Valentine Art Lesson - Special Needs

Valentine Art Sub Lesson for Autism and Special Needs

Today I taught a self contained class of first grade and kindergarten students who have autism.

When they first come into the classroom, we do a movement activity.  Today we danced to "Get Your Wiggles Out" that I downloaded from YouTube.

After that we went over to the work table.  Here are the supplies that I had ready.

I had prefolded and cut hearts out of 12 x 18 inch red paper.  There was a tray of torn colored tissue paper. I had folded acetate transparencies, but a cut open sandwich bag or wax paper would have worked.  We had glue sticks.

To prepare for the sub lesson, I prefolded  transparencies in half.  Then, to cut the heat shaped frames quickly, I folded each one in half then folded it in half again. That is when I cut the half heart shape that went through all four layers of the folded paper and ended up with two symmetrical heart shapes. 

The students rubbed the glue sticks one entire side of the transparency sheet.

They laid one piece of tissue paper at a time inside the folded transparency until they filled the entire sheet.

The transparency then got refolded and stapled inside the heart shaped construction paper.

After they were done, we took the "stained glass" valentines over to the window and enjoyed looking at their beauty.

Their art time is 30 minutes long and the activity took around 15.  With the remaining time we watched storybook videos and Disney song videos.

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Autism/Special Needs Art Sub Plan

Art Sub Plan for Special Needs Class

This is an idea I am going to try with the autism art class I will sub in tomorrow. I don't have the exact supplies but I think I can make it work.  When I retired, I just couldn't leave that pack of transparencies I have been hoarding for years.  So, I'll try using those with a glue stick and cut tissue paper.  If it works out decently, I'll post the results.

Now to go and look for videos to inspire the kids for the lesson.

Special Needs Art Sub Lesson with Balloons

Art Lesson for Students with Autism and Special Needs

Hi......As a retired art teacher, who subs for my art teacher friends, I come into the classroom with all my own plans.  I know my way around an art room and have no fear of paint.  When I was full time in the classroom, I rarely, if ever, left tempera for my own subs. However, I think there may be instances where it would be okay.

I have subbed for a friend's half hour elementary autism art class and this is the first lesson that I did.

Balloon Play and Print

I downloaded some short YouTube videos about balloons.  All told, the videos probably lasted 6 minutes.  I passed out a blown up balloon to each student and we all played with them for a while.  All of us, kids and teachers, had fun.  We tossed.  We caught. Someone happened to hold their balloon over the blowing heater and the balloon levitated.  Then, we all had to try it.  The kids would have continued playing for a long time, I think.

At some point I brought the kids over to the demonstration table and showed them how to bounce the balloon in the plate of tempera paint.  From there I bounced the balloon on the paper.  After a few bounces I rotated the paint color and bounced the same color in the new color.  In this way, they get a wee bit of color mixing.  They also get to observe the shape of the balloon printed on the paper.

After we finished balloon printing, the assistant lead the students, one by one, to the sink to wash hands.  Another teacher manned the balloon print table as I went back to the projector.  After the students dried their hands, they came back to the carpet and I showed the same balloon videos.

We hadn't even watched all of the videos again when it was time to go.  Having the time for videos during the handwashing though was a nice way to occupy students when the teachers needed to do other tasks.

It would be nice to leave your sub a clean paint shirt or apron for this lesson.


********************************************************************************
It didn't occur to me to take my own photos.
***** photo credits*****
licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
photo by Marco
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcx83/6482430163/in/photolist-aSQ9Di-gCRWtj-duGimr-a2yRMC-xascmT-4cdrns-22Hbrs-oGQCJh-tWfMe4-aatXqL-yMMLFu-aat4Qe-qEfFN-nn6Mwp-eivXWm-gCRpt2-9uGexz-eP5gzp-pwLPwk-583kwS-fzDc4k-anKjEx-fhCDqv-anKmjX-anKjti-anKkCi-anN9eC-ezpZi3-cFfBKA-fAim7j-xjXDNE-fAimgL-5ehEC2-fjrR8E-bQmRTF-kpBo3-pwbbuv-fjrP7A-3byGAD-oUrt6D-Arjnp-3y1bDA-2ZjWuY-pyPDMF-h1B9k4-6N1eJd-x9iikT-fhSUmu-dmFmVm-8mmqCu

Art Sub Plan - Hands with Pattern

Elementary and Middle School Art Sub Lesson Idea

Art sub plans could nicely be made from this lesson.

Looks like this is in Dutch, but I think you can decipher it pretty easily.

Click here:  Handen met patronen (I'm guessing, "hands with pattern.")

It seems to me that basically you fill a page with pattern. Then you trace your hands on top of the pattern. Lastly, you color in the shapes inside the hand shapes. They appeared to use small tipped pens or markers. I like that look. Lovely.

Reggie Laurent Abstractions - Art Sub Plan

Here's a lesson that could adapted for a sub.  Check it out here at the “We Heart Art” blog:  Reggie Laurent Abstractions.  Beautiful.

 

If you are interested in a fully written up lesson that is ready to hand to a sub, you can check out this one at my TPT Shop. The Colorful and Fun Paintings of Reggie Laurent

This no prep lesson was written so that it could be taught by art subs, but it could also be taught by art teachers and classroom teachers. Key topics include abstract art, organic shapes, geometric shapes, and the art of Reggie Laurent. The materials needed are simple: paper and either crayon or marker. It would work well for an emergency absence or maternity leave. 

It contains full directions for teachers and students. There are many photos of paintings by Reggie Laurent and visuals of student samples. There is a link to a YouTube video about the artist, but it is not necessary for teaching the lesson. (All photos of Reggie Laurent's work have been used with the permission of the artist.)

If you are interested in other lessons that would work well for Black History Month, check these out:

Whoosh! I'm Flying! - based on the book, Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold

The Magical Fantastical Sculptures of Nick Cave

Tips for Preparing Your Sub for a Tough Class

Tips for Preparing Your Art Sub for a Tough Class

Art sub plans would well be served by remembering these tips. My favorite tip is that you let your substitute teacher know ahead of time of possible problems.  (Last year I spent an hour with  20 plus kindergarteners by myself,  only to experience one of them screaming the entire time.  I was out in a trailer by myself and the teacher didn't leave any phone numbers to call in case of problems. Not fun.)

Anyway..... here are some great tips:  9 Ways to Prepare Your Sub for a Tough Class.

Art Sub Lesson Plans - Art Cars

Elementary Art Sub Lesson about Art Cars

Here's an elementary lesson that I taught as an art sub recently.  It is based on sculptural art cars.  Famous art cars include the Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile and painted cars by Warhol, Haring and Lichtenstein. Students are lead through photos of famous and not so famous art cars and come up with ideas for their own art car.

I created this as a lesson to be used by an art sub but it certainly may be used by art teachers or classroom teachers as well.

You can check it out here at my TeachersPayTeachers shop.

I always write my sub lessons so that they use the most simple materials, pencil, crayons and paper, in order that they can be put together quickly.

This would be great for an emergency art plan since all you have to do is hand the printed slides to the sub or have them show the
PowerPoint lesson.  It is complete from start to finish.

And best of all, the students find this lesson highly engaging.  That's an important thing when you have a sub in the classroom!!!

Crazy Hat Day - Art Sub Plan

Art Sub Lesson Plan | Wacky Hats

This is an elementary lesson that I have totally revamped, so if you bought it from my TeachersPayTeachers shop in the past, you may download the new one for free!

This lesson was written with an art sub in mind, but it would be great fun for anyone to teach on "Crazy Hat Day" at your school.

Now that I am a retired art teacher, I sub for my art teacher friends.  This is a lesson that I have been teaching the last few weeks. The kids love it.  They are encouraged to use their imaginations and come up with crazy ideas for a wacky hat.

The lesson has artwork from art history; artwork from the present; student samples; and complete directions.  Anyone can follow along and teach this lesson. All they have to do is read along from slide to slide.

You may find this lesson here:  Art Sub Lessons @ TeachersPayTeachers.

Art Sub Plan - Beyond the Gingerbread Man

Art Sub Lesson Plan - Gingerbread Man

When I was a full time art teacher and taught this lesson, my students loved it! Gingerbread, candy and sweet things are attractive to kids.  Who knew, right?  (wink)  So now that I am retired and substitute teach in art, I like to use my lessons that were the kids' favorites.

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 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.

I make my lesssons so that they may be projected as a PowerPoint or printed out and shown to a class close up. Each slide has a script for the sub to read and questions to ask.  It it easily taught by any sub, artist or not.

It can be taught any time of year, but certainly has a connection with early winter holidays and decor.

So, this lesson is available at my TeachersPayTeachers shop here:  Beyond the Gingerbread Man.  Once you download it, your sub planning is done.

Fun Art Lesson - Mona Lisa Parodies!

Fun Art Lesson about Mona Lisa

With a little preparation ahead of time, this could be a fun sub lesson.  I can see kids buying into this one. Check out this blog post:  DRAWS Attention!!! Mona Lisa Parodies!

Back to School - FREE Art Sub Lesson - K-1

Lines, Lines, and More Lines - Art Sub Plan

This art sub-plan is actually a lesson I taught as one of my back-to-school lessons every year. I taught it with kindergarteners mainly, but also with preschoolers and first graders on occasion. Also, as a part of this lesson, I did a lot of movement, creating silly sounds and lines with our bodies. This made it one of my all-time favorite kinder lessons.

You can have this PowerPoint for FREE. You may find it at my lesson plan shop, ENJOY!

Art Sub Plan - Native American Shields

This sub lesson is perfect to accompany Native American Indian units of study.  It may be used by an art sub, art teacher or classroom teacher.  It is one of those lessons where every student feels successful when they are done.

I have taught this as an art teacher/art sub and have found that students get highly engaged in this lesson.

You may find this lesson at my TeachersPayTeachers shop.

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Art Sub Lesson - Robot Roundup

Robot Roundup | Art Sub Plans for Elementary

Robots! Kids love robots! This is a fully prepared and ready-to-teach sub lesson. 

It is one that really gets the kids engaged. They look at photos of different types of robots and get to share what they know about them. Then they are led through a drawing lesson in which they may either follow along to draw a simple robot shape or draw one independently.



Afterward, they add all the details they can imagine. They are encouraged to think about what sorts of jobs their robot could do; what background would fit in their plan; and what other objects would fit well in the drawing. They are given tips on how to color neatly to finish the work. When teaching this lesson as a sub, I have never had a disinterested student. 

You can find this lesson at m TeachersPayTeachers shop: Art Sub Lessons.  It is perfect for a sub as it is fully formed.  All the sub has to do is show the pictures and read what is printed.  They do not have to know how to draw to teach this lesson.  It is all right there in the lesson.

STEAM Art Sub Plans - Invent an Instrument

STEAM Sub Plans for "Invent an Instrument" 

Spark your students’ s imaginations with this lesson from Mini Matisse. She has written up a complete lesson for your art sub. There are plenty of visuals to put in your lesson plan, as well as a couple of videos. Check out her new, complete sub lesson. It focuses on the artist, Mary Ellen Childs, and her fascinating musical instrument inventions.  There are lots of visuals and complete instructions. 

Art Sub Plan - Photo Booth with Value

Middle School Art Sub Lesson for Photo Booth withValue

Here's another clever art sub idea from Nic Hahn (aka Mini Matisse).  Check out this photo booth drawing with value shading.

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.  

Why Is Your Cat Angry? Art Sub Plan

Art Sub Lesson for Angry Cat

This art sub plan was put together by Nic Hahn over at the Mini Matisse blog.
She said that this “Angry Cat” lesson is quick and easy to use and includes both a writing component as well as a drawing one.  It is based on a book by Milly Bang, Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry.  The worksheet is downloadable for free from a provided link by Art Projects for Kids.

Art Sub Lesson - Warm and Cool

Warm and Cool Art Lesson

Here's an easy one from Art Project Girl.  The main part of the lesson is about warm and cool colors.  She gives samples and a few simple instructions. A sub could easily teach this one.

Here is another post about using warm and cool colors for an art sub lesson:  Kindergarten Art Sub Plan - Klee’s “Cat and Bird”

Fifth Grade Art Lesson - Coat of Arms

Here is a complete lesson plan with samples from Mr Mint Art  

This upper elementary and middle school art sub lesson was created exactly as a sub lesson.  There are directions written for a sub and plenty of visuals. This is about as much as you can hope for when you are looking for a free sub lesson online. Don’t miss it.

This is one of those lessons you can just print out, leave in your sub tub, and know that you have something ready to hand to a sub.

A-Mazing Dinosaurs - Idea for Art Sub Plans

Maze Making Art Sub Lesson

Thanks so much to Elizabeth for sending this one my way.  Check out her blog and this art sub-appropriate lesson at Dream Painters:  A-Mazing Dinosaurs.

There are other lessons on how to draw a maze, if you would like to try this with some basic directions. Plus, there are YouTube videos on Maze Making. I think kids would love trying this one!  Here’s one where the teacher shows how to make a maze in a shape:  Ms. Cooper’s Art Class

Be Kind to Your Sub

What a different experience it is between teaching in my own classroom and substitute teaching in someone else's.  I am venturing out into the world of substitute teaching these days and am getting a new perspective into the world of subbing.

I have seen rich and full lessons left for subs and I have seen overly simplistic ones. The intent of giving a sub a super simple lesson plan is kind.  Teachers don't want to give someone a plan that is beyond the sub's capabilities to teach.  However, when I look at some of the lessons I have been left, I know that some are wildly inadequate.  Recently, I was given a page out of School Arts magazine about "expressive line."  It was a lovely idea, and I have incorporated it into lessons in my own classroom.  However, as a stand alone lesson, it was not appropriate for an hour long lesson for 6, 7 and 8 year olds.  If I had taught that lesson, I can imagine that even the most engaged kids would have lasted 15 minutes or so.  I find it hard to picture the more fidgety kids doing more than a line or two.

What will happen in your class when your students have 45 minutes...or 30....or even 15 minutes left after a lesson? When you set up sub plans, ask yourself if you would teach that same lesson.  Ask yourself how long your students would actually be engaged in that activity and what will happen with the extra time left over.  Is it really an age appropriate lesson? Leave books and activities for the students to use when they are finished with their work.  Leave a dvd player and art videos.  Leave books for the sub to read aloud.  Prepare for that unencumbered time when problems are prone to occur.

Instead of rushing around at the last minute, why not work now to set up a folder of good lessons or a "sub tub"?  Get yourself prepared for that emergency sick day.  It doesn't have to take hours and hours to get this together.  You can get tons of lesson ideas from this blog.  There are tons of Pinterest boards linking to sub plans.  If you want fully formed, age appropriate art sub lessons, check out my shop at TeachersPayTeachers.

Be kind to your kids and your subs.  Please plan well for them.

Art Sub Plan - Patterned Lego Man 

This post is by my long time blog friend, Stephanie Allgood.  The inspiration for this lesson is wonderful.  Kids love those Legos and I can imagine they would focus on doing a good job with this lesson.  She left this lesson with her sub, so it is kid tested!

Here's the post:  Make It a Wonderful Life.

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.

Emergency Sub Plan- Captivating Castles

Students are captivated by castles. Their imaginations soar dreaming about the romance of medieval times. In this lesson, they will learn about castles from medieval Europe, including the exterior architecture and the reasons for their design. It includes illustrations from the early 1400's by the Limbourg brothers and photos of castles that still exist.

After going over the lesson, the students will draw a castle of their own design. They will utilize architectural elements they have learned but are encouraged to invent their own as well.

It was written in great detail for use as an emergency sub lesson but could be used by an art teacher or classroom teacher.

This PowerPoint may be used in two ways. It may be printed out and shown page by page to the students or shown as a projected PowerPoint.

The supplies needed are simple. The student will need paper, pencil, crayons or markers.

This lesson is written so that it may be taught completely by following the prompts in the slides. It written for use by grades two through five, but certainly could be used by older students. 

Find it here for $3.50 on TeachersPayTeachers:  Captivating Castles - Emergency Art Sub Lesson Plan  No one wants to spend hours writing lesson plans in an emergency.  My shop takes care of that.  Lessons are written so they are ready to hand over to the sub.

Art Activity for Subs | Create a Super Hero

Create a Super Hero | Art Sub Idea

Mr. Badger has created a sub plan in which the 4th and 5th grade kids create a super hero.  The original post that I had here no longer seems to exist. You can make a lesson from the visuals he had thought. They are below.  Mr. Badger does have other lessons. Here is his Google site:  Mr. Badger’s Art Class

Circle Drawing Game - Art Worksheets Printables

Circles Games - Art Worksheets Printables - Free

Teachers love art games and worksheets. I have created a free one for you called "Circle Drawing Game."

Art Worksheets for Free

You can go download this worksheet at my TPT Shop: Art Sub Lessons and it is FREEEEEEEEEEEEE!

The next one is another worksheet that I just added  and it is FREE TOO!  Click here to get this one: What Can You Draw from Circles?

The instructions are simply "What can you make from circles." There are circles of various sizes. Feel free to use these as you like. 

Here's another idea for circle drawing on a worksheet. Click here to see the YouTube video titled, "How to Draw different things using Circle Shapes." It is more of a step-by-step activity.

Here are a variety of places where you can find circle worksheets.

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/art-cover-lesson-bundle-11441307

http://nocornersuns.blogspot.com/2014/01/free-art-sub-lesson-circle-game-adapted.html

https://clubexperience.blog/2018/03/29/30-circles-challenge-creative-icebreaker-activity-with-free-download/

Abstract Art Sub Plan for Kids

Art Sub Plans - Abstract Lines

This could be a good sub lesson.  Check out this abstract art lesson at: No Time For Flashcards
It is a very simple lesson that could easily be taught by a sub. 

It reminds me very much of this lesson, Loopy Line Fish.  

Loopy Line Fish as an Art Sub Plan

This is a find from Art Project Girl.  She says it should take a half-hour or so.  Coupled with a book or video about fish, you could add on the needed time.  Or you could give this to your sub in case they need something to fill in the time.

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 - Ted Harrison Paintings

Art Sub Plan Inspired by Ted Harrison

At the blog, Grade ONEderful, this teacher's sub did some amazing things with this class.

I have never had a sub do anything with paint, other than an art-trained sub.  I wonder if I should give this a try!

Creative Faces - Art Sub Plans

Art Sub Plans Elementary - Creative Faces

Theresa Gillespie, at  Splats, Scraps and Glue Blobs, posted a sub lesson to check out.  (Recognize that face?)  Here's a link to the sub lesson: Creative Faces.