Back to School Art Lesson Goal Setting First Week Art All About Me Art Activity

This My Wishes art project is a Back to School goal setting art lesson. Students draw a large cloud with the words My Wishes, divide the background into sections, fill the spaces with illustrations of their hopes for the school year, and finish with pattern work and color.

It blends All About Me art, goal setting, line design and mixed media for classroom teachers, art teachers and homeschool educators. Students use pencil, black marker, pencil crayon and washable felt markers painted with water, and the finished pieces make a meaningful beginning-of-year display that helps build classroom community.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “Great back to school resource. My 6th graders enjoyed this very much and were very engaged.” Donna V.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)

• Artastic Art Lessons Intro Page with prep and teaching tips
• Lesson Plan Page 1: focus, materials, big ideas, learning target, competencies, inquiry question and a preview of the finished art
• Lesson Plan Page 2: a detailed Teacher Does / Student Does sequence
• Art Rubric for execution, creativity and originality, evidence of process, and responsibility
• Art Project Reflection Page for teacher and student
• Zen Doodle Patterns Quick Reference Page
• Example Artwork Page
• Step-by-Step Draw Handout showing the whole process at a glance
• Poster or Title Page
• 15 Step-by-Step Tutorial Pages with visual and written directions

HOW TO USE IT

Show the example artwork as your hook, then project the PDF or demonstrate the lesson yourself and print the handouts students need. Students sketch a large cloud and sun, add My Wishes in bold box-style letters, and divide the background into sections. They fill the end sections with zen doodle patterns and the central sections with illustrations of their wishes for the year.

Next, they outline in marker, build a blue value gradient around the cloud with pencil crayon, and color the other sections. Finally, they trace selected areas with washable felt marker and paint over the lines with water so the marker bleeds into a soft painted effect. Along the way, students practice lettering, illustration, pattern, value 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, reflective Back to School art lesson.

What do students make?

A My Wishes for Back to School artwork with a large cloud title, sun rays, line pattern sections and illustrated spaces that show their hopes for the school year.

What materials are needed?

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

How long does this lesson take?

Usually 2 to 3 classes, depending on student age, class length, drawing confidence and how much time you spend on illustrations, color and reflection.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★ “My students loved this resource!” Marshell N.

★★★★ “Loved doing this activity with my students!” Amy H.

★★★★★ “Thanks, looks like a great resource!” Jamie S.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist, educator and resource creator who has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured educator on the cover of OCO Magazine for the October 2025 edition. She designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. 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 the clip art as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations, and 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