Poppy Art Lesson Remembrance Day Art Memorial Day Art Project Writing Reading

This Poppy Art Lesson is a cross-curricular art project for Remembrance Day or Memorial Day that teaches symbolism, color theory and creative expression. Students explore the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, courage and peace, then follow a step-by-step drawing and oil pastel process on red or black construction paper.

It is a no-prep lesson for Grades 2 to 5 that combines art, reading and writing. Project the visual step-by-steps, demonstrate the process, or print pages for independent or guided artmaking. It suits the classroom, the art room and homeschool.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)

• Complete lesson plan for Grades 2 to 5
• Visual and written step-by-step instructions for projection or demo, including a PDF and PowerPoint step-by-step art tutorial
• Teacher guide with background history, symbolism, discussion prompts and anchor chart ideas
• Student reading comprehension about Remembrance Day and Memorial Day, with questions and answer keys
• Writing activities: opinion writing, reflective responses and artist statements
• Art rubric, reflection templates and vocabulary supports
• Warm-up art challenge page and KWL charts
• "Lest We Forget" bulletin board display signs
• Additional drawing and art activities for extended learning and fast finishers

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

Students explore the symbolism of the red poppy and its connection to remembrance and peace. They build fine motor skills, composition and color blending, and learn how artists communicate emotion and meaning through color and texture. The reading, writing and reflection pages ask them to think about peace, gratitude and sacrifice.

To teach it, project the step-by-step drawing instructions or model each stage as students follow along, and discuss the meaning of the poppy using the reading and writing prompts. Students blend color and texture for contrast, then display their artwork with their artist statements and reflections. It fits Remembrance Day or Veterans Day lessons, Memorial Day art and literacy, social-emotional learning, homeschool co-ops and ceremony displays.

FAQ

What grade levels is this best for?

It is designed for Grades 2 to 5 and can be adapted for older elementary or middle school students with deeper discussions and additional writing.

Can I teach this as a one-day lesson?

Yes. The main art portion can be completed in one 45 to 60 minute session, or you can extend it over 2 to 3 days to include the reading, writing and reflection activities.

What materials do I need?

Oil pastels, red or black construction paper, and optional white or yellow for highlights. All templates and written activities are included.

Can this be used for both Remembrance Day and Memorial Day?

Yes. The readings, vocabulary and activities cover both holidays, so it works for classrooms in Canada, the U.K. and the U.S.

How can I display the final artwork?

Pair the finished poppies with artist statements or writing reflections and create a "Lest We Forget" gallery wall or classroom display.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist and educator who has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured educator on the cover of OCO Magazine (October 2025). 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 this resource for classroom, homeschool or personal educational use, and print and project it for student learning.

YOU MAY NOT: share it with other teachers or post it online.

Each educator must purchase their own license.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic