Art Lesson planning for elementary students can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when it sparks creativity and gets kids excited about art. But it can also be challenging and time-consuming to design Art Units that not only entertain, but also engage, teach, and inspire our young artists. Here are my five key components of an awesome art unit for kids:
ANALYZING ARTWORK
An important part of any elementary art unit is giving students the chance to look at famous artworks and learn about different artists. This not only helps them see how artists from all over the world express ideas and emotions but also opens their eyes to the many ways art can be created. When kids take the time to explore well-known paintings or sculptures, they start to notice details like how the artist uses color or shapes. It’s like opening up a whole new world where they can start thinking about what the artwork means and how it makes them feel. Plus, learning about a variety of artists from different backgrounds helps them appreciate art as something everyone can do!
ART THEORY
Another fun part of an art unit is introducing an Element of Art or Principle of Design. These are the building blocks of all artwork! Whether it’s talking about color, line, or balance, students start to understand how these concepts come together to make art interesting. For example, when we focus on color, students can experiment with mixing shades and creating moods in their artwork. By breaking down these concepts, students feel empowered to try new things, giving them a stronger foundation to explore their creativity.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Giving students time to practice and explore different art materials is so important! This is where the real magic happens as they test out new skills, techniques, and materials. Practice builds confidence, and students learn that it’s okay to make mistakes. Trying out different materials and tools helps them discover what they enjoy working with, and they become more comfortable expressing themselves through art.
THE ART PROJECT
The best part of the art unit is when students take everything they’ve learned and create a final project. This is where their creativity really shines! They get to put together all the techniques and ideas they’ve explored, making something that’s completely their own. By using their newfound skills along with their personal ideas and imagination, students create artworks that are creative and meaningful.
REVIEW AND REFLECTION
Finally, it’s so helpful to take some time to look back and reflect on the entire art-making process. Reviewing key concepts and talking about their final artwork helps students realize how much they’ve learned. It’s also a great opportunity for them to share what they liked about their project, what challenges they faced, and what they might want to try differently next time. This kind of reflection not only deepens their understanding but also encourages them to keep growing and experimenting as artists!
Want to see an example of a complete Art Unit for kids with these 5 components? You can check out my units here:
Comments