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

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