top of page

Projects 2020-21 Archive

These projects were specially selected to be done with simple supplies and require no (or little) assistance.  We have kept them available to the public to continue to enjoy.  Below is the key  project information, links, teaching materials and some sample pictures.  Enjoy! 

Shortcuts to projects info:

Turtles

Inspired by Turtle Alley

Turte%20-%20Buffy1_edited.jpg

Project Description:

Turtle Alley is an art-filled alley in Malaysia that raises awareness of their local endangered turtles and other turtles.  Student artwork line the walls and sidewalk and entrance.   Students will learn more about Turtle Alley and turtles.  Then they will draw and decorate their own turtle. 

Key Words: Community Beautification, Mosaic.  Special thanks to: Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia and Dr. Chan Eng Heng for use of their pictures and all of their work!

Suggested Supplies:

Paper, pencil, eraser, something to color with (markers, colored pencils, or crayons), black marker (optional)

Samples:

Main Student Project Resources: 

K-2 Video Lesson

3-5 Step 1 - Video Lesson Intro (watch and learn!)

3-5 Step 2 - Pick and Draw a Turtle - 6 options: 1 2 3 4 5 6

3-5 Step 3 - Decorate (See samples for ideas - no video except how to draw a turtle shell pattern)

Turtle Decoration Examples Capture.PNG
Turtle Options Capture.PNG

Additional Teacher Resources

Google Slides Lesson  (similar to the main project videos but in slide form)

Printable Lesson K-1 (a few pages you may adapt & use if you don't want a video lesson.  Just How to Draw and ideas to color a turtle) 

Printable Lesson 2  (if you don't want to give a video.  slightly modified, and less pictures)  

Printable Lesson 3-5  (if you don't want to give a video.  slightly modified, and less pictures)

Turtles

Behind My Mask

Inspired by Behind My Mask: A Super Kid Self-Portrait by Cassi Stephens

Behind_My_Mask_Lead_Picture.PNG
IMG_3047.JPG
IMG_3049.JPG

Project Description:

What did people do to record what they looked like before photography?  Students will learn some history about Portraits and Self-Portraits.  Then students will draw their own self-portrait with a twist!  At first it looks like you are wearing a mask, and then you can open the paper and see what is behind the mask.  Grades K-1:  This project requires some adult assistance for the folding.  If you prefer, there is a No Fold project alternative to draw a basic self-portrait with no assistance needed. Key Words: Portrait, Self-Portrait Special thanks to: Cassie Stephens and her project Behind My Mask: A Super Kid Self-Portrait

Suggested Supplies:

Paper, pencil, eraser, something to color with (markers, colored pencils, or crayons), black marker (optional)

Samples:

Additional Teacher Resources

Google Slides Lesson  (similar to the main project videos but in slide form)

Printable Lesson K-1 (a few very basic coloring pages/ideas you may adapt & use if you don't want a video lesson.) 

Printable Lesson 2  (if you don't want to give a video.  Slightly modified, less pictures)  

Printable Lesson 3-12  (if you don't want to give a video.  Slightly modified, less pictures)  

Optional Extensions

Folding Surprise Videos - YouTube Channel with lots of variations like sharks, flamingos, and ice-cream

Picasso Self Portrait

Lego Self Portrait

Behind My Mask

Galaxy Skies

Inspired by Jen Aranyi

Sample_Circle_Snowman-1.PNG
IMG_3070_edited.jpg

Project Description:

The sky can be filled with such beautiful colors, especially at sunrise and sunset.  Students will see some examples of beautiful skies, and then will create a galaxy sky over a mountain landscape in the style of contemporary artist Jen Aranyi.  They can create a simple scene, and blend or layer colors to make an amazing sky.  The lesson will work with best with crayons or colored pencils, but markers can work.  Special thanks to: Jen  Aranyi at  https://jenaranyi.com/ or her wonderful artwork and project idea, and letting us share it!  And Jennifer Stenta https://www.sequoiabluearts.com/ - for adapting and teaching the project for HOA!

Note: This art project/style works well for bookmarks, holiday cards, or ornaments.  If you like that idea you are welcome to suggest it to your students.  The suggestion and sample picture appears also appear on the project pages as well. 

Suggested Supplies:

Paper, pencil, eraser, something to color with (colored pencils or crayons preferred, but markers can work)

Optional supplies - black marker, bowl or something round to help draw a circle

Samples:

Main Student Project Resources: 

K-5 Video Lesson 

6-12 Step 1 - Video Lesson Intro

6-12 Step 2: Crayon/Pencil Technique OR Follow Aranyi Video OR your own scene inspired by Aranyi

BONUS: 3-5 Video Lesson using Marker Blending Technique (if you have watercolor paper and markers) OR Aranyi Video using Markers

Extra Variations

IMG_3070_edited.jpg
Holes2.JPG
Sandi4.jpg

Create galaxy skies bookmarks, ornaments or cards

Makes stars with holes
Poke small holes into the sky, and put by a window to see the sun light up your 'stars'.

Create something different in front of a galaxy sky 
(like a car, house or a unicorn!)

Additional Teacher Resources

PPT Slides Lesson  (similar to the main project videos but in slide form)

Printable Lesson K-1 (a few very basic coloring pages/ideas you may adapt & use if you don't want a video lesson.) 

Printable Lesson 2  (if you don't want to give a video.  Modified, less pictures)  

Printable Lesson 3-12  (if you don't want to give a video.  Modified, less pictures)  

Galaxy Skies

Elephants

Inspired by "The Elephants"

by Salvador Dalí

Teacher Notes

elephants - classic.jpg
IMG_3158.JPG

Project Description:

The surreal artwork "The Elephants" is the inspiration for this project.  Students will be introduced to this artwork and to its creator, Salvador Dalí.  They will also learn about Surrealism, creating art based on dreams and imagination.  After, they can create their own artwork inspired by "The Elephants".  Instructions will be given on how to draw an elephant with very long skinny legs, but they are invited to vary it as they wish.  For instance, they can create another animal with very long legs, or an elephant with normal legs. 

*Tip 1:

Some great videos bring Dali's elephants to life.  They are listed on the project pages as optional extensions.  2-12: students may find them on their own since they are very visible on the project page.  K-1: the links are just listed under the video - so kids aren't confused/distracted from the main project.  Feel free to tell them about them if you want.  

**Tip 2:

If you watch the video with your class, you may want to PAUSE on the screen with the swan picture with the elephants hiding.  Some kids like to try to try to spot them!

Suggested Supplies:

Paper, pencil, eraser, something to color with (markers, colored pencils, or crayons), black marker (optional) 

Samples:

Main Student Project Resources: 

K-12 Video Lesson 

Bonus Videos that bring Salvador Dali's elephants to life:

(1) Salvador Dali's "The Elephants" Animated By: Branden Craghead

(2) Dreams of Dalí: a virtual reality experience by Goodby Silverstein

Additional Teacher Resources

PPT Slides Lesson  (similar to the main project videos but in slide form)

Printable Lesson K-1 (basic how to draw/ideas page/coloring pages you may adapt & use if you don't want a video lesson.) 

Printable Lesson 2  (if you don't want to give a video.  Modified, less pictures)  

Printable Lesson 3-12  (if you don't want to give a video.  Modified, less pictures)  

Optional Extensions

What is Surrealism - Tate Kids Video

Dreams of Dali: 360º Video by The Dali Museum -5:09 min. Find the lobster phone at 1:25.  Elephants start around 1:30 and continue on/off thru the rest of the video.  With a smartphone you can freely look around!

Elephants
Kawaii - Molly example.jpg

Kawaii Doodles

Project Description:

Kawaii is the Japanese word meaning something that is cute.  Kawaii art is known for characters with rounded shapes and simplistic features.  You can see Kawaii style art on t-shirts, stickers, toys, advertisements, and so many more places!  Famous Kawaii style characters are Hello Kitty, Pusheen and Pikachu.  Drawing Kawaii doodles has become very popular.  In this lesson students will get to have fun doodling!  K-1 will be directed to draw simple characters lined up.    2-12 will be given some variations, with extra videos with more detailed steps to follow if they prefer.  Coloring is optional.  

Supply Tip: K-1 video suggests a ruler or book or something to help draw the straight line, but it can also just be drawn free-hand.

Suggested Supplies:

Paper, pencil, eraser, something to color with (markers, colored pencils, or crayons), black marker (optional) + ruler or book to help draw a straight line (highly suggested but optional)  

Samples:

K-2d.JPEG
K-2b.jpg
K-2c.JPEG
Website Sample1a.PNG
Website Sample1b.PNG
Website Sample2.PNG

Main Student Project Resources: 

K-1 Video Lesson 

2-12 Step 1: Video Lesson Intro (with warm-up doodles),

2-12 Step 2: Pick a video to follow or do your own:

(1) Single and Simple Kawaii Doodles

(2) Kawaii Story Step by Step

(3) Kawaii Explosion

Additional Teacher Resources

PPT Slides Lesson  (similar to the main project videos but in slide form)

Lesson Plan Document 2-12 (geared for adults to learn and teach without video or slides)

Printable Lesson K-1 (basic how to draw/ideas page/coloring pages you may adapt & use if you don't want a video lesson.) 

Printable Lesson 2-12  (if you don't want to give a video.  Modified, less pictures.)  

Optional Extensions

  • Watch:  Boy Told Off For Doodles Becomes Restaurant Artist.   A great story about a boy that loves to doodle.  He is now known as "The Doodle Boy".

  • ​Create:  Kawaii-Doodle-a-day Challenge - challenge yourself or your family to doodle a character every day for a week, or even a month!  You can make your own or find ideas on the internet.  There are 100s of examples on the internet.  Do them on the same sheet of paper to collect them, or start a small notebook and do a new page each day!

  • ​Learn:  "how-to" videos, ideas, and books :  with adult help, you can find 100s of Kawaii Doodle videos, ideas, and books on-line!  Keep on doodling! 

Kawaii Doodles

Wavy Paper
 

Shade - Colored Pencil Quick.JPG

Project Description:

Students will learn about Optical Illusions Art (Op Art) and then get to make their own Wavy Paper optical Illusion.  Optical illusions use our eyes to trick our brains.   Following step-by-step instructions, students will make their paper look wavy.  At the end there is a optional bonus 'trick'.  They can add small cut-out of a person and make it appear they are falling into the paper.  K-2 has a shorted background section, and simpler samples.  Younger students have needed some  assistance following the drawing steps.  3-12 has a slightly longer background section, and more sample variations.  3-12 also has a bonus 'Exploding Shapes' version if they want to do more.  

Supply Tip: The video suggests a ruler or something to help draw the straight line, but it can also just be drawn free-hand.

Suggested Supplies:

Paper, pencil, something to color with (markers, colored pencils, or crayons),

black marker (or pencil or crayon),  optional: ruler  (or something to help draw a straight line)

Samples: (more farther below too)