Easy to teach art lesson: The Name's the Thing! Perfect for substitutes and uneasy classroom teachers.

I recently published "The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons."  It is a compilation of 12 complete lessons for the art teacher to leave on her desk in case a sub is necessary.  Maybe you aren't interested in 12 complete lessons right now... don't worry, you can pick and choose one at a time!  Click the links to learn more about each lesson and see a preview of the pages.

Available now, The Name's the Thing!  This lesson combines, color schemes, design principles and fancy handwriting.  Includes a handout on how to write fancy letters.

 It's a Zoo! This lesson concentrates on basic shape drawing and composition skills.  Comes with an easy "how to draw" page and very detailed directions.

Also available, Big Butterflies.  This lessons concentrates on balance and pattern.

Available for free is Candy House. This lesson combines fairy tales and architecture and has great illustrations and a brainstorming page.

Composition and Design Handout

Composition and Design can be a little confusing to teach.  Sometimes kids get it and sometimes they just don't.  This handout explains composition and design pretty good to secondary or high school students.  It is a nice handout to put in a sketchbook and refer to for a project or to brush up on some composition terms.

Story Book Page Design Assignment Page

I got in the wayback machine to pull out this golden oldie.

Written on a Mac II, or possibly a Gateway, the Story Book Page Design assignment page was meant for my Art I students way back in 1998.  My first year teaching!  I was a fan of over-explaining things, and of IMPORTANT STUFF WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS or bold.

There are a few typos, but the assignment is pretty good and still relatable to junior high, or high school students.  If I was teaching this lesson today I would not be nearly as strict.  I had quite a few requirements and rules! Yikes.  In hindsight, I don't think my students read it anyway.