Teacher Resources
These resources for educators (and parents) include a variety of lesson plans, handouts, homework, projects, crafts, and CCSS tie-ins for art-related information for youth.
Project: 30 Minute Chihuly Chandelier
This project description includes materials, prep and assembly.
Find the link here: http://www.k6art.com/2013/08/05/30-minute-chihuly-chandelier/
A similar project is that of these faux-glass bowls - a full description of the project and materisl are described at the following link: http://artasticartists.blogspot.com/2011/03/chihuly-glass-bowls-and-forms.html
Introduce the artist to your students with this four minute video of Dale Chihuly on the CBS Early Show:
This project description includes materials, prep and assembly.
Find the link here: http://www.k6art.com/2013/08/05/30-minute-chihuly-chandelier/
A similar project is that of these faux-glass bowls - a full description of the project and materisl are described at the following link: http://artasticartists.blogspot.com/2011/03/chihuly-glass-bowls-and-forms.html
Introduce the artist to your students with this four minute video of Dale Chihuly on the CBS Early Show:
Dale Chihuly on CBS Early Show from Chihuly on Vimeo.
Tie-in the project with a book on glass pieces made exclusively by children. Kids Design Glass by Benjamin Cobb is a great example of such a book, and includes beautiful, full-page color illustrations that could easily be projected onto a larger screen for a class to view.
Art & Science: Salt Painting & More
This activity includes the materials and instructions, along with photos of children creating their salt painting masterpieces on the following blog: http://bestactivitiesforkids.com/salt-painting/
One of the nice aspects of this project is that it is fairly inexpensive and easy to use, and will amaze your students!
A great book tie-in for this project is one that centers around discovering Science through art.
This activity includes the materials and instructions, along with photos of children creating their salt painting masterpieces on the following blog: http://bestactivitiesforkids.com/salt-painting/
One of the nice aspects of this project is that it is fairly inexpensive and easy to use, and will amaze your students!
A great book tie-in for this project is one that centers around discovering Science through art.
Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Experiences by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter was published in 1993. The age range is 2-12 years, grade level preschool-7. It is part of the Bright Ideas for Learning Series (Book 4.)
It received 3 Benjamin Franklin Awards, as well as the 1993 Washington Press Communicator Award for Non-Fiction Book.
Examples of projects included that could supplement this project are crystal bubbles and ice structures - the materials are similar for many projects.
It received 3 Benjamin Franklin Awards, as well as the 1993 Washington Press Communicator Award for Non-Fiction Book.
Examples of projects included that could supplement this project are crystal bubbles and ice structures - the materials are similar for many projects.
Matisse & More
This Matisse lesson plan is fantastic in that it can easily be adapted for children of many ages, and of skill levels. It can be used to teach color theory, art history or sensory skills.
Find out what materials you will need, along with step-by-step instructions (complete with accompany photographs) at the following link:
http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/CraftArtistMatisse.html
Henri Matisse: Drawing With Scissors by Jane O'Connor and Jessie Hartland is presented and organized in the style of a grade-school report.Keesia and Henri Matisse have the same birthday—New Year’s Eve! That’s why she picks him for her artist report. She finds out that over his long career Matisse made paintings, sculpture, books, costumes, and her favorite—his cut-outs, or what Matisse called “drawing with scissors.” The report is filled with about 20 of Matisse’s masterpieces as well as artwork that Keesia has created in his “style” (cut-out leaves, drawings through windows, fauvist animals). As she follows Matisse through his life she discovers why he is considered one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century. This book would make a great tie-in for this activity.
Warhol's Wonderful World
This project allows students to create and design their own soup can labels in the style of Warhol. This project would be a great way to introduce students to Pop Art. The following blog link includes a lesson plan, along with the materials required and a free template for creating the soup can labels. This project could be adjusted for many different grade levels and skill sets, and the labels could be pre-cut for those youngsters not yet handy with scissors.
Link to blog site: http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2014/01/warhol-soup-cans.html
This project allows students to create and design their own soup can labels in the style of Warhol. This project would be a great way to introduce students to Pop Art. The following blog link includes a lesson plan, along with the materials required and a free template for creating the soup can labels. This project could be adjusted for many different grade levels and skill sets, and the labels could be pre-cut for those youngsters not yet handy with scissors.
Link to blog site: http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2014/01/warhol-soup-cans.html
The nonfiction biography of Warhol, 'Fabulous: A Portrait of Andy Warhol' was written by Bonnie Christensen and is appropriate for ages 9-12. The Lexile Level is 710.
The following review of the book comes from Publisher's Weekly:
"In an intimate biography of AndyWarhol, "Prince of Pop, King of Cool," Christensen spans a 30-year period—from the artist's upbringing in Pittsburgh to the height of his popularity in the 1960s—emphasizing a self-made rags-to-riches ascent. From early influences (religious icons, celebrities, comic books) and obstacles (including a disease that "caused muscle spasms and permanently blotchy skin" and relentless teasing) to his transition from commercial art to pop artist extraordinaire, Christensen's informal prose and heavily textured oil paintings, composed over photo collages, depict a man constantly absorbing everything around him and incorporating it into his art in a way that shocked and delighted the world. An author's note and a time line provide further detail into Warhol's later life." (Reviewed June 13, 2011) (Publishers Weekly, vol 258, issue 24, p)
The following review of the book comes from Publisher's Weekly:
"In an intimate biography of AndyWarhol, "Prince of Pop, King of Cool," Christensen spans a 30-year period—from the artist's upbringing in Pittsburgh to the height of his popularity in the 1960s—emphasizing a self-made rags-to-riches ascent. From early influences (religious icons, celebrities, comic books) and obstacles (including a disease that "caused muscle spasms and permanently blotchy skin" and relentless teasing) to his transition from commercial art to pop artist extraordinaire, Christensen's informal prose and heavily textured oil paintings, composed over photo collages, depict a man constantly absorbing everything around him and incorporating it into his art in a way that shocked and delighted the world. An author's note and a time line provide further detail into Warhol's later life." (Reviewed June 13, 2011) (Publishers Weekly, vol 258, issue 24, p)
'ABC Pop!' is a great introduction to Pop Art for readers aged 9-12. This nonfiction title, written by Rachel Isadora, includes illustrations of each letter of the alphabet represented in pop art style. The writing style includes a minimal use of text, and the illustrations are colorful. This would make a great read-aloud text for younger readers.
The following review comes from Kirkus Reviews:
Pop art has a lot of built-in appeal: swathes of color that nearly vibrate in their intensity; unambiguous shapes and lines; forms reduced and flattened into vivid patterns. Isadora has taken these tenets and produced an homage to pop art--to the works of Roy Lichtenstein above all others--in an alphabet book that is at once both retro and moder. The text is minimal, with one letter represented by one word through the alphabet. The palette of images, however, is eye-catching and bears multiple viewings gracefully. Some letters have double-page spreads, such as "T Train" with its gleaming gray Santa Fe engine in the orange desert with a huge sun, a lemon-yellow sky, and green saguaros. Others, such as "K Kitchen" are a series of small cropped views on a single page: readers glimpse the spout of a red kettle, most of a green toaster, a bisected view of dishwashing detergent. Occasionally, a single image fills the page, as in the playing card for "Q Queen." The pages are satisfying, visually stimulating, and fun. (Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 1999)
The following review comes from Kirkus Reviews:
Pop art has a lot of built-in appeal: swathes of color that nearly vibrate in their intensity; unambiguous shapes and lines; forms reduced and flattened into vivid patterns. Isadora has taken these tenets and produced an homage to pop art--to the works of Roy Lichtenstein above all others--in an alphabet book that is at once both retro and moder. The text is minimal, with one letter represented by one word through the alphabet. The palette of images, however, is eye-catching and bears multiple viewings gracefully. Some letters have double-page spreads, such as "T Train" with its gleaming gray Santa Fe engine in the orange desert with a huge sun, a lemon-yellow sky, and green saguaros. Others, such as "K Kitchen" are a series of small cropped views on a single page: readers glimpse the spout of a red kettle, most of a green toaster, a bisected view of dishwashing detergent. Occasionally, a single image fills the page, as in the playing card for "Q Queen." The pages are satisfying, visually stimulating, and fun. (Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 1999)
The following video is just under five minutes long, and provides a basic introduction to Pop Art, with many references to the life and work of Andy Warhol. There is minimal text and the information is presented in an easy to understand way for young viewers.
Krazy for Kandinsky
This fun project was inspired by Wassily Kandinsky's 'Squares with Concentric Circles.' Inexpensive, recycled materials are incorporated to create unique designs and patterns in this introduction to Kandinsky and Modern Art. This blog features a list of materials, instructions and how-to photographs documenting the process.
Find the link here: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/03/kandinsky-circles-fine-art-inspired-kid-art.html
The website Making Art Fun has a brief profile of the artist can be found here: http://makingartfun.com/htm/f-maf-art-library/wassily-kandinski-biography.htm
This fun project was inspired by Wassily Kandinsky's 'Squares with Concentric Circles.' Inexpensive, recycled materials are incorporated to create unique designs and patterns in this introduction to Kandinsky and Modern Art. This blog features a list of materials, instructions and how-to photographs documenting the process.
Find the link here: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/03/kandinsky-circles-fine-art-inspired-kid-art.html
The website Making Art Fun has a brief profile of the artist can be found here: http://makingartfun.com/htm/f-maf-art-library/wassily-kandinski-biography.htm
This biography of Wassily Kandinsky was published in 2002, and was written by Paul Flux. It is appropriate for children ages 9-12, and is part of the 'Life and Work of --' series. It presents a brief overview of the life and work of this Russian artist, describing and giving examples of his work.
The following lesson plan, created by Charlotte E. Broxon, is aimed at students grades K-8, and will introduce children to art historical aspects of Kandinsky. Students will expore the expressive qualities of line and color through the study of Wassily Kandinsky. They will also become more familiar with the painting process, as well as different kinds of colors and lines.
Find this lesson plan here: http://www.kinderart.com/arthistory/kandinsky.shtml
The following lesson plan, created by Charlotte E. Broxon, is aimed at students grades K-8, and will introduce children to art historical aspects of Kandinsky. Students will expore the expressive qualities of line and color through the study of Wassily Kandinsky. They will also become more familiar with the painting process, as well as different kinds of colors and lines.
Find this lesson plan here: http://www.kinderart.com/arthistory/kandinsky.shtml
Mondrian, Minimalist Art and More!
This lesson plan from Scholastic features a detailed activity using duct tape to recreate famous works of Minimalist art from Minimalist and Abstract artists such as Sol LeWitt, Piet Mondrian, Josef Albers, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Agnes Martin and many others. This project could be adapted for many different grade levels.
Introducing famous art pieces from these artists prior to the creation of the students' own creations could help to inspire creativity and to give students a better sense of what they are trying to accomplish.
Find the lesson plan here:
http://www.scholastic.com/ducktapeart/pdf/dt_yr2_imagination_on_roll.pdf
This lesson plan from Scholastic features a detailed activity using duct tape to recreate famous works of Minimalist art from Minimalist and Abstract artists such as Sol LeWitt, Piet Mondrian, Josef Albers, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Agnes Martin and many others. This project could be adapted for many different grade levels.
Introducing famous art pieces from these artists prior to the creation of the students' own creations could help to inspire creativity and to give students a better sense of what they are trying to accomplish.
Find the lesson plan here:
http://www.scholastic.com/ducktapeart/pdf/dt_yr2_imagination_on_roll.pdf
Coppernickel Goes Mondrian is a work of fiction by Wouter Van Reek, and is appropriate for ages 0-8.
Read the following review from BookList:
"Relegating specific biographical details to the afterword, van Reek pays tribute to the spirit of painter Piet Mondrian by focusing on his quest to catch up with the future. The tale features two anthropomorphic birds with small canine sidekicks. Energized by a brief encounter with aptly named, smock-clad Mr. Quickstep (standing in for Mondrian), Coppernickel (introduced in Coppernickel: The Invention, 2008) and four-legged Tungsten follow behind—first through increasingly abstract landscapes in which tree branches transform in stages into knots of faux Asian-style script and then through a jazz-age city whose busy, geometric subways and skyscrapers presage the flashy abstractions of the artist’s mature work. Quickstep’s own dog, Foxtrot, makes the final historical connection by spinning a platter of boogie-woogie that sprays from the record player in a cloud of square and rectangular chips of color and impels Quickstep (himself suddenly transformed into cubist blocks) to crow: “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! This is what the future looks like!” Some sophisticated themes and concepts, conveyed in text and pictures simple enough to draw fledgling readers." -- Peters, John (Reviewed 09-15-2012) (Booklist, vol 109, number 2)
Read the following review from BookList:
"Relegating specific biographical details to the afterword, van Reek pays tribute to the spirit of painter Piet Mondrian by focusing on his quest to catch up with the future. The tale features two anthropomorphic birds with small canine sidekicks. Energized by a brief encounter with aptly named, smock-clad Mr. Quickstep (standing in for Mondrian), Coppernickel (introduced in Coppernickel: The Invention, 2008) and four-legged Tungsten follow behind—first through increasingly abstract landscapes in which tree branches transform in stages into knots of faux Asian-style script and then through a jazz-age city whose busy, geometric subways and skyscrapers presage the flashy abstractions of the artist’s mature work. Quickstep’s own dog, Foxtrot, makes the final historical connection by spinning a platter of boogie-woogie that sprays from the record player in a cloud of square and rectangular chips of color and impels Quickstep (himself suddenly transformed into cubist blocks) to crow: “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! This is what the future looks like!” Some sophisticated themes and concepts, conveyed in text and pictures simple enough to draw fledgling readers." -- Peters, John (Reviewed 09-15-2012) (Booklist, vol 109, number 2)
Keith Haring & Pop Art
Explore the world of Pop Art in depth with the work of Keith Haring. Students will use aluminum foil to create their own figures in the style of Haring. This lesson plan outlines the materials, steps and instructions necessary for this fun project for all grade levels.
Find the lesson plan here: http://www.haringkids.com/lesson_plans/learn/painting-on-aluminum-foil
This tie-in lesson, brought to you for free by The Art of Education, is appropriate for grades 3-5, and covers the elements of space and proportion as students create negative space people, similar to the work of Haring. Find the lesson plan, including advanced options, here: http://www.theartofed.com/2013/02/22/negative-space-people-series-free-lesson-plan-download/
Further lesson plans, coloring pages and online games for students can also be found at the website, Haring For Kids: http://www.haringkids.com
Explore the world of Pop Art in depth with the work of Keith Haring. Students will use aluminum foil to create their own figures in the style of Haring. This lesson plan outlines the materials, steps and instructions necessary for this fun project for all grade levels.
Find the lesson plan here: http://www.haringkids.com/lesson_plans/learn/painting-on-aluminum-foil
This tie-in lesson, brought to you for free by The Art of Education, is appropriate for grades 3-5, and covers the elements of space and proportion as students create negative space people, similar to the work of Haring. Find the lesson plan, including advanced options, here: http://www.theartofed.com/2013/02/22/negative-space-people-series-free-lesson-plan-download/
Further lesson plans, coloring pages and online games for students can also be found at the website, Haring For Kids: http://www.haringkids.com
Robert Indiana & Book Art
This free lesson plan is offered by Dick Blick Art Supplies. It is appropriate for grades 5-12. Students will create a painted book in the style of Robert Indiana. This lesson plan challenges students to choose eight ideas that can be stated with one simple word, then assemble them into a painted book.
A field trip could be a tie-in activity wherein students would be taken to the Indianapolis Museum of art in Indianapolis, Indiana to view Robert Indiana's famous 'LOVE' sculpture, and his new exhibition there in 2014: http://www.imamuseum.org/exhibition/essential-robert-indiana
The following video could be used to introduce students to the artist, Robert Indiana:
This free lesson plan is offered by Dick Blick Art Supplies. It is appropriate for grades 5-12. Students will create a painted book in the style of Robert Indiana. This lesson plan challenges students to choose eight ideas that can be stated with one simple word, then assemble them into a painted book.
A field trip could be a tie-in activity wherein students would be taken to the Indianapolis Museum of art in Indianapolis, Indiana to view Robert Indiana's famous 'LOVE' sculpture, and his new exhibition there in 2014: http://www.imamuseum.org/exhibition/essential-robert-indiana
The following video could be used to introduce students to the artist, Robert Indiana: