Classroom resources
Explore first grade art projects for drawing, cutting, constructing and expressing ideas. Choose manageable materials and projects that leave room for children’s choices.
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Discuss a reference photograph (colors, lines, ladybug positioning), then cut and paste construction-paper pieces (grass, ladybug body/antenna parts) onto cardstock to create a landscape scene; sign the finished artwork.
Students watch a video about Cezanne, discuss what they learned with a neighbor, practice painting apples (at least one) with an abstract background, compare their work to example excellent/good/poor student work, and select their best piece.
Here is art project and presentation about the work of Jacob Lawrence. Students will learn how to create a collage of a busy city using geometric shapes, the layering process and oil pastels. This lesson includes a detailed 25-slide PowerPoint presentation packed with information about Jacob Lawrence and his paintings…
Discuss the look of hyacinth flowers, mix paint to create three shades of blue, paint a stem and leaves with a brush, finger-paint hyacinth flowers by dabbing paint (using light blue for highlighted/sun-facing areas and dark blue for shaded areas), sign the artwork, and complete an 'About My Drawing' reflection sheet.
Color the bird template pieces (wing, eye, beak, tail feathers, body), trim along bold outlines, and glue the pieces together using the picture aid as an example; optionally decorate further with craft materials; then draw and color a picture of the finished craft on a reflection page; a separate bird coloring page is…
Students complete hands-on art projects (painting, cutting/pasting, printmaking, mask-making, etc.) modeled on activities inspired by artists such as Kandinsky, Mondrian, Picasso, Miro, and Hokusai, using provided templates for some activities.
For each letter of their name/word, roll a die three times (letter shape, design element, and line pattern) to build a decorated letter, then outline the whole word, break the page into sections, fill sections with patterns or color, and color the final artwork.
Print the crown template on cardstock (choice of a version to color, Option 1, or a version without coloring instructions noted, Option 2), color it (Option 1), cut it out, measure it to a headband strip, and glue or staple the strip to the crown to wear.
Follow teacher-led art lessons to create craft/drawing/painting projects (e.g., beach umbrella, chameleon, banana split, life cycle diagram, balloon faces, swimming fish, monsters, hot air balloons, tissue box craft, bug on a leaf, guitar drawing, caterpillar, clown, day/night scene) and complete related…
Students go on an outdoor scavenger hunt for natural shapes/items, then use collected materials (e.g., rocks) to complete craft projects such as a rock caterpillar.
Follow numbered step-by-step directions to complete each craft project (e.g. glue colored sand onto cardboard to make a sand painting; build a paper-strip sculpture; decorate a shoe box as a treasure box); count blocks in a sculpture counting activity; color pictures; draw a favorite treasure.
Color or use as a base for a more intricate art project the provided forest/boreal habitat and rabbit illustrations and their lightened outline (template) versions.
Provide a collage-based art project where students create a whimsical/silly pet portrait, aimed at fine motor skill development.
The same desert illustrations are supplied in two outline treatments. Use the darker line art for coloring, or choose the lightened version when students will build on the drawing with added detail or other art materials. This lets a class use a shared subject while varying how much of the finished artwork students create themselves.
Print the crown template on cardstock, color and cut out the crown (two options: a pre-colored version and a black-and-white version for coloring), then glue or staple a headband strip to size to wear.
Follow numbered step-by-step instructions to make crafts (a crayon/tape stencil design, watercolor coffee-filter butterflies) using materials like masking tape, crayons, cardboard, and watercolor paints; also color a rainbow using a shown color key.
Use wetland scenes for coloring or as a starting point for a larger art project. Twelve illustrations appear as standard line art and again as lighter outlines. Choose the version that suits the materials students will use, and connect the scene with a discussion of habitats. The two treatments offer different levels of visual guidance while keeping the subject familiar.
follow along with hands-on projects: make science-style concoctions (goop, slime, bubbles, crystals, etc.), make their own art supplies (dough, glue, paint, invisible ink, etc.), and build simple contraptions from everyday items
The same ten rainforest illustrations appear in two forms. Use the darker line art for coloring, or choose the lighter outlines when students will develop the image with their own drawing, painting, or mixed-media details. Comparing the two versions can help students decide how much of the printed outline they want to show.
Follow numbered picture steps to create marble-painted pictures, a tissue-paper collage, a cut-and-paste collage, and sponge-printed gift wrap; also complete two matching/drawing activities (mixing colors, which prints).
Follow numbered step-by-step instructions to make crafts (a pasta necklace, a cut-and-paste picture frame, a family tree drawing, a giant paper person cutout) using materials like string, pasta, construction paper, glue, and yarn; also color a pasta-pattern page to complete a repeating pattern.
A one-page candy cane paper craft project that has students color, cut, and assemble craft pieces into a candy cane character, then draw/reflect on their creation.
Doodles and Oodles of Art: An Inspiring Resource for Students' Creativity Doodles and Oodles of Art offers a comprehensive compilation of over one hundred art ideas. It invigorates the creative spirit in students and is perfect for educators in search of inspiring art activities.