Back to School Art Lesson Name Art Project First Week Art Activity Name Tag Art

This Perspective Name Art Lesson helps students turn their name into bold artwork while learning one point perspective. Students draw large block letters, pull them toward a vanishing point, and build a finished composition with color and depth using pencil crayons and paint.

It works especially well for Grades 3 to 8 and suits classroom teachers, art teachers, homeschool educators and substitute teachers. Because it is personal and skill-building at the same time, it is a great back-to-school or getting-to-know-you project, and the finished pieces look striking on a bulletin board or at open house.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (40 PAGES, NON-EDITABLE)

• Lesson Plan outlining the lesson focus, materials, big ideas, competencies and teaching flow
• Step-by-Step Art Tutorial for building the perspective name art from start to finish
• Handouts, including a step-by-step draw page for students
• Rubric for project criteria, creativity, process and responsibility
• Example of Finished Artwork to use as your hook
• Display Sign for showcasing student work

Materials needed: pencil, eraser, black felt and black felt marker, card stock or watercolor paper, pencil crayons, watercolor or paint cakes, a paintbrush and water.

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

Students practice one point perspective and vanishing point drawing, depth and space, line and shape, value and color, and mixed media, while expressing themselves through their own name. They print their name in block letters, pull perspective lines to a single point, and build a scene around the design. The sample finished piece includes mountains, trees and a dramatic perspective effect.

HOW TO USE IT

Project the tutorial pages, print the handouts, and show the example artwork before students begin. Use the lesson plan and rubric to guide teaching and assessment. It fits the first weeks of school, your regular art curriculum, name art displays, open house or meet the teacher, homeschool portfolios and sub plans.

FAQ

What grades is this for?

It works especially well for Grades 3 to 8.

What do students make?

Perspective name art: their name in block letters connected to a single vanishing point, with a finished composition in color and mixed media around it.

How long does this lesson take?

Usually 2 to 3 class periods, depending on student age, skill level and class time.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★★ “I love using your resources! They are easy to follow and all the projects regardless of the student's art skills look great!!” BERNADINE A.

★★★★★ “Great! Very clear directions!” Lisa F.

★★★★★ “Fun activity for the first week.” Lyndsay B.

★★★★★ “My students have enjoyed this project during the first two weeks. Looking forward to hanging them up for BTSN! Thank you!” Jade M.

★★★★★ “easy to use” Caroline C.

★★★★★ “great resource” Cece K.

★★★★★ “These were great to put up for Open House! Thanks!” Lisa B.

★★★★ “They turned out well! Have gotten quite a few compliments on the artworks!” Michelle S.

★★★★ “This was a great back to school activity for students! There was a high level of interest and they were highly successful.” Jessica M.

★★★★ “Fun and engaging art activity for the start of the year!” Hillary V.

★★★★ “My students loved this resource and were easily able to follow along with the instructions/examples provided.” Mlee P.

★★★★ “amazingly organized and provides students with step by step instructions. Fantastic resource” Kaitlyn G.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist, educator and resource creator who has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured educator on the cover of the October 2025 edition of OCO Magazine. She designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use the images as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations, and use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic