Principles of Design Worksheets Principles of Design Art Lessons Art Activities

This Principles of Design Workbook is a printable visual art workbook for grades 4 to 12, from upper elementary through middle school and high school. It introduces nine principles: Unity, Variety, Balance, Rhythm, Proportion, Repetition, Movement, Emphasis and Contrast.

Each principle has an information page, a short exploration activity and two hands-on art prompts, so students learn the idea and then use it in their own artwork. It can be choice-based or teacher-directed, and works with whatever art supplies you have, in the classroom, at home, in distance learning or on sub days.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “This was an excellent aid to introduce contrast and balance. I used this as a formative project with my 6th graders. It was really nice to have some well thought out slides with vocabulary and examples of famous art works. As a first year teacher teaching 3 grade levels in a heavy prep class this was so nice to have some help. It also was nice to make see how someone else breaks things down for middle schoolers. Middle school can be difficult because they are so big you forget they are still young and blank slates.” Melissa V.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF, AMERICAN ENGLISH)

• Title Page for booklet printing
• Rubric for assessment
• KWL Chart for what students know, wonder and learn about the Principles of Design
• Reflection Page for after the workbook
• 36 Student Pages: 4 pages for each of the 9 principles (an informational page, an exploration or mini activity, and 2 art lesson prompt pages)

HOW TO USE IT

Print single pages as handouts or sketchbook glue-ins, or assemble the full set into a booklet with the title page and bind it or put it in duotangs. Use it as a student journal, a year-long project, or pages for sub days, early finishers, art journals and remote instruction. Preview the lessons before teaching.

Students can use crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolor, tempera, soft pastels or oil pastels. You can set the medium or let students choose. Activities are easy to adjust to students’ needs and maturity.

FAQ

What grades is it for?

Grades 4 to 12. It is set up so you can scaffold and adapt it for upper elementary students through to high school.

Can I use different art mediums?

Yes. It works as a choice-based or teacher-directed resource. Guide students to one medium or let them choose, including crayons, pencils, markers, paint and pastels.

Does it work for homeschool or remote learning?

Yes. Everything is clearly explained, so it can be used independently or with teacher guidance as part of a homeschool art curriculum or distance learning plan.

Is it editable?

No. It is a non-editable PDF.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★ “Thank you for this resource it worked perfectly in my Art classes!” Maytlind M.

★★★★ “This was very useful in my grade 9 art class, the lessons/activities were engaging” Despina V.

★★★★ “Thank you so much for this resource! It has been very useful with my students!” Laura C.

★★★★ “The Art activities were perfect for teaching Art basics in a Homeschool setting .” Homeschool Of Bel Air

★★★★ “Great resource as always! I used a lot of resources from this seller. I found these worksheets to very versatile. I could use them for sub lessons because the instructions were very clear.” Keisha H.

★★★ “Was very helpful in supporting my adaptive art class. Students enjoyed the activities.” Regina M.

★★★ “seemed to be a good extension to help further understanding of topic” Kristie C.

★★★★ “Love that I can create examples to hang around the room and then leave this for a sub. I also use it when reviewing skills to prepare for the art exam!” ashley S.

★★★★ “These were very useful for my Beginning Art students!” Diane W.

★★★★ “Great!” ScaredOfDragonflies

★★★★ “Simple and easy resource to teach art. Students and I both loved it! You should consider making your resources in French to for us FI teachers. :)” Chantal M.

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 it in your classroom or homeschool setting, bind it into student booklets or print individual sheets, and purchase additional licenses for department or school use.

YOU MAY NOT: upload or distribute this resource publicly, share it across teachers, departments or districts without a license, post it on OutSchool or any other teaching platform, or resell or gift it.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic