Silly Sandwich Art Lesson

Silly Sandwich Art Sub Lesson

This lesson idea has been around for a while and it is still as good as ever. Kids love "silly" and fun anything and this is no exception.  You can load anything you want on a silly sandwich. Food, toys, the kitchen sink. It's all good. 

If you have time, cutting 12” x 18” paper into 6” x 9” makes for a fun size.  This size really exaggerates how silly and big this sandwich is.

If you want to save yourself some time, I have this lesson fully formed in a PowerPoint in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  There are photos of real silly sandwiches and student samples.

It works great as a lesson to leave with your substitute teachers. All your sub needs to do is read the script and follow the directions. Classroom teachers and art teachers can teach it too, but subs love this one. The kids stay engaged doing it.

Oh! And I added a word find puzzle about sandwiches for those early finishers.  You can check it out here:  Art Sub Lesson - Silly Sandwich

5 Back to School Art Sub Lessons

Art Sub Lessons that Anyone Can Teach

Back to school time must be the hardest time to think up art Sub lessons. Here Are 5 Art lessons that are easy enough for art subs and classroom teachers but can be used by art teachers as well.

Lines, Lines, and More Lines by Jan Johnson at Art Sub Lessons

Minions by Miriam at Arte a Scuola

Dot Day by Ms. O'Hanley at Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher

Collaborative Creatures by Katie Weymouth at Briargrove Elementary Art Page

Art Sub Plans - Collaborative Creatures

Collaborative Creatures - Back to School Art Sub Plans

This open-ended, creative lesson can double as an art sub-plan and a back-to-school lesson. Katie Weymouth has posted it over on her blog, Briargrove Elementary Art Page. 

Katie has given detailed instructions on how to teach this lesson and has provided tons of student created artwork. That’s one of the reasons this is such a nice sub plan. It is so ready for you to print out and hand to a sub.

Back to School Art Sub Plans - Dot Day

Dot Day for Back to School Art 

Teachers love to integrate Dot Day into their Back to School lessons since, for many, they happen around the same time. (September)

 

Here are Dot Day lessons from Ms. O’Hanley, Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher  She’s got a video link and multiple lesson ideas that a sub could do.  

 

One of my favorites is this radial symmetry design done on a paper plate.  Check it out! 

Art Sub Plan for Back to School - Emoji

Back to School Art Idea

***Note: The original post that I linked to here no longer exists. Actually, so far as I can tell, the whole blog is gone.  But here is my original post.***

Kids would love to do this if they had a sub in art.  You could print out samples of emoji and have the students create new ones.  This plan could easily be adapted to crayon.  Check this idea out over at:  Room (: Art!

Create a Block Character - Art Worksheets Printables

Create a Character - Art Sub Plan and Early Finishers 

 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, early finishers, and art sub plans worksheets too!

Here is feedback from a middle school teacher: "My Middle School Art students enjoyed this assignment. It allows for a range of art supplies at home- so they all felt successful !"

Worksheets for Early Finishers are the perfect tools to engage students with time on their hands. Your art subs will adore you for leaving worksheets for those empty minutes, but you will appreciate them just as much.This is a quick art project for early finishers. There are three worksheets included. One worksheet has a figure lightly drawn in and students create their own characteristics over it. Another is the same worksheet but the character is drawn darkly. The last worksheet is a full page character with nothing else. Students may create characters from stories, movies, sports, hobbies or their own imaginations. There are sample body features that they may use or they may invent those too. There are teacher samples included so that you don't have to spend the time to do it yourself! 

This may also be an inspiration for a writing assignment.

Disguise a Turkey - Art Worksheets Printables

Draw a Turkey in Disguise - Art Worksheets Printables

Art Worksheet - Disguise a Turkey

Need a Thanksgiving art sub plan, art lesson or early finishers worksheet? This is a fun and creative worksheet for kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. This drawing lesson is based on a classic lesson in which students alter the appearance of a turkey to help him escape Thanksgiving dinner. This could be a great lead in for a Writers' Workshop lesson. The supplies needed for this worksheet are pencils and crayons or markers. CLICK HERE TO SEE A VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE WORKSHEET

Here’s where you can find that worksheet:  TPT Shop: Art Sub Lessons

Silly Monkey - Art Worksheets Printables

Art Worksheet - Silly Monkey

 

  Mini Art Project - Early Finishers Worksheet Whew! This time of year you definitely have to keep those kiddies on their toes. You need to occupy their every minute. Here is a fun worksheet you can give them that is engaging and creative. It is a great way to have them fill in those moments when they need activity. There is a lightly drawn outline of a monkey and boxes of possible details. The student will choose their own details and add whatever they like. They then may draw a background and color in. Your kids will love this! You will too.

Easy Art Plans for Subs

Easy Art Sub Plans

Here is a free art sub PowerPoint plan for you at my  Teachers Pay Teachers shop: Art Sub Lessons.  This lesson is one I use with kindergarten.  We do lots of moving around making the shapes of lines as we look at the slides. TeachersPayTeachers requests that you make your free PowerPoints smaller than your "for pay" ones, but this is still full of good images and information for your students and subs.

Here are a couple of "easy sub lessons" from Dali's Moustache.  One is a third grade lesson about Jackson Pollack's action paintings.  The other is a fourth grade lesson called "crayon fireworks."

Another easy way to prepare for an art sub is to go to my shop, Art Sub Plans. I have created complete lessons in which all your sub has to do is read the slides and follow the directions.  They are full of visuals and are created to be used with the most simple supplies.  Pencils, paper and crayons are all your students will need to create imaginative works of art.

These are perfect for those emergency absences when you do not have the time to write detailed plans but want to leave quality plans for your subs.

Art Sub Plan Idea - Easy Shape Tracing

This lesson would be great for an art sub with just a small bit of tweaking. I can't imagine leaving a lesson that includes black tempera paint, but there are work arounds.

From experience, I know that kids love tracing. Cans. Coffee lids. Flat tools. The more diverse, the better. Crayons are a perfect medium here and great to leave with subs.

Get inspiration from this gorgeous lesson from The Moffatt Girls.

Art Sub Plan Doodle Pages

Ms. Kristen-Crayon Can posted this sub idea a while back. Check out her blog to find out from where her idea came.

If your students like doodling, perhaps they will enjoy this worksheet for early finishers in my TeachersPayTeachers shop.

 Art Sub Plan - Op Lines

The blog, Kids Art Market, has written up directions for a lesson that could be used by an art sub. Don't you love it when someone else has already done the work and shared it???

Mollie Morrisey based her lesson on the art of Victor Vasarely, the father of op art. She gives basic info about that artist in her blog post. 

It reminds me of another blog post here. It is a one day art lesson with shapes done, not that much unlike, these concentric circles.  I also linked to an art history lesson on Kandinsky that could serve as an intro to the lesson.  You can see that blog post here:  One Day Art Lesson

If you’d like a video to introduce a lesson on concentric circles by Kandinsky, you can check out this video by Alyssa Abel: Concentric Circles with Kandinsky

Easy Elementary Art Sub Plan

"The worst part of my job is preparing for a sub." That is a statement we can probably all agree with. You need to spend tons of time to describe even the tiniest of directions. That quote is from "Art Project Girl." She made it a little bit easier for you though, by posting this art sub plan. 

It has written instructions, visuals, and uses simple materials. 

It works well as a lesson to use in February as it uses warm and cool hearts as the subject.

Easy Art Sub Plan - Doodling

Here is an easy elementary art lesson that a sub could work with. It would be nice to pair it with a book on patterns. You can find more about this lesson at the blog, Dali's Moustache.

Dali’s Moustache used this with first and second graders. They also link to a video for inspiration.

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If you are here looking for an art sub plan that you can print out and use ASAP, check out my TPT Shop:  Art Sub Lessons.  Sometimes you just don’t have time to write up art sub plans.  If you want something easier, visit my TPT shop that I created just for that purpose:  Art Sub Lessons.  I’ve got fully formed, no prep, scripted art lessons as well as art worksheets.

If you’d like to start with some free art sub plans, you can find those too.

St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun - Art Sub Plans Worksheets

Elementary Art Worksheet for Early Finishers and Art Subs

St. Patrick's Day - Leprechaun worksheet...For those early finishers who finish their work a little early and need a little positive engagement to fill their time.

Here's a new worksheet in my TeachersPayTeachers shop.

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

Worksheets for Early Finishers are the perfect tools to engage students with time on their hands. Your art subs will adore you for leaving worksheets for those empty minutes, but you will appreciate them just as much.St. Patrick's Day elementary worksheet. This worksheet is a creative time filler for students who need to occupy themselves when their classwork is complete. The worksheet inclues a lightly drawn outline of a leprechaun, as well as a full sheet drawing of a leprechaun. You may use either. There are also sample details given that the student may wish to include or they may invent their own. A sheet of examples is included so that you do not have to do it yourself. This could be part of a station or center. It could be used in the classroom or art room. All the student will need to provide is pencil, crayons and their imagination.

Art Sub Plan - Creative Letter Drawings.

Creative Letter Drawings for First Grade

Ms. Nguyen had to start teaching at a new school with little or nothing in the way of supplies.  She came up with this lesson that used what little she did have.  Here is a simple lesson that a sub could possibly do.  Check it out at Art with Mrs. Nguyen.

Elementary Art Sub Plan - Hand Creatures

Back to School - Hand Creatures

I love art lessons in which each student's art is uniquely their own . It is even better if you can find a sub lesson that achieves that. This lesson fits the bill well. Hand Creatures by Katie Weymouth Gonzalez.

Katie did this lesson with her students early in the school year. It is such an open ended art activity, and the kids loved working on it. The interest level was high with this lesson, which makes it a perfect candidate for a lesson to leave for a sub.

Groundhog’s Day - Art Worksheets Printables

Groundhog Day Art Worksheet for Early Finishers

As someone who subbed a little bit after retirement, I can tell you that subbing can be HARD!!!  You didn't need convincing of that though, did you?

One of the toughest times is when kids have finished their assignments and need something else to do. There's that "I'm done. What next?" thing that happens.  And you had better have something for them to do to fill in that time or you are asking for trouble.

Groundhog's Day Worksheet 

I created early finisher cartoon worksheets just for that reason. They feature lightly drawn figures surrounded by options for noses, hair, objects to hold, and a variety of other things, for the student to choose from. They create a disguise for their character. This one is a groundhog. They may use the items that I have drawn or just use them for inspiration. 

These are not just for subs. Teachers appreciate having them on hand as well.

Reviews

Here are what some people have said about my early finishers worksheets:

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"My students loved creating their own images with the ideas presented. They were able to use multiple different ideas to create the best fit for them. These worked great for a variety of my students with disabilities. I adapted them as necessary.

Students used with

4th, 7th grades

Primarily students with mild to severe disabilities"

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"I will usually tie these doodles into a story, but I love how they can create their own!

Students used with

1st grade

Students were engaged"

Where to Find These

A single worksheet is only $.99, though I sell a bundle of different ones at a discounted price. You may find the one for Groundhog's Day here:  Groundhog's Day Worksheet for Early Finishers

Click here if you are interested in the bundle:  Early Finishers Art Worksheets Bundle

Enjoy!

Art Sub Plans - Boat on a River of Pattern

Elementary Art Sub Plan "Boat on a River of Pattern"

This art looks like it could be turned into a sub lesson pretty easily. It was over at 4monkeysstudio.

This lesson could be so appealing to both students and subs. It is a simple idea that most everyone would succeed at. 

I found another lesson that might be a good lead in. Check out this blog post at JuliannaKunstler.com The blog post is called, “Zen Landscape....Creative Pattern.” She has step by step direction for how to do the drawing and has visuals to go with it.

Maternity Leave - Art Sub Planning

Planning for an Art Sub during Maternity Leave 

I can only imagine what a headache it is planning lessons for maternity leave. (As if you did not have enough to do already!) My daughter was born before I got an actual teaching job and once I went into labor, I didn't think about work again until I had to go back.

In this post, "Preparing to Leave", Katie Morris explains some of the things she did to prepare for her maternity leave.

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.

Ancient Greek Vases - Art Sub Plan

Here's my latest sub-plan for art.  If your students study Ancient Greece, this is a great tie-in lesson.

This lesson was written with an art sub in mind, but it could be used by classroom teachers or art teachers as well.  In an art history lesson that ties n with Ancient Greece, students are given the opportunity to design their own Grecian vase.  The student will design the vase using images from their life or a favorite story.  Sample designs are given so that you can display them.

There is a worksheet included in the PowerPoint, which the teacher will need to print out ahead of time.  There are also examples that may be printed out if the teacher wishes to have them on display during the lesson.

I have created the lesson so that all a sub will need to do is read each slide and follow the instructions.  It may be projected as a PowerPoint; printed out and shown up close as the students sit nearby; or printed out and projected via a document camera.

BONUS!!!!!  I have included a word search about Grecian urns.  It is great for those early finishers!

World of Your Own - Art Sub Plan

World of Your Own - Art Sub Plan - Creativity Drawing

Here is a beautiful book-related lesson from Marcia Beckett at Art is Basic.  The lesson is based on the book, A World of Your Own, by Laura Carmen. Check out her blog to see this fun and easy lesson.

The book encourages children to imagine a world of their own. The lesson that Marcia presents is open ended to give students a chance to really imagine something of their own making.

If you are looking for an art sub plan that is ready to go RIGHT NOW, check out my TPT Shop: Art Sub Lessons.  My shop is full of art sub plans. Most are totally no prep and use only the simplest materials. They can be taught by anyone.  

Here’s one of my lessons that is based on a totally imaginary scene:  Beyond the GingerBread Man.  This one is based off of the idea of the gingerbread man and gingerbread houses. Kids would be happy drawing simply either one of those. But in art class, we want to do more than that. So in this lesson the kids look at pictures of standard kinds of gingerbread creations and then more unique and creative ones. They share their new ideas with each other and then draw them. 

As I have taught this lesson, the kids have been highly engaged. As a sub in a class of students who don't know me, engagement is important. As an intro to the lesson, I started with a Speakaboos video on YouTube that I downloaded. It was one with John Krasinski, from The Office, as a narrator. You certainly could also supplement with one of many fun books about the gingerbread man. After that I showed the PowerPoint lesson.

Art Worksheets for Christmas and Winter

Christmas Worksheets for Early Finishers - Art Worksheets Printables

Are your students getting "squirrelly"? The closer it gets to Christmas, the busier they seem. If they are finishing their work and are in need of engagement, try one of these holiday worksheets. They are fun and creative. They could be a HUGE HELP to your subs!!!
This December worksheet for early finishers is a creative activity and time filler. Students will enjoy drawing this reindeer in disguise. A sub would also enjoy having an activity to hand to students who need to occupy their time when their assignment is complete. This worksheet shows sample details, but students are encouraged to invent their own. The only supplies needed are pencils and crayons.


This December worksheet for early finishers is a creative activity and time filler. Students will enjoy drawing this reindeer in disguise. A sub would also enjoy having an activity to hand to students who need to occupy their time when their assignment is complete. This worksheet shows sample details, but students are encouraged to invent their own. The only supplies needed are pencils and crayons.














You may find this worksheet at my TeachersPayTeachers shop here:  
Art Sub Lessons



Art subs will love you if you leave something for the kids to do after their lesson is done.  Check out my worksheet for early finishers:  Create a Nutcracker Worksheet
Here's another that I created that might work well for you at this time of year. 
Early Finishers - Create an Elf in Disguise.
or this favorite, Early Finishers - Create a Gingerbread House

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Fill a Claw Machine - Art Worksheets Printables

Fill a Claw Machine - Worksheet for Early Finishers

Here's an early finishers worksheet that kids would love to imagine filling.  It's great for after they finish their work or to include in a classroom station.  The claw machine, like the ones they see near the check-out lines at stores, is waiting for them to fill with what they wish was inside. 

I hope you enjoy this worksheet and will follow me at TeachersPayTeachers.

Wayne Thiebaud Art Sub Plan

One Day Art Lessons for Substitutes - Wayne Thiebaud

The blog,  The Elementary Art Room, shared a Wayne Thiebaud lesson she says would work great for a sub. She has included the visuals that she used in her lesson.

Here is a link to another post about Wayne Thiebaud art sub lessons and videos.  Wayne Thiebaud Art Sub Plans.

If you’d like to teach using a free video that I created as an art sub lesson, you can check it out on YouTube here:   The Delicious Paintings of Wayne Thiebaud

December Art Worksheet - Reindeer in Disguise

December Art Activity for Early Finishers

This December worksheet for early finishers is a creative activity and time filler. Students will enjoy drawing this reindeer in disguise. A sub would also enjoy having an activity to hand to students who need to occupy their time when their assignment is complete. This worksheet shows sample details, but students are encouraged to invent their own. The only supplies needed are pencils and crayons.

You may find this worksheet at my TeachersPayTeachers shop here:  
Art Sub Lessons

Penguin in Disguise - Art Worksheets Printables

Early Finishers - Create a Penguin in Disguise

This art worksheet gives those early finishers a creative outlet after their classwork is done.  This could be a real-life saver for a sub.

You can find it here at TeachersPayTeachers.

Need an art activity for an independent work packet? This worksheet gives those early finishers a creative outlet after their classwork is done. Teachers also use these in centers, as part of Writing Workshop or as a fun homework assignment. A penguin shape is lightly drawn in. Sample details the students may use are provided and a page of sample disguised penguins are given. Students are encouraged to invent their own details and background

Winter Art Worksheets for Early Finishers

Nutcracker, Elf, or Gingerbread House

Art subs will love you if you leave something for the kids to do after their lesson is done.  Check out my worksheet for early finishers:  Create a Nutcracker Worksheet

Here's another that I created that might work well for you at this time of year. 

Early Finishers - Create an Elf in Disguise.

or this favorite, Early Finishers - Create a Gingerbread House

Art Sub Plan - Imagination Drawing

Art Sub Plan Using Imagination

Here's one I haven't seen before!  Check out this lesson at Dansquare's Art Education.

It is based on this book, ““If.......”, by Sarah Perry. (Not an affiliate link, btw.). Here’s the blurb from the book.  “ Take a fantastical journey through an inspiring world where anything can happen: leaves turn into fish, cats fly with wings, humans have tails, frogs eat rainbows, and dreams become visible. 

First published in 1995, Sarah Perry’s delightful picture book of “surreal possibilities” was the Getty’s first children’s title. Twenty-five years later it remains a visual feast that children of all ages enjoy.”

That sounds like a book that would be a good addition to your classroom library in addition to having. Good lead-in for this lesson.