The BEST Back to School Art Lessons & Projects for Elementary
It is already that time of year for teachers and homeschoolers to get planning. One of the biggest questions I am asked is “What art lessons should I teach in the first weeks of school?” Today I am going to answer that question and give you the BEST Back to School Art Lessons & Projects for Elementary!
Start with a Scope and Sequence for the Year!
Now before we get into the nitty gritty of planning for the first week and getting into those specific details, I like to get a general overview of what art lessons I will be teaching each month. This is like your view of what you will teach from 30,000 feet! This is called your scope and sequence: what you are going to teach, and in what order you will teach it. If you’re looking to impress an administrator, or are going to a job interview, have this ready to go.
I like to set up a google doc (or use a piece of paper) and write out what I am going to teach each month for the grades I am teaching art to. If you are a classroom teacher or parent, this will be quicker as you aren’t teaching as many grades, but if you are an art teacher, this is especially important as you need to think about ALL the grades you’re teaching art to, plus you should also try to align the art mediums to be similar each month to make it way easier on yourself in terms of prep. For example, September everyone explores felt marker painting, then in October everyone explores Oil Pastels, etc. That way you don’t have to change out art mediums between grades!
If you are looking for a Scope and Sequence, I do have one that is pre-made for Pre-K to Grade 8 that also has First Week of School activities included for FREE that you can download instantly! You can grab my scope and sequence by clicking here.
International Dot Day Art Lessons
If you’re looking for something that is fitting for back to school and includes themes of experimentation and growth mindset that will allow kids to build their confidence while exploring a range of art mediums, then you should definitely do some art for International Dot Day which is every year on September 15th.
This one you can easily mark your calendars for! Prep an art lesson for this in either the end of August or beginning of September, and read the book by Peter H. Reynolds called “The Dot”. Next, have your students “make a mark and see where it takes them”! If you don’t have the book yet, I would definitely grab it and add it to your teaching collection (because you can do a dot day art lesson every year! So plan it once, well, and be planned forever). You can grab the book “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds by clicking here.
I suggest providing your students with a range of different art mediums and supplies and let them explore without guidance. Literally follow the theme of the story which is to make a mark and see where it takes you! Dim your classroom lights, put on some music, and then let kids create. You can take this time to float around, memorize names, sit with kids at tables and make your own dot and chit chat and get to know them, build connections (essential for BTS!), and create relationships. This is also great formative assessment!
Don’t forget to tie in your Growth Mindset themes with this lesson. Talk about how kids can approach art with the power of yet! “I don’t know how to draw… YET!” (for example). This is a great time to review Growth Mindset VS Fixed Mindset in art!
If you need a ready-made Dot Day Art Lesson, I have an art resource for that which includes 2 fully prepped PowerPoint art tutorials for dot day, 3 writing prompt activities, a reading comprehension, Growth Mindset Review, your lesson plan, and all your assessment done!
If you would like to check it out, click here!
Elementary Art Sketchbooks
There is nothing more powerful than having sketchbooks in your classroom! Sketchbooks are more than just a place for drawing—they are safe, personal spaces where students can express themselves freely and authentically. In a world full of tests, rubrics, and “right answers,” sketchbooks offer a rare opportunity for kids to explore their inner thoughts and creative ideas without fear of being judged. When you carve out regular time for sketchbook work in your classroom, you’re creating a space where imagination, reflection, and personal growth are not only welcomed, but celebrated.
Because sketchbooks belong to the student, they become deeply personal journeys of self-discovery. It’s where young artists can play with ideas, experiment with materials, and dive deep into their identities—whether they’re exploring what makes them happy, documenting their dreams, or processing emotions through drawing. Every page becomes a visual diary, a space where mistakes are part of the process and ideas don’t have to be perfect. Students learn that risk-taking is a strength, not a flaw, and that their voices matter—whether loud and colorful or quiet and subtle.
This kind of creative freedom is essential not just for developing art skills, but for building confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. Sketchbooks teach kids that their thoughts have value, and that creating doesn’t always need to be for an audience—it can be just for them. In a busy classroom, this quiet act of reflection and creation becomes a powerful tool for connection, identity-building, and emotional well-being. When we give students ownership of a sketchbook, we’re giving them permission to be themselves—and that’s where real learning begins.
Sketchbooks are essential in the classroom because they give students a safe, personal space to explore their ideas, express emotions, and experiment without fear of judgment. Unlike structured assignments, sketchbooks allow for creative freedom and self-reflection, helping kids develop confidence, voice, and artistic risk-taking. They’re not just for drawing—they’re tools for identity-building, mindfulness, and meaningful learning. Whether students are processing their day, practicing skills, or simply playing with ideas, sketchbooks offer a consistent space where creativity can thrive and grow throughout the year.
If you need a fully planned sketchbook program that is designed for elementary students, with all your set-up pages, assessment, interactive pages, and 30 Prompts with visual examples in both poster and glue-into-sketchbook formats, then click here to grab it!
Teach the Elements of Art in Elementary!
Teaching the Elements of Art in elementary school is essential because it gives students the foundational language they need to understand, talk about, and create art. Just like we teach the alphabet before reading and writing, introducing the Elements of Art—line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space—builds the skills and confidence kids need to explore the visual world. These elements show up everywhere in both natural and manmade environments, and once students can identify and use them, their ability to express themselves visually expands in meaningful, exciting ways.
For young learners, it’s important to introduce the elements in a scaffolded, thoughtful order. I recommend starting with line and shape, as they are the building blocks for drawing and composition. Next, explore color and value—these allow students to bring depth and emotion into their work. Once those are solid, move into texture and space, encouraging students to create more complex, detailed pieces. Finally, teach form, where they can begin applying their knowledge of shape and space to create more dimensional, sculptural work. This order allows for a natural progression from simple to complex, helping students build skills and confidence as they go.
The beauty of teaching the elements is that it offers endless opportunities for exploration and personal expression. Students learn how to look closely at the world around them and then reinterpret it in their own unique way. It also gives structure to your art program, making planning easier and your instruction more intentional. Whether kids are drawing with pencil, painting with watercolor, or experimenting with mixed media, understanding the Elements of Art empowers them to take risks, reflect on their work, and grow as artists.
If you want to make this process easy, exciting, and low-prep, I’ve created a complete, ready-to-teach curriculum: 60 Art Lessons to Teach the 7 Elements of Art All Year Long. This resource includes 60 lessons aligned to each of the 7 Elements of Art, plus visual examples, step-by-step instructions, printable worksheets, sketchbook tasks, and full art projects. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, at home, or need engaging sub plans, this flexible curriculum will support your students while helping you feel organized, confident, and ready to dive into a full year of creative learning.
Make Name Art for Back to School!
Kick off the school year with a creative twist by having students design their own name art for a stunning back-to-school display! This is the perfect identity-building project to help students feel seen and celebrated right from day one. Plus, it makes a fabulous feature for your Meet the Teacher Night, Open House, or hallway bulletin board. Students can explore lines and patterns while turning their names into bold, expressive works of art—and you’ll gain an instant classroom gallery that reflects your vibrant community of learners. It’s a simple, meaningful way to combine creativity with connection.
Want a ready-made version to make your first week easy and impactful? Check out my Back to School Name Art Project that teaches the Element of Art: Line while celebrating student identity. This resource includes step-by-step visuals, bubble letter guides, rubrics, and line pattern inspiration—everything you need to teach with confidence and ease. Whether you’re in a classroom, on a cart, or teaching from home, it’s a low-prep, high-engagement lesson students will love. 👉 Grab it here
Back to School Art Challenge Cards
If you’re looking to kick off your year with flexible, low-prep art activities that still pack a creative punch, these 40 Back to School Art Lesson Challenge Cards are a must-have. Designed to reinforce key art skills, Elements of Art, and creative thinking strategies, these half-page prompts are perfect for building routines while giving students space to experiment and express themselves. They’re ideal for setting expectations around artmaking, reviewing concepts, and encouraging risk-taking in a fun, stress-free format—whether you’re easing into your curriculum or just getting to know your students’ artistic voices.
Use these versatile cards in so many ways: as daily warm-ups, sketchbook tasks, exit tickets, centers, sub plans, early finisher activities, or even art homework. They’re perfect to pair with your other back-to-school projects or to use as standalone practice to build independence and confidence. With 40 creative challenges, you’ll have more than enough to get through the first month of school with ease. 👉 Grab them here
Teach Color Theory during Back to School
Teaching Color Theory at the beginning of the school year is a smart and creative way to ease students back into learning while setting the foundation for everything they’ll do in art class. Color is fun, expressive, and immediately engaging—making it the perfect hook for those early weeks when students are still transitioning into routines. By introducing the basics of the color wheel right away, you give students the tools they need to create with intention, vocabulary to talk about their work, and confidence to experiment with paints and materials all year long.
There are so many exciting and age-appropriate ways to explore color in your classroom. Start with simple hands-on mixing activities to explore primary and secondary colors, then move into creating personalized color wheels or even color monsters that match different moods. For early finishers or extra centers, try warm and cool color challenges, complementary color pop art, or have students draw an object in both realistic and monochromatic palettes. These types of projects encourage creative decision-making while reinforcing visual concepts.
Color theory is also a powerful entry point for identity-building and emotional learning. Have students explore their favorite color and why it represents them, or create abstract art that uses warm or cool tones to express how they’re feeling about the new school year. It’s a low-pressure, high-engagement way to connect art to emotion and self-reflection—while gently weaving in essential art vocabulary like hue, tint, tone, and shade.
If you’re ready to start the year strong with a no-prep, highly engaging resource, check out my Color Wheel & Color Theory Workbook and Art Lessons: Grab it here. This all-in-one bundle includes workbook pages, reflection tools, hands-on painting lessons, and a full color theory presentation (both PowerPoint and MP4 format for easy sub days!). Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, online, or homeschooling, this flexible and comprehensive resource will help your students develop a deep understanding of color while having fun and building confidence.
Back to School Line Art!
Start the year with bold creativity using this Back to School Glue Bottle Line Art Project—a colorful and fun way to introduce students to the Element of Art: Line while celebrating their return to school! This engaging lesson blends art and literacy with a reading comprehension passage, reflective writing prompts, and a vibrant line art activity where students design their own expressive glue bottle using felt markers. It’s perfect for building classroom community, teaching expressive line techniques, and getting students excited about creating from day one.
With step-by-step instructions, visual examples, and ready-to-use PowerPoint slides, this lesson is stress-free to implement—whether you’re in a traditional classroom, homeschool setting, or leaving plans for a substitute. Use it as a first-week icebreaker, All About Me activity, or as an eye-catching back-to-school bulletin board display. Students will explore color, pattern, and texture while building confidence and showing off their unique personalities. 👉 Grab the lesson here and get ready to kick off the year with creativity and color!
Develop an Art Curriculum if You’re an Art Teacher
Planning a strong K–5 art curriculum starts with identifying the key concepts you want your students to walk away with by the end of each year. I recommend organizing your year around the Elements of Art—line, shape, color, form, value, texture, and space—while weaving in a balance of art-making processes, cultural connections, and opportunities for self-expression. Begin by mapping out the year by month and assigning one or two elements or themes to each month. For example, in September you might focus on Line and Pattern with a back-to-school identity project, and in October move into Shape and Space through fall or Halloween-themed art.
From there, break it down by grade level. Kindergarten should explore the elements through playful, process-based experiences—think collage, color mixing, and drawing with bold lines. As you go up each grade, build on prior knowledge. By Grade 3, students can begin learning basic shading, overlapping for depth, and intentional use of color schemes. By Grade 5, students should be creating more complex compositions that reflect an understanding of multiple elements, incorporating themes like symbolism or emotion. Keep lessons short, skill-building, and creative. I always recommend mixing media throughout the year—markers, paint, pastel, paper collage, and even sculpture where possible.
To make planning easier, create a “core lesson bank” for each grade with go-to projects that align with each element. For example, a Line project might be a zen doodle or name art design. A Texture project could be an animal collage using rubbing plates or textured paper. Once you’ve built your lesson bank, plug each one into your month-by-month plan, and rotate in seasonal or cultural themes to keep it fresh and relevant. Add sketchbook time weekly or biweekly for reflection, drawing prompts, or idea development. Always allow flexibility for unexpected events, and include 1–2 buffer weeks per term for catch-up or choice days.
If you’d like a fully done-for-you K–5 Art Curriculum that takes care of all the planning, prep, and stress, I’ve created a complete Kindergarten to Grade 5 Art Curriculum Bundle: Grab it here. This bundle includes full Elements of Art units for each grade level, seasonal and themed art projects, artist studies, and art history explorations. You’ll also get lesson plans, rubrics, step-by-step visuals, assessments, and reflection tools—all organized and ready to go. Whether you’re an art specialist or a classroom teacher wearing multiple hats, this resource gives you everything you need to teach art all year with confidence and creativity.
And if you’re looking for even more support, access to hundreds of art lessons and videos, and a thriving community of art educators, consider joining the Artastic Collective Art Curriculum Membership: Join here. This membership gives you a complete K–9 art curriculum library, monthly planning guides, new lessons added each month, and exclusive member bonuses. It’s the easiest way to stay inspired, plan faster, and feel supported as you teach meaningful art lessons all year long.
Conclusion
Planning art lessons for back to school is more than just filling time—it’s about setting the tone for your entire year. The projects you choose in those first few weeks help build classroom community, introduce key routines, and lay the foundation for creativity, confidence, and connection. Back to school art should be low-pressure, high-engagement, and full of opportunities for students to express who they are. Whether you’re focusing on identity with a name art project, introducing color theory or the elements of art, or simply giving kids a chance to create and connect, the goal is to spark joy and make your art room feel like a safe, welcoming space from day one. With a little thoughtful planning (and a dash of Ms Artastic magic), you can launch your art program in a way that inspires students and sets you up for a strong, creative year ahead.
Recommendations:
If you’re looking for resources to help you plan or teach either at home or in your classroom, then check out these resources to help you get ahead!
🖌️Streamline your lesson planning! Get on the waitlist for the Artastic Collective Art Curriculum, a treasure trove of resources designed to empower art educators: https://www.artasticcollective.com/membership
✏️Sharpen your teaching skills! Join the Art Teacher Academy for professional development specifically designed for art educators: https://www.artasticcollective.com/artteacheracademy
🖍️Need engaging art lessons? Explore the Art Project Membership library to find creative resources for Teachers and Homeschooling Families: https://www.artasticcollective.com/artproject
RECOMMENDATIONS:
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