Elementary Lesson Plans

What’s Your Story Zine Project

Welcome to the world of storytelling through zines! In this captivating lesson tailored for 4th graders, young artists will embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery and creativity as they write and illustrate their own personal stories in the form of zines. Through this hands-on activity, students will develop their narrative writing skills, artistic abilities, and self-expression while celebrating their unique experiences and identities.

The objective of this lesson is to empower 4th graders to craft and share personal narratives through the medium of zines. By engaging in this activity, students will enhance their writing and artistic skills, deepen their understanding of storytelling techniques, and cultivate a sense of pride in their own stories and identities.

By the end of this lesson, artists will have not only crafted their own unique zines but also honed their storytelling skills, developed their artistic abilities, and gained a deeper appreciation for the power of personal narratives. Through this creative and reflective activity, students will have celebrated their individuality and connected with their peers through the sharing of their stories.

Solar Eclipse

Immerse your students in the magic of solar eclipses with our engaging lesson, "Solar Eclipse Art: Exploring Light and Shadow." Through hands-on experimentation with black construction paper, oil pastels, and circle resists, students will not only craft captivating artworks but also deepen their understanding of celestial phenomena.

Beginning with an introduction to solar eclipses, students learn about the intricate dance between the Earth, moon, and sun that results in these rare events. Guided through the circle resists technique, students then translate their newfound knowledge into vibrant artworks, exploring the interplay of light and shadow to create stunning representations of solar eclipses. Through reflection and discussion, students articulate their insights and celebrate their creative accomplishments, leaving the lesson with a deeper appreciation for the beauty of science and art intertwined.

Make Your Own Souvenir

What does a Souvenir do? A Souvenir is a picture or a trinket that helps remind us of a fun trip taken. What would a souvenir look like from your neighborhood? In this two day lesson plan students will collect items from around their home that will be made into a Souvenir, that will remind them of their favorite parts of their neighborhood. When the Students have finished their personal Souvenir the class will collage each students object to make a Souvenir of Chicago.

stained glass

In this spring time lesson, students will embark on an artistic journey inspired by the captivating world of stained glass, drawing inspiration from the visionary artist Edgar Miller. Through hands-on exploration, children will delve into the mesmerizing interplay of color, shape, and light, as they create their own stunning stained glass-inspired masterpieces. When their works are complete they will be displayed on the windows of their art classroom for their peers to see.

Making a kinetic sound spinner

Inspired by Nick Cave’s Kinetic Spinner Forrest, students will present their own kinetic sound spinners.  They will identify what objects, when activated, will make sound and the importance of making sound. By the end of the lesson students will be able to recall the words kinetic, found object, pattern and Spinner and show where it is used in their work. Students will be combining found paper, wire and “special sound” objects to create their kinetic sculptures.