Art with Mrs Filmore

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NEW YouTube Art Tutorial! “April Showers Brings May Flowers” -2nd Grade

May 3, 2026 No Comments

The group of 4 pics below are my teacher examples (students artwork below!)

I have a FREE hand drawn umbrella template (PDF) in my TpT (Teachers pay Teachers) store to download and print for this lesson!

You can get my FREE umbrella template at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

BTW- in case you’re not a teacher, did you know that anyone can create a TpT buyer account. It’s EASY and completely FREE! Creating an account to browse and download resources is free and open to all.

*****I recommend printing the umbrella out on 9×12” 80# white drawing paper (which is what I used), tagboard or cardstock for this lesson. But it could be printed as an 8.5” x 11” on any of those papers too *****

Steps on how we made these and the learning goals for the lesson are below students artwork!

Students Artwork below

These few below are from last year (I deleted my previous April Showers brings May Flowers lesson with pics in my 2nd grade page, because I wanted to edit how I wrote it and update this lesson— so I’m including these here!)

This lesson is one of my favorites for springtime, and could easily work with 1st or 3rd grade as well! It takes 3 (40 min.) art classes to complete— although I’ve had some classes finish up in just 2 art classes!

STEPS FOR THE LESSON:

Students each received a 9×12” 80# sheet of drawing paper with the umbrella pre-printed. I drew the umbrella by hand with pencil then traced over with black sharpie and photocopied x35 for each class (extras are always a must just in case kids need a new sheet).

Then students followed along with me as I drew under the document camera showing them how to create the raincoat, shorts, legs and rain boots in pencil.

Once that was complete, we drew a curved line for the hill, and a few clouds in the sky. I explained how clouds can be created by drawing a connected lowercase letter “m”.

Students had lots of choices for their drawings. They could add other details like a sun peeking out from a cloud, or along the horizon line (with a face or no face), lightning bolts coming from the clouds for a stormy setting, their pet sitting beside them, and any designs or patterns within their clothing. Then we traced over everything except for the line for the hill, with a black sharpie.

Then students colored in the person and umbrella with crayon —making sure to press really hard as they colored so the colors would be vibrant! I told students they could use any colors they wanted, and could draw any designs within their umbrella and clothes. (In my video I show how to create the rainbow “tie-dye” look for the umbrella, like in my first photo up top). They also colored in their sun, rainbow and lightning bolts if they added them, making sure to press hard as they colored.

Students then drew flowers in their hill with crayons ( no pencil first. ) I showed students how to draw 3 different flowers. I demonstrated how to draw simple tulips (by drawing the letter U and then a capital letter W at the top, a simple daisy shaped flower (a small circle in the center, then a bumpy line all around) and a simple “button flower” (drawing a small circle, coloring it in, then another circle around it and coloring that in with a different color.

I told students (and say this in my video too— ) that they can create their own type of flower as well!

Then they drew flowers all around the hill with whatever colored crayons they wanted, pressing hard as they colored.

After the flowers, students used two shades of green crayons; a lighter lime green (we used Crayola’s “yellow-green”) and a darker forest green (we used the Crayola crayon just called “green”) and while holding both crayons in the same hand —a bit tricky! But they got the hang of it!—they drew grass blades all over the hill, right over the flowers, letting the lines overlap and go diagonal at times, making sure to press hard as they drew. I also explained to create blades of grass going a bit beyond the hill line we drew earlier. We talked about how creating the grass adds a ton of texture to our art too!

I like to have kids hold two crayons at once during this process so that #1 it goes faster, and #2 it forces them to cover the hills with overlapping lines. I also like the 2 shades of green rather than just one, for more color and variety. It’s also a great way to increase fine motor control as well!

I did explain to students (as well as in my video) that if they had a difficult time holding 2 crayons at once and drawing the grass, that they could certainly just use one crayon at a time. But this wasn’t really an issue—-in all 4 of my 2nd grade classes, only a few students used one crayon at a time, and both ways work fine!

Then using a white crayon we created rain in the sky by drawing diagonal lines (making sure to press VERY hard, since we’d be painting over the rain with watercolors —creating a crayon wax-resist technique )

We talked about how although you can’t really see where you’re putting the rain drops —since it’s white on white—you can actually see the waxy sheen/ texture it has on the paper when you tilt your paper in the light. See pic below

Then, using a wet-on-wet technique, I demonstrated how to add only water with a paintbrush to the sky right over all the rain.

Students had a choice of painting either an all blue sky, a sunset sky (using yellow first closest to the horizon line, then orange, then red and then blue) or a stormy sky (using blue and purple). (I demonstrate all these varieties in my YouTube video as well).

I explained to use mostly water on their brush than paint, and to dip their paintbrush tip into the water a few times after getting paint on their brush, to get rid of excess paint. (***This is explained in my video as well. I also show how to get rid of any “pools” of paint too!)

Students painted their sky over their raindrops, creating a crayon-wax-resist. It never gets old seeing students excited to see their raindrops magically appear! They LOVE that part!

Then students used the wet-on-wet technique again for the hill. They wet the entire hill with only water first. Then painted over their hills (right over the grass and flowers) using green watercolors.

Such a beautiful and colorful art lesson for springtime!!

Here’s some fun pics of my students creating their beautiful paintings! Learning Goals are posted below the pics!

LEARNING GOALS:

Students can define and create a wet-on-wet technique with watercolors

Students can create, define and identify texture within their artwork

Students can utilize and identify the elements of art: LINE, SHAPE, and COLOR to create their art

Students can define and create a crayon-wax-resist painting

To get a FREE PDF umbrella template visit my TpT store in the link below!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

Please also check out some of my previous posts below!

(Clicking on the link will bring you right to that post! )

Mixed Media Cake inspired by Wayne Thiebaud

Mixed Media Watercolor Self-Portraits – 5th Grade

One point Perspective Cityscapes – 5th Grade

Blackout poetry – 5th Grade

Draw your own Inventions – 1st Grade

Winter Northern Lights! 5th grade Art Lesson

I also added a page “springtime art lessons” recently, that have 39 springtime art lessons all in one place, with pics and links to my original posts with detailed steps. That can be found under the main menu OR you can just click Here!

******Visit my page “Art Instruction Videos” (under the main menu) to view all 12 of my Youtube video tutorials!******

Thank you so much for visiting my website today! I’ll be posting again soon 🙂

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Mixed Media Watercolor Self-Portraits – 5th grade

April 24, 2026 No Comments

I’m so excited to start this new lesson soon with my 5th graders! I’ve been having fun creating a variety of examples! (See below)

I created a few different variations of the first one (below)

Such a fun way to create a self-portrait and I think my students are going to love it!

Here’s what I did to create the first two:

I created the background painting first, by splattering watercolors, with all different colors, all over a sheet of 80# 9×12” white drawing paper with a watercolor brush. I think splattering smaller drops of paint with more paint than water on the brush works best for this technique.

I let the paint sit for a minute on the paper to allow the pigment of the watercolor paint to adhere and saturate the paper, creating the little dots of color here and there. Then I scraped the paint. I think I’ll have students use a piece of stiff cardboard for this, but I used a couple of index cards folded in half together, and turned the index card each time I scraped a section. A cut up cereal box would work great for this. Then the painting was set aside to dry completely. In the 1st photo above, I scrape randomly and in a wavy way. 2nd photo above, I scraped going from the center outward to the edges of the paper all the way around.

Then I took a couple of photos of myself and I also used one that I already had in my phone (the silly wide-eyed expression one looking at the drink) and printed them out as black and white on 8.5” x 11” white copy paper.

Then I slipped the black and white photo inside an 8.5” x 11” clear plastic sheet protector and traced all the contour lines of my face, hair and clothes using a fine point black permanent sharpie on the plastic. Once complete, I pulled the black and white photo out and put a white paper underneath the plastic sheet protector (so I could see my contour lines easily) and colored in my hair, eyes, lips and clothes with colored permanent sharpie markers. I love the texture that the sharpie creates when coloring on plastic! Zoom in on the photos above to see, if you’ve never tried this technique before. It’s so cool!

Then I just laid my colored plastic sheet on top of my painting. You can flip the plastic over to the other side and try it that way as well! There’s so many possibilities to the layout and the way the colors work together with this!

FYI— I did trim the sides and bottom of the plastic sheet protector with scissors after coloring in, in order to get rid of the three ring binder holes that it comes with, and to cut the other side to not make it a sealed edge.
Then once you SEPERATE the plastic just glue the back of your colored plastic sheet with a clear glue stick all over and glue onto your painting!

****More on what brand of sheet protectors and colored sharpies I used below****

For the 3rd one , I first drew random lines with pink and orange oil pastels on 80# 9 x 12” white drawing paper. Then I sprayed water (a fine mist) all over my paper lightly. Then I used blue watercolor paint to splatter randomly over the dampened paper. Then I scraped my paper using the same method with index cards as above and let dry. Then used the same methods with tracing contour lines and coloring with colored sharpies as above.

For images #4, #5 and #6 I created a plastic wrap resist technique. I painted pink/red circles one at a time randomly all over the 80# paper with watercolors, using a lot of paint, then immediately laid down a small cut square of plastic wrap on top of the circle. (You just need to make sure you put a lot of watercolor on your brush and make sure the paint is still wet before putting on the plastic wrap.Also make sure the cut plastic wrap/saran wrap is slightly larger than the circle.)
Then I pulled up the center of each plastic wrap square slightly, and twisted it in one direction tightly, to create the flower petal appearance. I did this for all the circles and then used only a tiny bit of red paint on my brush -but mainly water —and painted all around the plastic wrap flowers, filling in the negative space. Then left it to sit and dry for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, or more, I peeled off the plastic wrap and let the painting dry for an additional 30 minutes before laying the plastic self-portrait on top to take a photo.

For the final picture (pic #7) I did the same technique as above with plastic wrap on watercolors, except I used a variety of colors. I painted one circle at a time and left a bit of white paper in the center, then painted a different color in each center, then applied the cut Saran Wrap on top and twisted. Then I pressed at the circles edges all the way around to let the paint bleed outside my painted circle a little, to create a slightly wavy edge. See pics below

This watercolor plastic wrap resist technique would be fun to use for creating a field of flowers with kids, or a vase of flowers!

I also did a few other paintings ( below) with plastic wrap and wet-on-wet technique with watercolors, but they didn’t really come out as I envisioned them to be, so didn’t use them.

************************************************
If any students are reading this, just want to point out that we all go through frustrations, set backs, disappointments, and challenges in art making—-even art teachers!! I know I was annoyed/ frustrated at times when I was creating these examples —but after a bunch of experimenting and perseverance—-I did end up excited and happy with some of my playful results!! So just remember, just keep trying and have fun and you never know what you might discover along the way!
***********************************************

These are the colored sharpies I purchased on Amazon —I love them and they are very colorful and bright! Pack of 48 (for only 9.90!)

These are the plastic sheet protectors I purchased off Amazon below. Nice thickness, and crystal clear. 25 per pack for a little over $4

You can see in the pic below how clear these are

I also ordered the ones below by a different company—BUT don’t buy these—they have a slight texture to them and aren’t crystal clear as you can see in the photos below.
Too bad I bought 300 of them?!?! But I guess I’ll find a use for them for holding cooking recipes —or I could use them to make my sub plan binder look a little more organized haha

(if you zoom in you can see it has a rough texture to it )

I like using Crayola “Portfolio” brand oil pastels as you can see below- – but I know there’s a bunch of other brands that are just as good / if not better.

5th graders will be starting these once they finish up their “Splattered Paintbrushes” art lesson!

This mixed media watercolor self-portrait lesson is inspired by the contemporary Artist Cecilia Paredes (she is an amazing painter – check out her artwork if you haven’t seen her self-portraits!!!!) I’m excited to introduce my students to her work! Below is a link to view some of her incredible work!

https://echofinearts.com/artists/cecilia-paredes/?srsltid=AfmBOorcI7oDKTetuJTzHXX2Ujij9QrHTkp_gOqPU-wLEmjDoGUF6JPv

I’ll update this post (as well as my “5th Grade Art Lessons” page ) with photos of students working on their art as well as students finished artwork, and the learning goals for the lesson once complete!

Check out some of my recent posts below! (Clicking on the link will bring you right to that post! )

Mixed Media Cake inspired by Wayne Thiebaud

One point Perspective Cityscapes – 5th Grade

Blackout poetry – 5th Grade

Draw your own Inventions – 1st Grade

Winter Northern Lights! 5th grade Art Lesson

I also added a page “springtime art lessons” recently that have 39 springtime art lessons all in one place, with pics and links to my original posts with detailed steps. That can be found under the main menu or you can click Here!

Thanks so much for visiting my website today!

P.S BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR A SALE IN MY TpT STORE SOMETIME THIS WEEKEND!!! : D

UPDATE! I’ve just added a 20% off entire store sale starting today 4/25 to 4/28!

Link to my TpT store is HERE

#elementaryart

#artclass

#Artlessonsforkids

#5thgradeart

#mixedmediapainting

#mixedmediawatercolors

#plasticwrapresist

#paintingtechniques

#Selfportraitartlessons

#mixedmediaart

#artprojectsforkids

#splatterpainting

#paintingtechniques

#watercolors

#selfportrait

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“Draw your own Invention!”1st grade

April 12, 2026 No Comments

This fun and engaging 1st grade art lesson connects directly to STEM concepts, foundational literacy, and a school community event (the 5th grade “Invention Convention”)!

This was a 2 day art lesson -2 (40 minute) art periods. On day 1, we talked about how the 5th graders created their own inventions with their classroom teachers, and had them on display for the whole school to check out. Students then shared their favorite inventions that they saw when visiting the invention convention.

So for the 5th grader Invention Convention, which is a yearly tradition, 1st graders went with their classroom teachers to visit the invention convention earlier that week. They walked around the gym where everything was set up and were given the opportunity to ask questions and hear how their inventions operated and why they were useful! A lot of my first graders had older siblings that took part in the schools invention convention event too. Parents and people in the community were able to see the inventions and talk to the 5th grade inventors one evening at the school as well!

Here are some of the 5th graders inventions below!

Then students were introduced to Rube Goldberg’s illustrations, and learned that Rube Goldberg lived from 1883 – 1970, and that he was an American cartoonist, engineer, and inventor who received the Pulitzer Prize in 1948 for his political cartoons. Rube is best known for his cartoon drawings that depict “Rube Goldberg Machines”, contraptions that were deliberately over-engineered to perform (via a chain reaction) a very simple task in a very complicated way.

FUN FACT! The popular board game, “Mouse Trap”, was modeled after a “Rube Goldberg Machine”.

They then watched this very silly and fun video by http://josephsmachines.com (which my students absolutely LOOVED!)

“Pass the Salt”

https://youtu.be/nORRgU8sGdE?si=sfAAwWtuP7aqn4ca

You should definitely watch this if you haven’t seen it yet. Also visit his YouTube channel for other fun videos!

I particularly liked this one below “what happens to your bags after drop off”

Then I showed students invention drawings (in my Google slides)by previous 1st graders for more inspiration.

Here are my screenshots of my Google slides with directions that I showed my students after.

On day 2, students finished coloring in their inventions and then did a “turn and talk” with their peers, explaining what they created and how their invention worked.

Artwork by my first graders is below the learning goals for the lesson!

Learning Goals:

Students learn about the artist /engineer Rube Goldberg and can identify his artwork

Students can see connections between science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM)

Students can use creative problem solving skills, and visualize a unique invention

Students can translate abstract ideas into a 2D drawing, using lines, shapes and textures to represent functioning parts of their invention

Students can give their invention a unique name, and a written description encouraging creative ownership while creating art that connects with ELA

In connection with the 5th-grade event, students will practice explaining their drawing to peers, developing the “narrator” skills needed for future presentations

Students recognize the school-wide theme of “innovation” and see themselves as part of the same creative community as the older students

Students learn to use real-world events (like the 5th-grade convention) as a springboard for their own artistic exploration

the students artwork above wasn’t finished yet but I had to add it in!

Thanks so much for visiting my website today! I hope you enjoyed these 1st graders creative inventions and try it with your students soon!

Please be sure to check out my previous posts below

NEW YouTube Tutorial “Mixed-Media Cake inspired by Wayne Thiebaud ”

I created my FIRST EVER #shorts video!!! I think I messed up a teeny bit though and added #shorts to the actual video haha when I actually didn’t have to (whatevs…. Not a big deal!)

Springtime Art Lessons

Blackout Poetry – 5th Grade

Winter Northern Lights! 5th Grade Art Lesson

Winter Cardinals -4th grade and Superhero Masks – 2nd grade!

And many MANY others!!! Click under my main menu to find my permanent pages with grade level art lessons and much much more!

Also—- I’ll be posting again soon on the following:

The Art Show (after May)

Kindergarten + 1st grade Self-Portraits

2nd grade “April Showers Brings May Flowers”

3rd grade “Kinetic Piranha’s”

4th grade “Enlarged Flower Drawings”

5th grade “Splattered Paintbrushes”

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NEW YouTube Tutorial “Mixed-Media Cake inspired by Wayne Thiebaud ”

March 29, 2026 No Comments

I hope you enjoy watching my new video! I had a lot of fun making it!

*****NEW! I just added my step-by-step drawing guide (PDF) on how to draw the cake to my TpT store (4/15/26) for only $1.25*****

Link to my TpT is HEREHERE

In my video, I first give an introduction on Wayne Thiebaud and talk about his artwork while showing a variety of his paintings with the titles of the art listed at the bottom, and share some fun facts kids will love! (2 minutes), then during the drawing I show how to hold a ruler correctly when drawing any straight lines—-how to use crayon to create a “barrier” or wall, to prevent watercolors from seeping into other wet sections, —and “wet-wet woops!”Something I came up with when wet paint next to wet paint merges together where you don’t want it to 🙂

Suitable for grades 3-5

******* More on this lesson below the hashtags**********

#WayneThiebaud

#mixedmedia

#watercolortutorial

#elementaryartlessons

#youtubetutorials

#art

#artlessons

#cake

#drawingcakes

#howtodrawacake

#cakelover

#artprojectsforkids

#Artlessonsforkids

#springtimeartlessons#elementaryart

Materials needed:

Good quality white drawing paper (I used 9×12” 80# paper)
Black fine point sharpie permanent marker
Crayons
Ruler
Watercolors
Puffy paint (or oil pastels) for the sprinkles

3 day lesson (40 minute art classes each)

Day 1:

Draw and sharpie cake (include frosting dripping over edge, wavy frosting on top around perimeter, strawberry (or other cake topping like chocolates, candles, or cherries), diagonally striped frosting on the inside, plate, table and 5 vertical stripes for rainbow inside the cake (if you want to include that part) *omit sharpie on those lines

Day 2:

Color strawberry with crayon
Color wavy frosting on top of cake with crayon
Draw a thick line of crayon at edge of frosting drips
Color in the diagonal stripe of inside frosting with crayon
Trace over vertical stripes inside cake (just tracing over lines) to create a “barrier” for paint, with crayons, pressing hard
Color in the plate with crayon
Add crayon tablecloth design / pattern on table
Paint the sides of cake (from drips down) not the inside slice taken out yet
Paint the top of cake and frosting drips

Day 3:

Paint the inside of cake (just be careful near the top and don’t use too much water on your brush) rainbow vertical stripes starting with red at outermost edge of cake going to purple in the center on both sides
Add puffy paint sprinkles on top of cake (or once the top is completely dry) or use oil pastels

LEARNING GOALS:

Students learn about the artist Wayne Thiebaud and can identify his work
Students understand how art and other disciplines, like math can be interdisciplinary and helps generate new ideas and supports creative thinking
Students utilize the elements of art: line, shape, form, space, texture and color to create a cake and can identify those elements in their work
Students can create, identify and define crayon wax resist techniques

*****NEW! I just added my step-by-step drawing guide (PDF) on how to draw the cake to my TpT store (4/15/26) for only $1.25

Link to my TpT is HEREHERE

This handout would be great for any absent students on day 1 of the lesson. Also great for any early finishers on any given day! And useful to add to your sub binder!

I hope you enjoy my new video!!

I know in my last post “Springtime Art Lessons” I mentioned that I’d be creating a new video for 2nd grade “April Showers brings May Flowers” but I just really wanted to create this video first! I will still be creating that one though sometime very soon!

I’m also thinking about creating a YouTube tutorial on Georgia O’Keeffe inspired Enlarged flower drawings (oil pastel) — you can view them under my 4th grade Art Lessons page —-would you be interested in something like that? With a bit of Art history and talking about her art and life in the intro? Let me know your thoughts!

Please check out my new video when you can! Also be sure to check out my post below on “Springtime Art Lessons” —there’s a ton listed from grades K-5 as well as special education with links back to my original posts on many of them that have detailed step-by-step directions with lots of photos. I plan on making a permanent spot for all of those on a dedicated page under my main menu in the next day or so.

Thank you so much for visiting my website today!

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Springtime Art Lessons

March 26, 2026 No Comments

These lessons are listed in order by grade level from 5th grade to Kindergarten and then Special Education

All pictures shown are of my students artwork only (no teacher examples)

Almost any of these lessons could be used for the grade above or grade below as well!

I’ve included my links (where I could) that go directly to each post about that particular lesson, which include very detailed steps and step-by-step photos. This will make it much quicker and easier for you to find the directions for each springtime art lesson!

Please be sure to check out my drop down MENU to view all that I have to offer on my website (especially if you’re someone new to my site!) There’s lots to look at and I added NEW pages recently! —-one of which is titled “ OPEN HOUSE or P/T CONFERENCE NIGHT IDEA” —-

I’m planning on adding another new page within the next few weeks as well!

Ok, here’s my list of Springtime Art Lessons!!

5TH GRADE

MIXED MEDIA BIRDS NESTS!

MIXED MEDIA BIRD NESTS- 5TH GRADE!

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with step-by-step photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 5th Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions with photos of students artwork

MIXED-MEDIA BOUQUET OF FLOWERS

5th Grade- Mixed-Media Bouquet of Flowers

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 5th Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions with photos of students artwork.

This year I’m having my 4th graders, at one of my schools (the school where I have an art room ) make these for the Art Show coming up in May 2026! Instead of having them create the bubble wrap prints for either their vase or table, I’m having them “up-cycle” the art room messy mats! Honestly, the messy mats are their OWN work of art at this point!! I’m really REALLY excited about it!!! They will still create splatter paintings for either their vase or table too!

4TH GRADE

ENLARGED FLOWER DRAWINGS INSPIRED BY GEORGIA O’KEEFE

4th Grade Enlarged Flowers and 5th Grade Falling For Foreshortening

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 4th Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions with photos of students artwork. The 4th grade Art Lessons page has additional (different) photos of student artwork than the link too

COLLABORATIVE ENLARGED FLOWER DRAWING- Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe

4th Grade -COLLABORATIVE FLOWER DRAWING!

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 4th Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions with photos of students artwork.

DANDELION PUFFS

Dandelion Puffs – 4th Grade

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 4th Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions with photos of students artwork.

RADIAL SYMMETRY PRINTMAKING

Rainbows are always happening in springtime! Plus it’s SOOOo colorful so I figured why not add this one to the springtime collection!

The detailed steps (and photos for EACH step) are under the lesson on my 4th Grade Art Lessons page already—so no need to add in a link or type anything in my search box!

Also, here is my YouTube tutorial on this lesson!

3RD GRADE

SUNSET SILHOUETTES

I could see creating silhouettes of grass and flowers (drawn large along the bottom up close/ low view point) with flying bumble bees or butterflies as a fun way to heighten the springtime feel for this one!

The sunset colors just has the vibes of warmer months so I wanted to include this fun lesson in the mix!

Please go to my 3rd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork.

SUNFLOWERS INSPIRED BY VINCENT VAN GOGH

Please go to my 3rd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork.

2ND GRADE

ABSTRACT SELF PORTRAITS!

There were 2 different times I posted about this lesson— so ergo— 2 links! The second link is where I had kids add neon oil pastels onto their painted backgrounds, and to their black + white photos if they wanted! 🙂

ABSTRACT SELF-PORTRAITS -2nd Grade

2ND GRADE ABSTRACT SELF-PORTRAITS!

I wanted to include this lesson because #1 it’s awesome, and one of my favorites! And #2, it could easily have a springtime feel added to it!

I could definitely see having kids draw simple flower heads layered on top of their dried paintings (just swatches of paint with different colors as the background)— OR —have kids draw flower heads (just an outline) all over their paper with crayons or oil pastels pressing hard first, THEN paint over them with watercolors (creating a crayon wax-resist or oil pastel resist) before applying their photos and text! That would be a great springtime edition of this lesson! I would maybe just have kids draw the flower heads really large (as kids always tend to want to draw small) to make them fun and more noticeable. Just an idea!

You can download the sheet with questions that kids fill out for this lesson in my TpT store below!

TpT store link https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

BIRCH TREE LANDSCAPES

Birch Tree Landscapes- 2nd Grade

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 2nd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions (still with photos)!

Here is my link to my TpT store to get the woodland creatures step-by-step drawing packet for this lesson Woodland Creatures Step-by-step drawing sheets

3D WATER LILIES Inspired by Claude Monet!

3D Water Lilies Inspired by Claude Monet! 2nd Grade

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with step-by-step photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 2nd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions (still with photos)!

HERE is my link to my TpT store to download the tracing template for the 3 petals (large, medium and small) for this lesson

My YouTube video tutorial on this lesson is below!

https://youtu.be/132KQyRR2d0?feature=shared

SPRINGTIME BUNNY, BEAR OR FOX!

SPRINGTIME BUNNY, BEAR OR FOX! 2nd Grade

SPRINGTIME BUNNIES AND BEAR CUBS- 2ND GRADE!

Please click on the 2 links above to go directly to my original posts to view detailed steps with step-by-step photos on this lesson! There is a link to get a free bunny template through the first post as well! Or you can go onto my 2nd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions (still with some photos)!

$2.99 DOWNLOADABLE PDF BEAR CUB TEMPLATE ON MY TpT PAGE HERE

MONET INSPIRED BRIDGE PAINTINGS

Please go to my 2nd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see photos of students artwork.

Below is a YouTube link to show your students a video about Monet, which I love! It’s narrated by a cute 8 year old girl and she has the sweetest voice! My students LOVED watching it!

https://youtu.be/r9O1c6Not6U?feature=shared

FIELD OF FLOWERS PAINTING

Please go to my 2nd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork.

APRIL SHOWERS BRINGS MAY FLOWERS

Please go to my 2nd Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

I’m going to create a YouTube tutorial on this lesson soon too!

I will also be adding my umbrella PDF template to my TpT store so you can download and print one to copy and use in your classrooms! I will update this post once that’s all set and add it to my 2nd grade page as well.

1ST GRADE

HOT AIR BALLOON COLLAGE

This lesson is too cute to not add in the mix! And let’s be honest —it is “springtime-esque”— I know I’d prefer riding in one of these in warmer temps! Plus I love how sweet they are (I have been told by many parents how much they love them and what a keepsake they are 💞and students loved making them!)

Please go to my 1st Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

WATERMELON WEAVINGS

WATERMELON WEAVINGS! – 1ST GRADE

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with step-by-step photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 1st Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions (still with photos- just not as detailed)

TANGLEBIRD COLLAGE

Please go to my 1st Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

3D LINE SCULPTURES!

1st Grade 3D Line Sculptures!

My students LOOVE this lesson! It’s so bright and colorful for a springtime display and kids learn how to create an amazing sculpture just out of simple construction paper!

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to view detailed steps with step-by-step photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my 1st Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the condensed directions (still with photos- just not as detailed)

SUNFLOWER DRAWING INSPIRED BY VINCENT VAN GOGH

Please go to my 1st Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

KINDERGARTEN

BUGS IN A JAR

Please go to my Kindergarten Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

LITTLE CLOUD

Please go to my Kindergarten Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

BIRDS ON A WIRE

Please go to my Kindergarten Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

SELF-PORTRAITS WITH RAINBOW LINES

How adorable are these self-portraits??! I love the contrast too!

Please go to my Kindergarten Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

MIXED-MEDIA BRIDGES INSPIRED BY CLAUDE MONET

Please go to my Kindergarten Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork! This one is also listed under my Special Education page.

APRIL SHOWERS

Please go to my Kindergarten Art Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork! This one is also listed under my Special Education page.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Any of the following art lessons can be taught to Kindergarten or 1st grade as well!

SNAILS, FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES OH MY!

SNAILS, FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES OH MY!

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to read how we made these with step-by-step photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the directions there

MIXED-MEDIA HANDS HOLDING FLOWERS

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

PRINTMAKING –VASE OF FLOWERS!

PRINTMAKING –VASE OF FLOWERS!

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to read how we made these with step-by-step photos on this lesson. Or you can go onto my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the directions

SHAVING CREAM MARBLED PRINTS

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

MIXED-MEDIA CLAY BUTTERFLIES

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

FLOATING CHALK PRINTS

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork! This lesson would be great to create textured papers to collage with!

MIXED-MEDIA RAINBOW COLLAGES

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

CLAY BIRDS IN NESTS

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

SYMMETRICAL BUTTERFLIES

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork! Similar to the butterflies above but we used liquid tempera paint for the butterfly for this one!

LADYBUGS

Please go to my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the lesson, read how we made them and see additional photos of students artwork!

COFFEE FILTER FLOWERS

COFFEE FILTER FLOWER

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to read how we made these and view the photo of the lesson. Or you can go onto my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the directions there

MIXED-MEDIA FLOWERS

Mixed-Media Flowers! Special Education

Please click on the link above to go directly to my original post to read detailed directions on how we made these and view the steps with photos of the lesson! Or you can go onto my Special Education Lessons page and scroll down to view the directions there!

Also, Just for fun — check out this old stop motion animation I made with my 5th graders WAAAAY back in 2012 when I was student teaching! There are 3 short animations total —back-to-back—with a pause in between. They made the music with the music teacher for this video! So cool! These kiddos are now 24 years old?!?! Yikes?!!

Link below

OLDIE But GOODIE!

Be sure to check out my other recent posts below on:

Winter Northern Lights!

Blackout Poetry

Winter Cardinals

Thank you so much for visiting my website today! I hope you enjoyed reading this post, and will bookmark it for future reference to come back to these art lessons. Please consider subscribing below if you haven’t already ❤️ You’ll receive an email notification each time I post something new!

I will be posting something NEW (never before posted! ) art lesson here very very soon! 😀

P.S. —Have you checked out all my site has to offer? Click on the MENU on my home page and see if anything else suits your fancy 😉

There’s lots to look at and I added NEW pages recently! —-one of which is titled “ OPEN HOUSE or P/T CONFERENCE NIGHT IDEA” —-

I’m planning on adding another new page within the next few weeks as well!

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Blackout Poetry – 5th Grade

March 21, 2026 No Comments

First, I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all of my subscribers—thank you so much for following along my art room (well…art cart) adventures!

I love sharing all the beautiful creations that my students make and steps for the lessons. I hope that my website is a great resource to all Art educators, K-5 classroom educators, parents, students, and aspiring art teachers alike! And well… anyone really!!

I created this website in late 2014 and it’s been steadily growing ever since. I’ve recently gained over 100 NEW subscribers in just this past month alone- that’s pretty big for me! So, THANK YOU!! (I hope that doesn’t come across as sounding boastful— that’s not me— I just wanted to share my happiness about it and express my gratitude! Art teaching is my passion, and I love sharing what I love to do!

Here are some of my 5th Graders amazing #blackoutpoetry

Many of these are still works in progress, but we are finishing up this lesson this week. I just couldn’t wait to share what they’ve created so far! I hope you enjoy! Steps and directions (with screenshots) that I show my students from my Google slides are below the artwork as well.

”We are always in the process of becoming new

Our minds are exercising “

”I can make a difference”

”Major colors can be taken further into a mound of textures”

“He is over there

She is sitting over there

They now come together”

This student wanted to do a Haiku and found almost all the letters she needed for what she wanted it to say. We used a teeny tiny bit of whiteout to add in one or two letters for it to work. I love her dedication and perseverance to create this. Look at how many letters she had to find?! It’s so simple but so beautiful!

”In the dark, there is light”

“A special space large enough for me to dream

It was something special for me

Just for me”

”Explore life

Make purpose”

”Hope

or opportunity “

”Images create the world

Making images express us and life”

”She is telling

I’m thinking

It’s time to get outside and live out there for as long as you can. I’m out in the backyard with the rest of you”

”Without response. Sinking. Fast and gone.
Flooded.
Shattered”

”Deep in

More vivid imaginations

Will arise”

”We

can’t

control the

universe”

”She copied the wisdom of a higher grade to be big”

”A human means

to touch, explore, and

create the world”

”I dream unique

fascination

I become something special

A new part of history”

Somehow I always manage to screw up the spacing whenever I hang up artwork?!!?Anyone else have this issue?? ? Hahah—-I like the letters punched out that way though! I used one of those old school / hand crank gizmo’s -called a “Cricut cuttlebug” to cut the white paper to create the letters for the board. The bulletin board is black underneath.

These are the my Google slides I show my 5th graders students throughout the process of the lesson—-This is one of my teacher examples below on the LEFT (in the box) and in the following picture BELOW as well.

These are some slides showing some examples of Austin Kleon’s blackout poetry taken from his Instagram account

And these are slides I show my students with previous 5th graders artwork and poems to give them some more inspiration. This was when I taught the lesson using only black sharpie to illustrate their poems (maybe about 10 years ago???!)

This was a 4 day lesson (taking 4- 40 minute art classes)

I thought originally it’d probably take 3 art classes, but then realized on day 3 that students needed a day 4 and I wanted to make sure I gave them the time to finish.
I have always loved incorporating writing with art lessons and I was excited to try this one again after so many years. I honestly am not sure why I stopped for awhile? Im glad I did though! Sometimes I think it’s something inside me nudging me to start writing myself.

Day 1: I showed them the slides above, explaining what blackout poetry is, and telling them about Austin Kleon’s work, and showed them his examples. I also showed them a few examples that I created and then showed them my previous 5th graders examples with their artwork too.

Then I explained how I photocopied a bunch of random pages from books that I had at home, a few books from the school library, as well as an article from a food magazine I had laying around. I randomly selected 3 pages out of the bunch and paper clipped 3 random pages together x30 per class.

I explained to students to look through each page and without reading the entire page, just look for words that jump out at them. Then to choose one page, and start selecting words with their pencil, making sure the words read like a book – from left to right- top to bottom— by drawing large rectangles around each word they wanted to include in their poem.

Once all words were selected in pencil, they traced over all their rectangles around each word with a super fine point sharpie marker.

Then they wrote their entire “found poem” out along the bottom of their paper in pencil. Then placed a sheet of printer paper under their poem paper (to protect their desks) and used a bigger “Fine point” sharpie marker to start blacking out all the other words they didn’t need in their final poem.

After that, on DAY 2–students started to draw a picture on 9×12” 80# paper with pencil that somehow connected to their poems. I explained that they could draw something very abstract (just focusing on lines, shapes and colors) to capture the feeling their poems represented or something more literal. They had a choice of what to color with —either markers, chalk pastels, colored pencils, or crayons.

Learning Goals:

Students can see how art and other disciplines, like English Language Arts can be interdisciplinary and helps generate new ideas and supports creative thinking

Students learn about the artist/writer Austin Kleon and his blackout poetry

Students develop a blend of critical reading, creative writing, and visual art skills

Students can create images that directly support, mirror, or enhance the meaning of their chosen poem

Students explore creative expression, using art to emphasize their found poem to create a personal, artistic piece

Students can reflect on how their chosen words and images express their own thoughts, feelings, or interpretations

Here are some photos of students creating both their poems and artwork!

I’ll be updating this blog post when students are finished with their artwork very soon!
I’m also going to post this under the “5th grade art lessons” page soon at the bottom, where it’ll permanently live.

I’ll ALSO be posting a collection of my SPRINGTIME ART LESSONS within the next couple of days as well FYI – so please be on the lookout out for that!

Also— haha— yep, moooore also’s…. Have you checked out all my site has to offer? Click on the MENU on my home page and see if anything else suits your fancy 😉
I added a NEW PAGE under my menu called “OPEN HOUSE or P/T CONFERENCE NIGHT IDEA” – be sure to check that out!

I’ll be posting SPRINGTIME ART LESSONS sometime this week ( as well as some other new fun art lessons that I haven’t posted before!)

Thank you so much for visiting my website today!

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Winter Cardinals -4th grade and Superhero Masks – 2nd grade!

March 14, 2026 No Comments

This will be my last winter art post for the season (Woo-Hoo! that’s a good thing!) Spring is just around the corner -thank god!! I’ll be posting a collection of “Springtime Art lessons” in a few days—so be on the look out for that! But in the meantime, I wanted to share some cardinals that recently wrapped up last week, and some fun superhero masks by my 2nd graders! —-I also have 4 NEW PDF hand drawn mask templates you can download and print out now in my TpT store too (more on that below).

One out of my (5) 4th grade classes finished painting their cardinals…the rest will finish up this coming week, and I’ll add more here after (as well as within the “4th grade art lessons” page).

This lesson took (4) 40 minute art classes to complete.

DAY 1: I demonstrated under the doc camera how to draw the cardinals on a sheet of 9×12” 80# white drawing paper. Students drew along with me as I drew starting with the cardinal, then the branch and snow, and then the tail feathers.
Once all of that was drawn, students added texture on the branch and then went over all their lines in sharpie.

DAY 2:

On day 2, I showed students how to color in their bird, branch and snow. We used colored pencils to color in, and I explained to press down hard while coloring in their bird red to make the color pop. For coloring in around the eye, I explained to press a little lighter, so the black wouldn’t completely blend in with the detail of the eye. They colored the beak orange, feet black, and branch with colored pencils and then added just a little bit of blue along the bottom of their snow along the branch. I explained to press hard with a blue colored pencil right where the snow meets the branch, and then gradually get lighter and lighter as you move up the snow, only to about 1/2 way. For some reason it’s not really showing in the photo in the artwork above.

DAY 3: On day 3, I demonstrated how to add shading using a black colored pencil within the bird, making sure to press harder along the edges and gradually pressing lighter and lighter, as it moves away from the edges. I also explained it’s important to overlap your lines as you do that step.

Then we outlined the bird, branch and snow with a black crayon (while pressing down hard). Doing this step helps create a barrier so that the watercolor paint won’t seep into those areas. Having pointier crayon tips (or sharpening them beforehand with a crayon sharpener) is helpful for this step as well.
Then we added some snow falling using a white crayon —making sure to press really hard as well. I reminded students even though you can’t see white on white paper – sometimes the way you hold your paper (if you tilt it just right) you can see the shiny parts from where you drew snow from the wax of the crayon on your paper. We talked about how this eventually would create a crayon-wax resist technique, (watercolors and wax don’t mix, and the paint won’t cover up the areas where you draw with crayon) when we paint the sky blue in the following art class.

DAY 4: Students used turquoise liquid watercolors (that was watered down a little) to paint their sky, revealing their snowflakes on the final day of the lesson. I like using Sax brand liquid watercolors for this lesson.

LEARNING GOALS:

Students can create, identify and define a crayon wax-resist painting technique

Students can create value changes in their bird with shading

Students can define the element of art “value”

Students can create, identify and define texture within their artwork

I’ll add more student artwork here later this week once they’ve finished!

2nd Grade Superhero Masks

Link to my TpT store to download a PDF of 4 different hand drawn masks is below – $3.99 for all 4 masks

This lesson is a fun project for ALL ages!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

This was a super fun one day lesson!! (40 minute class) *Some classes needed a day 2 to complete

I drew four different mask shapes, each on a sheet of 9 x 12” super heavy weight tag board paper and then ran each one through the copy machine. I recommend printing these out on “super heavyweight tagboard” (or thick cardstock)

Students could design their mask anyway they wanted with pencil first and then colored in with markers, crayons or colored pencils. Once finished they cut out their mask and then folded a little bit where the eyes were and then cut a tiny slice so they could get their scissors inside and then cut out the eyes.

Some students even decided to draw above the mask line to add other details as seen in the photos above like rabbit ears and additional details above their mask design. They were extremely creative!

To fit their mask to their face I had straps that I cut from the same super heavy weight tag board paper into 9“ x 2“ strips. Each mask got 2 strips. I helped them staple each strip end to each side of their mask first, then put the mask against their face to measure out where the straps should meet/ overlap and then stapled at that area, so it would fit snug on their head, but be able to come off easily at the same time.

Students LOOVED this fun and engaging lesson and wore them immediately after they were finished being sized. I had students asking me in the hall “Are we making masks tomorrow in Art?!!” They heard from their friends that’s what they did in art and were SO excited to make one too!

This lesson coincided with reading the book “Almost Super” within their classroom, at one of my schools.

After students finish their masks, you could have students draw their own superheroes too, or have them write about what their superhero name would be, what powers they have, what greater good are they fighting for, where does their superhero live etc. to connect to literacy!

LEARNING GOALS

Students continue to enhance their cutting skills
Students can use a variety of line, shape, color, texture, and pattern to design their own unique mask
Students understand that art can connect/ relate with other subjects

Link to my TpT store to download a PDF of 4 different hand drawn masks is below – $3.99 for all 4 masks

This lesson can be a fun project for ALL ages!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

——-Next, I’ll be adding a new blog post on a collection of various springtime art lessons, as well as 5th graders “Blackout Poetry” with their blackout poetry artwork!

——I also just added more photos to my “about me /Q+A” page (under my drop down menu on the main page at the top) and a funny little story (that I just remembered) involving making music video’s with a cam corder, when I was a teenager from back in the 90’s

——Would you be interested in a YouTube video that shows how to create my “April Showers brings May Flowers” 2nd grade art lesson below? If so, please let me know by replying “YES” in the form below!
I can post my hand drawn umbrella PDF template on TpT for FREE to use for the lesson too!

Also— please let me know any other art video tutorial you’d like me to make! You can fill out the form below. The forms will not get published by the way— it’s for my eyes only. I’d love to hear from you -Thank you!

****UPDATE: Unfortunately I had to delete the forms because I’ve been getting hit with 100’s of responses a day from somebody (cyber bully??) who is only submitting random responses (basically spamming / blog spam/ web bot)

And last but not least—if you’d like to check out my art lessons on Instagram—follow along on my Instagram account at @mammalovespeaches

Thank you so much for visiting my website today!❤️ Hope you’re having a great weekend (or weekday, depending on when you’re reading this 🙂

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Winter Northern Lights! 5th Grade Art Lesson

February 15, 2026 2 Comments

WINTER NORTHERN LIGHTS – kids artwork included!

( My teacher example above )

Students artwork below!

This is a NEW art lesson that I created on 12/17/25. I’m SO excited on how these turned out! This is definitely a keeper in my curriculum and kids really loved creating them!! Such a fun process and I’m very proud of my students work (as they are too!)

The only materials needed are 12 x18” black paper ( I like to use Sax brand “Black Colored Art Paper” because of how saturated the color it is, and doesn’t have spotting or inconsistencies within the paper), 6” x 18” black paper, 12 x18” white paper, colored chalk pastels, white chalk pastel, scissors, a glue stick, a toothbrush, a plate for the paint, and white tempera paint.

I knew I wanted to create a fun landscape using chalk pastels for a winter art lesson and kept playing around with ideas in my head for a few days, then started experimenting at school. I really love how the northern lights came out and how the snowy trees pop against the black and all that vibrant color!

This lesson takes (4) 40 minute art classes to complete.
This winter lesson can be created throughout ANY of the winter months! December-January-February….March even! (If you live in New England, March is like the loooongest cold month (besides January of course haha!)

Day 1: Create the Northern Lights

On a sheet of 12×18” white drawing paper, draw 5 random wavy lines across the paper with pencil to create a template for the northern lights. Make sure no lines are overlapping.

Then cut along that first top line and toss that first top section away in the recycling.

Then place the remaining paper (template) on top of the 12×18” black paper, lining up both papers. Then using various colored chalk pastels, draw right on the edge of the white paper -AND- on the black paper, going back and forth to create a thick line and to create a lot of chalk dust. Use a variety of colors and switch colors as you move along the edge of the white paper. Overlap colors where they meet as well. Then once the entire edge is colored, use your finger to smudge upwards from the white paper onto the black paper. (I did try to use a different finger as colors changed here and there, but even if I didn’t and they blended a little, it was completely fine. I guess that really just depends on what effect you’re going for color-wise and what colors you choose.)

Blow on your paper to get rid of any residual chalk dust. Then cut along the second line, toss the top section out, line the two papers up again and apply the chalk along the papers edge in the same way as mentioned above, then smudge upwards. Repeat these steps until it fills the black paper (see photos BELOW). Then use your finger to smudge the bottoms of each line of color created, to soften the lines and blur them out a little bit.

***TIP***To get rid of any smudges / finger prints afterwards, wipe your fingers on a damp paper towel with water (or use a baby wipe) lightly rub your fingers together for a second or two to get rid of excess moisture, then use your slightly dampened (juuuust barely!) finger to wipe away any smudges you don’t want—— that trick really works great!

DAY 2: Add the stars/snow

On day 2, finish creating the northern lights with colored chalk if needed. (Not a lot, but some of my students needed to finish). Then dip a toothbrush into white tempera paint on a plate, (I use Crayola Tempera Premier), not too much! And rub your finger along the toothbrush bristles to help spread it evenly. Then flick all over the black paper with northern lights creating stars in the night sky (– or snow falling, depending on how you see it). Once complete, set aside artwork in the drying rack to dry.

DAY 3: Create the trees

On day 3, students each receive a sheet of black paper cut to 6” x 18”. Using white chalk pastel (no pencil sketching first) create trees by drawing an upside down “v” first for the top of the tree along the left side of your paper (forming each tree LEFT to RIGHT as you draw them).

Then draw lines going up and down only (overlapping the lines as you draw and leaving a jagged edge along the bottom).

Leave some black paper showing in between the next series of tree branches.

Then move onto your next tree. Create trees that are close together (they can actually overlap too) with varying heights all across the paper.

Also blow on the paper after each section of branches are complete to get rid of any residual chalk dust.

DAY 4: Cut out trees and glue on

Finish creating trees if needed. Once complete, cut out the trees as one piece (keeping them all attached near the bottom) but leave a small bit of black paper showing all around each tree as you cut. About a 1/2” all around trees.

Then flip over carefully and glue the back all over with a glue stick (making sure to cover the entire backside, especially the edges).

Then place along the bottom of the black northern lights paper lining the edges up before placing down. Make sure the paper is facing the right way first—-so that the northern lights are trailing UP not down. Press along the very bottom only—where there aren’t any trees—to attach, and then use another CLEAN sheet of 12×18” white paper to then lay on top of the whole thing (sort of roll it on over the trees) and press where the trees are to help reduce any smudging of the trees while gluing into place.

***TIP***To get rid of any smudges / finger prints afterwards, wipe your fingers on a damp paper towel with water (or use a baby wipe) lightly rub your fingers together for a second or two to get rid of excess moisture, then use your slightly dampened (juuuust barely!) finger to wipe away any smudges you don’t want—— again, that trick really works great!

LEARNING GOALS:

Students can create a sense of space within their art, when creating the size and placement of their trees

Students can see how art and other disciplines, like science, can be interdisciplinary and helps generate new ideas and supports creative thinking

Students can demonstrate an understanding on how to blend colors, create texture, and show value changes using chalk pastels

https://youtu.be/w7SMAeyaTM0?feature=shared

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed reading this post and try it out with your class at school or at home with your own kids!
Please tag me and refer back to this website if you are sharing your creations on any social media, thank you!

I’ll be posting a NEW art lesson for 5th grade very soon!
If you haven’t already— please consider subscribing to this site below! Thank you ❤️

And to all you teachers out there reading this, I hope you have a great rest of your February break!!! Enjoy!

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11 Valentine’s Day lessons -and a little something extra!

January 31, 2026 No Comments

Many of these lessons are only a 2 day Art project (40 min. each)! These lessons are versatile and can be taught to multiple grade levels (for example for K/1, 1/2, 2/3 or 4/5

Chris Uphues inspired Hearts – 1st Grade

Artwork inspired by artist Chris Uphues. The above images are my teacher examples. This is a new lesson this year that I’m doing, (lesson inspo from art teacher Cassie Stephens). Students are currently working on this and I’ll be adding this lesson with directions and photos of students finished artwork on the page “1st grade art lessons” once complete

Super simple 2 day lesson, using markers to outline the inside of each heart after sharpie, then applying water with a paintbrush to turn the marker into “paint” to fill in the hearts! Then add confetti all around with watercolors!

2. Hand Holding Flowers – Special Ed. (This lesson would be great for Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd Grade too!)

To learn more on how we made these, click on “Special Education” under the drop down menu and scroll down!

3. Mixed-Media Hearts – Special Ed. (This lesson would be great for Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd Grade too!)

I love how these come out! So colorful and I love the mix of materials. It’s also an easy 2 day lesson you can squeeze in before Valentine’s Day!

To learn more on how we created these Mixed-Media Hearts, click on Special Education from my drop down menu and scroll down

4. Rainbow Heart Cards – Special Education

This lesson uses model magic and a little white paint. Kids dip one finger in the paint to print little hearts on the background. Easy lesson that would be great for Kindergarten as well! To learn more, click on Special Education under the drop down menu and scroll down!

5. Love is in the Air – 1st Grade (I’m teaching this to my Kindergarten students this year. This could easily be for K, 1, or 2!)

To learn how we created these go to 1st Grade Art Lessons under the drop down menu and scroll down. I also have the (PDF) plane template in my TpT store to print out! Link available under that lesson

6. Love Monsters– 2nd Grade

This could be a great lesson for K-3! To learn how we created them, click on 2nd Grade Art Lessons under the drop down menu, and scroll down

7. 3D Hearts – 3rd Grade

This is a Fun 2 day art lesson that you can do before V Day as well! To learn how we made these 3D hearts click on 3rd Grade Art Lessons and scroll down

8. Box of Chocolates– 4th Grade (This can be for grades 3-5)

Kids love scratch art- and with this lesson students make their own scratch art with oil pastels and crayon! Painting the background would be fun too! To learn more about this lesson, click on 4th Grade Art Lessons and scroll down!

9. A Love Yourself Lesson – 5th Grade

Valentine’s Day is all about love- so why not show some love for yourself!

This 5th grade lesson could easily work with 4th grade as well. Below is a double sided sheet of “I Am” statements I made to use with this lesson. You can find this in my TpT store to print out for your class too! Link under the lesson in 5th grade art lessons

To learn more about this lesson and see more student artwork, click on 5th Grade Art Lessons under the drop down menu and scroll down

10. Mixed–Media Bouquet of Flowers – 5th Grade

Because why not include this as a V-day project? Flowers and Valentine’s Day go hand-in -hand! ***suggestion*** maybe students can design their vase with hearts / reds and pinks! Or maybe the clay flower heads are heart shaped with petals coming out from the hearts! ❤️🩷❤️ It would also be a great lesson for Mother’s Day!!

To learn more on how we made these Mixed-Media Bouquet of Flowers, click on 5th Grade Art Lessons and scroll down

11. Enlarged Flower Drawings – 4th Grade

Mayyyyyybee not the most “Valentine’s Day-ish” ——but again….flowers! Plus students love this one, (and it’s one of my favorites too)!

Students created these beautiful close up flower drawings using oil pastels. This lesson is inspired by artist Georgia O’Keefe

To learn more and see additional artwork by my 4th graders, click on 4th Grade Art Lessons and scroll down.

I’m currently toying around with the idea of doing lessons 10 + 11 for my schools upcoming 4th grade “Spring Student Celebration ” this May.

4th grade gets the spotlight for this and specialists put together a night of : art on display, music performances, fun physical ed. games and activities, and library/media for parents and students.

So I’m thinking one school will do the “mixed-media bouquet of flowers” and one school will do the “enlarged flower drawings”.

I’m thinking of using my “well loved” 12 year old messy mats (that are 18”x24”) as an option for cut paper for the textured table or vase instead of just splatter painting or bubble wrap printing. Wouldn’t that look SO amazing!? I guess you’d have to see my messy mats first — but I think they are pretty spectacular all on their own. So many layers of colors, mark making, and texture!!

I’d do this lesson with only ONE of my two schools I teach at though.

At one school I’m on a cart teaching art, and at my second school I have an actual art room.

So being on a cart, and having (4!) 4th grade classes, low storage space for all the clay flowers, and not having enough messy mats really makes it problematic to make happen.

So limiting that lesson to just one 4th grade class (26 students) at my other school, where I have an art room, makes much more sense (ease of paint distribution, storing clay flowers, and enough messy mats for each student to collage into their artwork).

Plus it’ll be awesome to showcase 2 different flower lessons on display, instead of just one!

Still trying to figure this out though…..what are your thoughts? Do you think it’s a good idea? Or would my other 4th graders be jealous they didn’t do the lesson with the clay flowers? ALL 4th grade artwork would be on display together at just one school, so families and students will see them both on display in the same space. Drop me a line and let me know what you think in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

Alsoooooo…..Be sure to check out my winter art lessons post for some ideas if you haven’t seen it yet (type in “Winter Art Lessons” in my search page ) because sadly ….it IS still winter. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring! Or at LEAST some warmer temps!! It’s been in the single digits here lately! (My favorite is 80 or higher!)

Please also check out my new “Winter Northern Lights” lesson under 5th grade art lessons! (It’s the first lesson you’ll see on that page at the top). I have a YouTube video for that lesson posted there too. It’s one of my favorite videos I’ve ever made, and actually definitely one of my top favorite art lessons I’ve ever taught!

Check out my page “Teaching art from a Cart ” (under my drop down menu on the main page) if any of you art teachers out there reading this are curious to see what the heck I wrote… or someone who hasn’t read it yet just cuz’…. OR are losing their art room next year??!!? …. OR are going into the profession soon! Lots of OR’s there haha, but lots of info on that page that could be helpful!

And to cap off this post—( well not quite) — I’d like to share a few super cute NEWLY finished “catching snowflakes portraits” by my 2nd grade students! You can view more and learn more about this oil pastel drawing lesson under “2nd grade art lessons” under the main menu. I am actually doing this lesson currently with my 2nd AND 3rd graders this year. As you can see below, adding braces was very popular with these kiddos! I’ll be posting more of these once all finished in the next week or so

Since it’s almost Valentines Day and I love a good rom-com here are 4 rom com’s I highly recommend (if you’re someone like me who’s into a good rom-com).
How many times can I say rom-com?

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021) on Prime
Timer (2009) (Tribeca Festival Premiere) on Prime
Love Across Time (2024) on Prime
Love at First Sight (2023) on Netflix

Thank you for visiting my website today! ❤️ I’m also @mammalovespeaches on Instagram in case you wanted to check that out and follow along there too ❤️

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New Winter Artwork from Grades K, 1, 2 and 3!

January 19, 2026 2 Comments

First I want to say hello to all my new subscribers 🙂

89 NEW subscribers in the past month! WOW! A BIG thank you and welcome!!

Below is a collection of newly finished winter artwork!

Kindergarten- Snowy Owl Collages

Such a fun lesson that my students really enjoyed! To learn more about these Snowy Owl Collages click on Kindergarten Art Lessons under the main menu and scroll down. These are actually at the top of that page! Detailed lesson directions, photos of steps along the way, and learning goals are posted!

1st Grade – Mixed-Media Snow Globes

To view more Mixed-Media Snow Globes and read how we made them along with step-by-step photos, and learning goals, click on 1st Grade Art Lessons under the main menu and scroll down

2nd Grade – Winter Bears In Sweaters

To view detailed directions, with more photos of student artwork and see the learning goals for this lesson, click on “2nd Grade Art Lessons” under the main menu and scroll down!

3rd Grade – Polar Bears

This is a fun 3 (40 minute) art lesson that has been a huge hit year after year! Black oil pastel, liquid watercolors, and salt

I hope you enjoyed looking at my latest K-3 students artwork! I’ll be making a new post on 8 Valentine’s Day lessons later this week!

Also my 4th graders are currently working on drawing Victorian houses (Victorian Architecture) and 5th are working on “Winter Northern Lights” and I will post photos of students finished artwork here as soon as they finish (which is VERY soon!)

If you haven’t seen it yet, please also check out my previous post below on 5th grade “winter northern lights” which also has my YouTube video! My detailed instructions with step-by-step photos and learning goals are posted under “5th Grade Art Lessons” as well!

Thanks so much for visiting my website today! ❤️