Valentines Day Art Lesson Cupid Mouse Valentine Art Project Reading Writing

This Cupid Mouse Art Lesson is a print-and-teach Valentine's Day art resource for elementary students, best for Grades 1 to 4. Students create a Cupid Mouse artwork with guided drawing and oil pastel techniques, then extend the lesson with reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking questions and art reflections.

The lesson focuses on kindness, empathy and giving rather than candy. Clear visual steps help students feel successful, literacy fits naturally into art time, and the project fills multiple class periods with artwork that is ready for a hallway or bulletin board display.

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

• Complete Lesson Plan with lesson overview, materials list, lesson hook and participation strategies, teaching flow and assessment guidance
• Standards and Curricular Connections
• Critical Thinking Discussion Questions about art, creativity and meaning
• Valentine Warm-Up Creativity Challenge
• KWL Chart about Valentine's Day and art-making
• How to Draw a Cupid Mouse directed drawing page
• 8 Step-by-Step Art Instruction Pages: drawing the head and facial features, adding arms, body, legs, tail and wings, choosing a harp or bow and arrow, coloring with oil pastels, and adding highlights, outlines and texture
• Finished Artwork Example
• Student-Friendly Art Rubric
• Bulletin Board Display Title Page
• Nonfiction Reading: History of Valentine's Day (kindness-focused and age-appropriate)
• Fiction Reading: Cupid Mouse, a story about spreading kindness anonymously
• Reading Comprehension Questions with a complete answer key
• Narrative Writing Prompt: Imagine you are an animal spreading kindness on Valentine's Day
• Art Reflection and Assessment Pages: message and meaning, creative process magazine cover, questions and wonders, materials, techniques and elements, artwork reflection and goal setting, peer feedback, 3 Stars and a Wish, artist statement pages and an artwork postcard activity

HOW TO USE IT

Use it as a Valentine's Day art lesson, a February art and literacy integration, an inclusive kindness-focused Valentine activity, sub plans during holiday weeks or a homeschool Valentine's unit.

The art project takes a few class periods, and the reading, writing and reflection pages let you stretch it into a multi-day Valentine's lesson you can reuse each year.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Classroom teachers, art teachers, homeschool families and substitute teachers working with elementary students.

What grade levels is it best for?

Grades 1 to 4, with flexibility depending on student needs.

Do I need to be an art teacher to teach this?

No. The step-by-step visuals and clear directions make it approachable for non-art teachers.

How long does this lesson take?

The art project typically takes 2 to 3 class periods, with reading, writing and reflection extending the lesson if you like.

What materials are required?

Oil pastels and construction or cardstock paper. A full materials list is included.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and 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 in your classroom or homeschool. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, post it on blogs or websites, share it with other teachers or districts, or resell, redistribute or photocopy it.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic