The last months of the year can be a wild time in the art room. So incorporating a simple seasonal lesson that focuses on one element of design and minimal setup is a combo you won’t regret.

These Christmas ornaments are not only simple (and beautiful), but an excellent way to explore analogous colors. And experimenting with a variety of recycled materials is always an added bonus.

This plan includes three variations, so you get to choose which option works for you and the grade level you’re teaching. No watercolors? No problem. Washable markers and water to the rescue. No plastic cups? Ask students or families for toilet paper rolls and you’ve got what you need for circles. Want to do this with younger kiddos? Paint some paper and pop out circles with circle punchers and glue. So. Many. Choices.

Now for the glitter. I don’t typically use glitter in the classroom, but for this project, the magical touch is worth it. So grab yourself a plastic tray to contain the mess and succumb to the sparkle!

Your students will LOVE making these sparkly decorations as cards or a class display. And YOU will love the magic they bring to your creative space.

What’s Included:

• Three project variations

• Lower Grade Adaptation (Written instructions only)

• Materials Lists

• Written Instructions

• Instructional Video

• Teacher Examples

Lesson Plans are designed for new and seasoned art teachers who need the essentials and support of photos and/or video to teach a classroom-tested and kid-approved  art lesson.

Make your bulletin boards glow this holiday season with these magical Christmas string lights!

In this lesson, students will learn all about value as they use oil pastels to create smooth gradients. This is one project where the smudginess of oil pastels makes them one of THE best and most forgiving tools for blending.

This project is also excellent for strengthening fine motor skills through cutting, tracing, and using finger swipes to create the final glow. SO many opportunities to build dexterity!

And the best part? Watching the colors transition from rough stripes to a smooth gradient is SO satisfying, and it will totally get your students pumped to experiment with more complex types of value.

What’s Included:

• Materials List

• Preparation Checklist

• Color Combinations List

• Lightbulb Templates

• Detailed Written Instructions

• Step-by-step Photos

• Instructional Video (timelapse)

• Student-facing Demonstration Video

• Photos of Completed Student Work

Lesson Plans are designed for new and seasoned art teachers who need the essentials and support of photos and/or video to teach a classroom-tested and kid-approved  art lesson.

Creating form on a flat surface is a complex skill to learn, but one that many young artists are eager to explore. So what better way to experiment than with simple materials and delicious inspiration?

These stunning donuts are easy to create with markers and a white paint stick. Add a little pencil shading and you are going to have a group of kids who are SO impressed with their delectable sweet creations, they’ll be asking to recreate these sweet treats over and over again!

Layers of color show students how to build value in a rough, yet oddly satisfying way. And the highlights are created in seconds – instantly gratifying!

Shading indeed takes practice, but working with graphite makes it an easily erasable and forgiving process.

This project can be done any time of year, but I’m a big fan of throwing these frosted donuts in alongside the traditional holiday cookies and pies.

What’s Included:

• Materials List

• Shading Practice Sheet

• Donut Reference Photos

• Detailed Written Instructions

• Step-by-Step Photos

• Instructional Video

• Student Work Examples

• Teacher Examples

Lesson Plans are designed for new and seasoned art teachers who need the essentials and support of photos and/or video to teach a classroom-tested and kid-approved  art lesson.

It’s mid-autumn (or any season, really) and you want to create something funky and functional that will grab your students’ attention and KEEP them focused amidst holiday frenzies or mid-year burnout.

I’ve got you covered with this stunning paper weaving project.

In this lesson, students will use lines to create a mystery pattern placemat using the simplest paper weaving technique — the tabby stitch.

These placemats are not only super easy to make, but they’re also such a fun gift to bring home for dinner-heavy holidays! And if it’s not a placemat, it’s a totally rad wall tapestry.

Paper weaving is one of the best ways to strengthen fine motor skills, develop dexterity, and improve hand-eye coordination. Not to mention the flow state that naturally occurs once students get into a rhythm!

Make a single mat or an entire set for the whole family! Make them big, make them small. Your kids will LOVE this paper weaving project!

What's included:

• Lesson summary

• Materials list

• Detailed written instructions

• Photos of student work

• Printable pattern templates and visual aids

Lesson Shorts are designed for seasoned art teachers who need the minimal amount of information to teach an excellent art lesson.