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.

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.

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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