Back to School About Me Art Lesson Name Art Project All About Me Art Activity

This Back to School About Me Art Lesson has students create bold name art in large block letters, surround it with a decorative border, divide the background into sections, and fill those spaces with images and patterns that represent who they are. It combines All About Me art, name art, zen doodle patterns and mixed media techniques in one project.

It is made for classroom teachers, art teachers and homeschool educators. Students use pencil sketching, wax crayon, pencil crayon, washable felt markers and water to make a colorful, personal piece that is ready to display. It suits Meet the Teacher Night, classroom displays and early community building, because students are showing who they are through art.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “All of my K-5 students loved this project. It was easy to scaffold for different ages.” Bridget L.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)

• Artastic Art Lessons Intro Page with simple prep and teaching guidance
• Lesson Plan Page 1 with the lesson focus, materials, big ideas, learning target, competencies and a preview of the finished project
• Lesson Plan Page 2 with a Teacher Does Student Does teaching sequence
• Art Rubric for execution of project, creativity and originality, evidence of process, and responsibility
• Art Project Reflection Page for student and teacher scoring, strengths and areas to improve
• Example Artwork Page to show before the lesson as your hook
• Step by Step Draw Handout showing the full process at a glance
• Zen Doodle Patterns Quick Reference Page with easy line and doodle ideas for the background sections
• Poster or Title Page to introduce the project theme
• 20 Detailed Step by Step Tutorial Pages with visual and written instructions

HOW TO USE IT

Project the PDF, print the handouts students need, demonstrate the lesson yourself, and show the example artwork before students begin. Students lightly print their name, turn it into bold block letters, add a thick border and a curved decorative frame, then divide the background into sections. They draw images that represent who they are in three sections and fill the other three with line patterns.

Next they trace the name with black wax crayon, color it, complete the mini compositions with pencil crayon, trace the pattern sections with washable felt markers, and paint over those markers with water for a soft, faded painted effect.

Students practice: name art and block lettering, visual identity, mixed media techniques, zen doodle pattern drawing, pencil sketching, wax crayon outlining and coloring, pencil crayon coloring, washable marker and water blending, visual storytelling, creative choices, and the elements of art (line, shape, space, texture, color, form and value).

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Classroom teachers, art teachers, homeschool educators and substitute teachers who want a personal, creative Back to School art lesson.

What do students make?

An About Me name art project with large block letters, a decorative border, three sections filled with personal images and three sections filled with zen doodle style patterns.

What materials are needed?

Pencil, eraser, black felt, washable felt markers, card stock or watercolor paper, wax crayons, pencil crayons, paint brush and water.

What art concepts are taught?

Name art, visual storytelling, pattern drawing, mixed media, and the elements of art: line, shape, space, texture, color, form and value.

How long does it take?

Usually 2 to 3 classes, depending on student age, class length and how much time students spend on the personal images, patterns and color work.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She was the featured cover educator in OCO Magazine for October 2025. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS (9)

★★★★ “Great resource! Thank you so much! Highly recommend” Mrs. C.

★★★★ “This was a great back-to-school activity, and my students are still displaying their name cards in their cubbies. Very cute.” Alicia C.

★★★★ “Kids loved it.” Teresa K.

★★★ “Great!” Samantha S.

★★★★ “Great resource!” TallTeachinInFlatsChic

★★★★ “My students enjoyed this resource!” Yota K.

★★★★ “This project is so fun and engaging. The resources included made it so easy to put use in the classroom. Thank you!” Shelley T.

★★★★★ “Awesome” Debbie P.