3rd Grade Elements of Art Lessons Elements of Art Projects Reptile Art Activity

This no prep, ready-to-use Grade 3 Elements of Art Unit teaches the Elements of Art through a theme kids love: REPTILES. It includes a video introduction, step-by-step art tutorials for each element, a viewing art lesson and choice-based art projects that encourage play, creativity and exploration.

It is made for classroom teachers and homeschool parents, including those who are new to teaching art. Print-and-go pages, clear visual examples and full lesson plans make it easy to deliver quality art instruction without the overwhelm.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “I have switched to a Christian school where I am required to teach art. As someone who is used to having a dedicated art teacher in the public school system, I was a little lost of where to even start. This is an awesome resource...plus we have a class pet that's a reptile so that was just an added bonus!! :)” Amanda S.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDFS IN A FOLDER)

• Unit plan with the scope and sequence
• Introduction video on the Elements of Art, why artists use them, and the Reptiles theme
• 2 introductory lessons with full lesson plans and worksheets for practicing each element before the full artworks
• 7 fully planned art lesson tutorials, one per element, each with a complete lesson plan (hook, participation strategies, steps for instruction and conclusion), step-by-step tutorial, artwork examples, display sign, rubric, assessment and reflection: Line (alligator line art with patterns and emphasis), Color/Color (sea turtle color wheel and color mixing, with a sea turtle poem), Value (ball python in oil pastel and watercolor), Shape (leopard gecko with a geometric and organic shape mosaic background, with an article on shapes and leopard geckos), Form (lizard hatchling and egg in soft pastel using tint, hue and shade), Space (alligators in a swamp using size and placement for depth) and Texture (bearded dragon in soft pastel using line to create texture)
• 7 choice-based art lessons, one per element, each with a lesson plan, planning, rough draft and artwork pages, rubric and reflection pages (no examples, so students develop their own ideas)
• Viewing Art lesson where students study an ancient Greek pot, identify the Elements of Art, and listen to a poem and a reading about Art Through the Ages
• Choice-based end of unit art project using two Elements of Art and the Reptiles theme, with student-led criteria
• Black-line printables and a binder cover

HOW TO USE IT

Review the unit plan for the teaching sequence, then start with the introductory lessons and video. Print a master copy and organize it in a binder or tub, photocopy student pages in advance, and pick a lesson to teach. Each lesson plan walks you through the hook, participation strategies, steps to teach and conclusion.

The choice-based lessons can come before a tutorial so students can play with mediums and techniques first, or after it to reinforce concepts through student-led investigation. The unit covers these National Art Standards (Grade 3): VA:Cr1.1.3a, VA:Cr1.2.3a, VA:Cr2.1.3a, VA:Cr2.2.3a, VA:Cr3.1.3a, VA:Pr5.1.3a, VA:Re.7.1.3a, VA:Re.7.2.3a, VA:Re8.1.3a and VA:Cn10.1.3a.

FAQ

How long does each lesson take?

The introductory lessons take 1 to 2 periods (if 30 to 45 minutes). Each art project takes 1 to 3 art periods, each choice-based lesson about 1 period, the Viewing Art activity 30 to 40 minutes, and the end of unit project 1 to 3 periods.

Do I have to teach every lesson?

No. You can pick and choose lessons to shorten the unit, or teach it all and use it for an entire semester. Length also depends on your teaching style and your class.

Do I need art experience to teach it?

No. Each lesson plan tells you how to teach the lesson from start to finish, with visual examples to support students.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS (4)

★★★★ “These art activities are thoughtfully designed to make it easy for teachers to lead art lessons.” Katlyn C.

★★★★ “These art activities were very well designed for teachers to easily instruct art lessons.” Tori F.

★★★★ “These are so fun and go with our science project.” Nicole P.

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 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 your own classroom or homeschool program, with your own students only, and purchase additional licenses for multiple educators.

YOU MAY NOT: use it on Outschool, post or share it online (including on blogs or websites), email, distribute or give it away for free, or convert it into another format or sell it.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic