TeachKidsArt

a resource for teachers & families

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Artist Birthdays
  • SHOP TPT
  • About
  • Contact
  • TIP Vault

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

By Cheryl Trowbridge 4 Comments

 Yesterday (March 2nd) we celebrated a very special birthday in our Kindergarten classes.... that of beloved children's author/illustrator, Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka "Dr. Seuss".  In his lifetime, Dr. Seuss published over 40 children's books which have inspired both reading and imagination for generations of children.  His birthday has fittingly been adopted as the date for the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crayon, Drawing, Famous Artists, Fantasy, Imagination, Lessons, Markers / Pen and Ink, Seuss, Dr. Tagged With: artist Dr. Seuss, books, imagination, There's a Wocket in My Pocket

Compass Mandalas

By Cheryl Trowbridge 8 Comments

The word "mandala" comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "circle" and has it's roots in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.  We know mandalas as circular designs with radial symmetry and repeating patterns.  Mandalas can be found today in a variety of cultures as well as in nature. (Ask students where they have seen circles, or patterns with circles, in nature or in man-made … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Non-representational), Drawing, Lessons, Markers / Pen and Ink, Math with Art Tagged With: markers, math, pattern

Designs with Number Patterns

By Cheryl Trowbridge 8 Comments

This lesson is adapted from a math activity my own kids did in middle school, where they used colored string to "stitch" their patterns on card stock.  I simplified this lesson for my students (4th grade and up), replacing the needle and thread with markers and a ruler....    Have you ever marveled at the fascinating patterns found in nature??   I like to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Lessons, Abstract (Non-representational), Abstract Design, Drawing, Markers / Pen and Ink, Math with Art, Middle School Art Tagged With: markers, math, pattern, string design, symmetry

Computer Art ala Picasso!

By Cheryl Trowbridge 7 Comments

There are so many ways to be creative with a computer!  Here's a site where you can click and drag to create your very own Picasso-like portrait. This would be a fun activity for students after learning about the real Picasso!  Be sure to check out this site's "gallery" to see the fun others have had at PicassoHead.com!1. Go to http://www.picassohead.com/create.html 2. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Representational), Art Games / Activities, Art Web Sites, Cubism, Digital / Computer, Drawing, People, Picasso, Pablo Tagged With: artist Pablo Picasso, computer art

Visual Texture

By Cheryl Trowbridge 1 Comment

This activity is great practice for learning to see values (lights and darks) and duplicate them in your drawings. Younger students may only have the patience to do two or three of these, while older students may want to do several more. Make sure you use the same pencil and the same paper for both the rubbings and the copies, or you'll have trouble duplicating the lightest … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Non-representational), Abstract Design, Drawing, Lessons, Pencil Tagged With: drawing, pencil, texture rubbing, value

Grade 3 Portfolios – The Shapes and Colors of Joy

By Cheryl Trowbridge 2 Comments

"Matthew's Dream", by Leo Lionni, is my inspiration for our third grade portfolio project. In this charming fable, a boy named Matthew visits the museum with his classmates and is entranced by the paintings he sees there. That night Matthew has a magical dream which helps him to see the world around him in a whole new way. He becomes a painter and creates beautiful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Non-representational), Abstract Design, Book Reviews, Books, Drawing, Lessons, Markers / Pen and Ink, Portfolios, Style Tagged With: abstract, books, Leo Lionni, portfolios

Grade 1 Portfolios – Design a Dot!

By Cheryl Trowbridge Leave a Comment

Every year, I start each of my Art classes by going over my "Art Rules".While this is review for most of my students, it never hurts to hear it again! And reading this book provides a great on-ramp to having this discussion! The Dot, by Peter Reynolds, has to be one of my favorite children's books of all time. If you only read one art-themed book to your students this year, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Non-representational), Abstract Design, Book Reviews, Books, Lessons, Painting, Portfolios, Watercolor Tagged With: Peter Reynolds, The Dot

Name Tangles

By Cheryl Trowbridge 8 Comments

"Name Tangles" are a fun way to create a cool design using your name or another word of your choice. Try adapting this idea for a unique greeting card design!Materials:9x12 white construction paperPencil and eraserBlack markers, fine and broad pointDirections:1. Use large stick letters to write your name, beginning with the first letter touching both the bottom and left side of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Representational), Drawing, Lessons, Markers / Pen and Ink, Names Tagged With: drawing, names, pattern, tangles

Cursive Cut-outs

By Cheryl Trowbridge 3 Comments

I posted this lesson awhile back as "Name Aliens", but I've since figured out a better way to teach this, so I improved the directions. As soon as kids can write their names in cursive, they're ready to create these whimsical creatures! To make "bugs", just add six legs instead of two! (Adapted from the book, "Paper Designs" by Jerome C. Brown)Can you guess what name this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Non-representational), Cutting, Lessons, Names, Paper Tagged With: names, symmetry

Stained Glass Name Designs

By Cheryl Trowbridge 4 Comments

This is a simple project, and a great introduction to the concept of positive and negative space for younger kids. Any project using their names is typically a guaranteed hit!!Materials:White paper, any sizePencil and eraserBlack chisel tip markersWater-based markers in a variety of colorsVocabulary:Positive Space - the object or objects you are drawing (in this case, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Abstract (Representational), Lessons, Lettering, Markers / Pen and Ink, Names Tagged With: markers, names, positive/negative space

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • …
  • 11
  • Next Page »

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Never Miss a Post - Follow by Email

Find a ** FREE ** Lesson (Below):

  • Lessons Inspired by Famous Artists
    • Britto, Romero
    • Burch, Laurel
    • Calder, Alexander
    • Carle, Eric
    • Cezanne, Paul
    • Chagall, Marc
    • Chihuly, Dale
    • Dali, Salvadore
    • Da Vinci, Leonardo
    • Delaunay, Robert & Sonia
    • Escher, M.C.
    • Goldsworthy, Andy
    • Haring, Keith
    • Johns, Jasper
    • Kahlo, Frida
    • Kandinsky, Wassily
    • Klee, Paul
    • Klimt, Gustave
    • Matisse, Henri
    • Miro, Joan
    • Mondrian, Piet
    • Monet, Claude
    • O’Keeffe, Georgia
    • Old Masters
    • Picasso, Pablo
    • Pollock, Jackson
    • Pompon, Francois
    • Posada, Jose
    • Remington, Frederick
    • Renoir, Auguste
    • Seurat, Georges
    • Seuss, Dr.
    • Van Gogh, Vincent
    • Van Honthorst, Gerard
    • Wood, Grant
  • Lessons by Holiday
    • 100th Day of School
    • Chinese New Year
    • Christmas
    • Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos
    • Earth Day
    • Easter
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • International Dot Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • New Years
    • Other
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Lessons by Culture
    • Africa
    • America
    • Chile
    • China
    • Europe
    • Haiti
    • Japan
    • Mexico
    • Middle East
  • Lessons by Process
    • 3D / Sculpture
    • Bookmaking
    • Calligraphy
    • Collage
    • Drawing
    • Embossing
    • Folding
    • Lettering
    • Micrography
    • Mosaic
    • Origami
    • Painting
    • Paper Cutting
    • Paper Folding
    • Printmaking
    • Quilling
    • Recycling with Art
    • Sketching
    • Stitching / Embroidery
    • Weaving
  • Lessons by Medium
    • Acrylic
    • Clay
    • Colored Pencil
    • Crayon
    • Digital / Computer
    • Fabric / Fiber
    • Markers / Pen and Ink
    • Mixed Media
    • Oil Pastel
    • Paper
    • Pencil
    • Tempera
    • Watercolor
  • Lessons by Style
    • Abstract (Non-representational)
    • Abstract (Representational)
    • Cartoon
    • Cubism
    • Expressionism
    • Fantasy
    • Impressionism
    • Op Art
    • Orphism
    • Pointillism
    • Pop Art
    • Post Impressionism
    • Realism
    • Surrealism
  • Lessons by Subject
    • Abstract Design
    • Animals
    • Birds
    • Buildings
    • Butterflies
    • Cityscape
    • Color / Color Mixing
    • Creatures / Monsters
    • Cross
    • Faith
    • Elements of Art
    • Fish / Marine Life
    • Flowers
    • Greeting Cards
    • Hearts
    • Imagination
    • Landscape
    • Mandalas
    • Masks
    • Math with Art
    • Misc. Subjects
    • Names
    • Nature
    • Ocean / Seascapes
    • People
    • Portraits / Self-Portraits
    • Religion
    • Quilts
    • Scripture
    • Seasons
    • Sky
    • snow
    • Stars
    • Still Life
    • Trees
    • Words / Letters
  • … and More!
    • Bulletin Boards & Displays
    • Classroom Management
    • Elements of Art
    • Imagination
    • Inspiration
    • Middle School Art
    • News & Announcements
    • Philosophy
    • Portfolios
    • Product Reviews
    • Quotes & Stories
    • Supplies / Products
    • Teacher Workshops
    • Tips for Teaching Art

Follow me on
Teachers Pay Teachers

Support Teach Kids Art When you shop Amazon.com

TEACH KIDS ART IS AN AMAZON AFFILIATE. I earn a small commission when you visit Amazon.com by clicking through my site and make a purchase of any kind. This supports Teach Kids Art at no extra cost to you.

Click here to shop Amazon.com!

Related Posts

  • A Creative Color Game for All Ages
  • An Engaging Art Museum Activity for Kids
  • TIP #66: 10 Ways to Save Money on Art Supplies for Kids
  • Better Paint Brush Habits for Kids
  • Review the Elements of Art with a Beachball Scavenger Hunt

Copyright © 2023 Cheryl Trowbridge / Teach Kids Art · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Design by Laugh Eat Learn



We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT