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