time.  I realize how important it is for a substitute teacher to be given good plans. Art teachers know to leave a sub-plan that can be taught by anyone, but they also need to leave something in which the students will be interested.

This is a lesson that I taught for many years in my own classroom.  I have created this PowerPoint so that all a sub needs to do is to read the information on each slide as they show the pictures.  Questions are included to help lead the students through a discussion. 

The lesson introduces the students to Asian dragon costumes as they might be seen in parades and festivals.  Along with background information about the mythical dragons, students observe decorative details used in these festive costumes.

Using the most basic art room supplies (paper, pencil, and crayons), students will create their own imaginative dragon costume.

This lesson may be taught as a PowerPoint projection or printed out and each page shown, one-by-one.

This would be perfect as an emergency sub lesson or as a lesson to be taught by a teacher at any time.

You may find this at my Teachers Pay Teachers shop.  

Chinese New Year Dragon

Chinese New Year  Dragon

This is a lesson that I have taught in my own art room and the kids have always loved it.  Before the lesson, I always liked to show YouTube videos of Dragon dances during the Chinese New Year celebrations.  There are also lovely children's books on the subject which would go great with this lesson.  You don't need either to teach this lesson though.  I've added lots of visuals and background that provide motivation for the students.

I have heard from classroom teachers as well as art teachers who have taught this.  They all seemed to have success and the kids loved it.  

The lesson introduces the students to Asian dragon costumes as they might be seen in parades and festivals. Along with a little background information about the mythical dragons, students observe decorative details used in these festive celebrations.

This would be perfect as an emergency sub lesson or as a lesson to be taught by a teacher at any time. 

You can find out more about this lesson at my TPT shop, Art Sub Lessons.

 Art Sub Plans: What to Do When the Lesson is Over

I'm always looking around for ideas to share with you about substitute teaching in art.  Today I found something I know your sub would love to know about. 

You know subbing is hard.  Yikes! We all have witnessed it with our own eyes. The lesson is finished and the sub is there with a class of kids who have nothing else to do. That's a recipe for bad behaviors to flare up

Janine Chen has come up with 50 Quick Activities for When Sub Lessons Run Short.  I would suggest that you print out the top five ones you think would work with your students and include them in your sub folder. Some might be new to you. Some are classics.  Kids will have fun with them and your sub will love you for it.

Ready Made Activities for Early Finishers

If you would like some printed worksheets for early finishers, you can find free and inexpensive ones at my TPT shop: Art Sub Lessons.

Circle Game - Free Art Worksheet 

Teachers, subs and parents may use this as an art game; a challenge; an early finishers activity; or an art lesson. Students create as many designs as they can think of using the circles provided. They may create imaginary objects; doodle designs; or as a way to list the things they can think of that are circular in shape. 

Early Finishers Art Activity - Create a Dragon in Disguise

One worksheet shows the lightly drawn in outline of a dragon. Around the sides of the paper are sample details that a student may use to create an original cartoon dragon. I have added an additional full page outline of a dragon that could be used. The student will also add details from their imaginations. After they have added all the details, they are directed to add a background and color their drawing. Much more of a creative outlet than a coloring sheet, your students will enjoy working on their own cartoon. This is one of those art activities in which every creation is a hit!

Early Finishers Art Activity -Create a Frog in Disguise

Need an art activity for an independent work packet? This drawing worksheet includes directions; sample details; and a lightly drawn in frog. All you need to do is print and distribute. Great for centers, subs and early finishers too.

Early Finishers Art Activity- Character

This drawing worksheet includes directions; sample details; and a lightly drawn in character. All you need to do is print and distribute. Great for centers, subs and early finishers too.

Early Finishers Art Activity - Red Riding Hood

Print and go. This art worksheet is a creative activity for students. The worksheet inclues a lightly drawn outline of Little Red Riding Hood. There are also sample details that the student may wish to include. They may also invent their own. A sheet of finished examples is included. This could be part of a station or center. It could be used in the classroom, art room, or with a sub. All the students need to provide are pencils, crayons and their imagination. (Bonus: I have just added a full page outline of Little Red Riding Hood as another drawing option you might choose.)

Early Finishers Art Activity - Trolls

Here's a review from a middle school teacher: "I loved how this ties in with the current Trolls movie- which so many of my students have seen being at home now. They enjoyed the assignment and being able to have the freedom to create whatever they wanted to make. Great activity !!"

There are plenty more as well.  Check them out at my shop:  Art Sub Lessons.

Chinese Dragon - Kindergarten Art Sub Lesson

Chinese New Year  Dragon

I have revamped an art sub plan that I made a few years ago.  It is in my TeachersPayTeachers shop.  (If you bought the previous version, please download this new and improved version for free!!!)

This is a lesson that I have taught in my own art room and the kids have always loved it.  Before the lesson, I always liked to show YouTube videos of Dragon dances during the Chinese New Year celebrations.  There are also lovely children's books on the subject which would go great with this lesson.  You don't need either to teach this lesson though.  I've added lots of visuals and background that provide motivation for the students.

I have heard from classroom teachers as well as art teachers who have taught this.  They all seemed to have success and the kids loved it.

Alphabet Soup Lesson as Art Sub Plan

Here's the development of a sub lesson that Phyl, at "There's a Dragon in My Art Room" posted.  She got the original idea from a  post on sub lessons by Erica at "Art Project Girl."   Here's a photo of Phyl's lesson: 

Here's the link to Phyl's lesson:  There's a Dragon in My Art Room.

And here's a screen shot of Erica's lesson:

Here's a link to Erica's blog:  Art Project Girl

Kindergarten Art Sub Lesson - Monsters

Kindergarten Art Lesson - Monsters

"Monsters" is a topic that has a high level of interest for elementary students. They don't have to be scary monsters, though some kids love, love, love the scary ones. Think of all the Sesame Street Monsters. Some are on the scarier side than others, but they're all basically furry and sweet.

Since monsters of the imaginary sort are not real, there is an infinite amount of ways they can be drawn.  That is what makes them such a good art sub lesson. High interest. Endless possibilities.

Finding art sub plans for kindergarten is a little hard.  Here's a great lesson that a sub could easily do. Find Monsters at the Artisan des Arts blog.

Books  You Might Like to Accompany this Lesson

As introductions to the topic, you might lead in with one of these picture books:

If You're a Monster and You Know It, by Rebecca Emberley

The Monster at the End of this Book, by Jon Stone

My Monster Momma Loves Me So, by Laura Leuck

Spider Sandwiches, by Claire Freedman

Monster Needs a Costume, by Paul Czajak

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak

A Fun Video to Go with the Lesson

Now, even more fun than a book as an intro to a kindergarten lesson is a video with singing and kids' artwork, based on a book.  Here is a video of If You're a Monster and You Know It, based on the book of the same name.  If you have a sub who can maneuver to YouTube and project a video, this is a great one.  Check it out at Kris Handley's channel on YouTube: If You're a Monster and You Know It 

Ready-Made, No Prep Lessons in my TPT Shop:  Art Sub Lessons

If you like this lesson idea, you might also like this primary level art sub lesson about Chinese Dragon Parades:  Dragon Dance

or this worksheet for early finishers that you will find here:  Create a Silly Monster

                                          

Art Sub Plan for National Dress Up Your Pet Day

National Dress Up Your Pet Day

Ooooooh, another holiday is coming up! January 14 is "Dress Your Pet Day."

Here's a blog post about it from National Today: Dress Up Your Pet Day

This would be an easy idea to turn into a lesson for substitute teachers. Use a few good photos of dressed up animals and show some books with illustrations of dressed up animals. The school library is full of them!!!!

Here's a little drawing I did of dressed up pets that you may use for your lesson, if you like, but the internet is full of photos of dressed up animals.

drawing by ArtSubLessons.blogspot.com

There are so many photos of dressed up animals on Flickr. If you search on Flickr, you can add to your search that you want photos using Creative Commons, which gives you permission to use the photo. You can break down that search to your more specific needs. Artists who post their photos will set them for the level of sharing they wish to give.

Photo by Richard Masoner. https://tinyurl.com/2tjz74sy. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Crayons and paper would be all you need for this one. Encourage adding details and a background.

From My Shop

If you are interested in some art worksheets that you could use for "Dress Up Your Pet Day," here are some that I have in my TPT shop:

Create a Dragon in Disguise

Create a Silly Monkey in Disguise

Create a Turtle in Disguise

Create a Frog in Disguise

Create a Penguin in Disguise

Create a Bunny in Disguise

Create a Groundhog in Disguise

Create a Panda in Disguise

Create a Yeti in Disguise

Create a Reindeer in Disguise

15 Lessons I Learned as a Substitute Teacher

15 Lessons I Learned as a Substitute Teacher

 

This was written a while ago, but the information in it is pure gold. “Strange New Teachers” shares their experience as a newly graduated art teacher, working as a long term sub. 

 

I subbed in the art room after I retired, and I can so relate to so much of what is in this post. 

 

Jan’s rule #1 for preparing for a sub:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  I.e., don’t leave them junky lesson plans that you wouldn’t even teach yourself. Give them more information than less.)

 

Here’s where you can find this blog post:  15 Lessons I Learned as a Substitute Teacher

Resources for Early Finishers     .99 @ TPT

One thing I always want to have on hand for my sub is a list of things for kids to do if they finish early. Included in my arsenal of activities, I have on hand printed worksheets of quick art projects. Click on these to check them out:

Create a Troll in Disguise

Draw a Turkey in Disguise

Create a Character in Disguise

Create a Tooth Fairy in Disguise

Create a Dragon in Disguise

Decorate a Jack Lantern

Create a Silly Monkey in Disguise

Create a Little Red Riding Hood in Disguise

Create a Turtle in Disguise

Create a Frog in Disguise

Create a Penguin in Disguise

Circle Game - Free Art Worksheet

Decorate a Jack O’ Lantern

Create a Bunny in Disguise

Create an Elf in Disguise

Create a Leprechaun in Disguise

Create a Groundhog in Disguise

Create a Panda in Disguise

Create a Yeti in Disguise

Create a Reindeer in Disguise

Doodle a Nutcracker

Draw a Silly Monster

Early Finishers Worksheets and Art Subs Lessons

Art Worksheets Elementary and Middle School

“Teacher, I'm done. What do I do next?" A dreaded question, especially for a substitute teacher.  Answer: Art Worksheets 

I have been creating fun classroom activities for years. Kids love them!  These drawing worksheets will also work great at home for distance learning. As a bonus, you can use these as art sub plans worksheets too!

Each worksheet has a lightly drawn outline of a character surrounded by images of possible cartoon features. Students choose the details they want and add them to the character. 

Typically, I sell these on TPT for $.99 apiece, but recently I have added them as a bundle option.  In a bundle of 21, you save over $5.

The worksheets include these characters: block people, dragon, Jack O'Lanterns, bunny, reindeer, turkey, panda, trolls, elves, penguins, monster, gingerbread house, monkey, yeti, turtle, frog, claw machine, groundhog, nutcracker, leprechaun, and Little Red Riding Hood.
Click here to go see the items in my TPT store:  Learning Packet for Art

Here are the individual items that are included in this bundle.

Winter Art Sub Lessons for Elementary

Here are some elementary art lessons that would make great sub lessons for winter and the new year. Some have directions and visuals included and some you will need to tweak a little.

"Winter landscapes by 1st grade - one day project" by Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists. One day lessons can make great sub lessons.  This one makes such a gorgeous work of art. Paint isn't a great medium for subs, but can be substituted with crayons or markers.  If you will let your sub use markers, make sure you  leave lots of instruction about how the students should use them.

"Snowman Directed Drawing Art Activity," by Proud to Be Primary. This blog post includes both written directions and plenty of visuals.  Crayons or markers can easily replace the paint used in the blog post.

"A Cup of Fantasy," at Arteascuola.  These painted cups are so colorful.  I am sure they can be recreated in crayon or marker.  You could make step-by-step visuals pretty easily for this one.

"How to Draw Penguins," by Cassie Stephens.  In this blog post, Cassie gives visuals, including a step-by-step one for how to draw the simple penguin shapes.  Students add whatever details they think up, so these can all be individualized.

Oh, boy. Teachers are wondering what to do with their antsy art classes this last week before winter break. Don’t give up and give them over to videos. Fun art lessons for that last week before Christmas vacation can be had at this TPT shop: Centers and Early Finishers.

This is a complete lesson at TPT. 

This is a doodle activity at TPT. 

This is another doodle activity at TPT.

This one is a freeby at TPT.

This is a fun activity over at TPT.

"Patterns for the New Year," by Strong Rock Elementary Art Gallery blog.  This teacher gives an overview of this lesson about goals for the new year.  You could provide your sub with simple visuals and directions to go along with this lesson.

Here is another complete lesson about Chinese New Year.

Here is an updated blog post with more ideas for the week before winter break.More ideas for the week before winter break.