Learn Colors Art Activity Primary Back to School Rainbow Snakes Art Lesson
If you are looking for a bright cheerful way to teach colors to your students, this Back to School art lesson that helps students settle into the classroom while also exploring colors, rainbow art, and creative confidence, this one is such a fun choice. This Rainbow Snake art project is a playful elementary art activity where students create colorful snakes while learning and reinforcing the rainbow in a way that feels hands on, low stress, and exciting for the start of the school year. The resource itself explains that students use felt markers and soft pastels to create a Rainbow Back to School artwork that explores colors and learning colors, making it a strong fit for younger learners and a welcoming first art lesson.
VIDEO ART LESSON
This is a video art lesson. Your download includes the lesson plan and printable pages, plus a "Watch the Video" page with a clickable link and QR code to the step-by-step video tutorial, so you can watch it anytime and show your class again later.
WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING
★★★★ “This was a great project, the kids really enjoyed using different mediums to create the finsihed product. I also found it useful that you offered alternative suggestions for what to use incase items weren't on hand, which can be the case especially with homeschooling! Thank you for sharing your work!” Angelica O.
★★★★ “Thank you for such a wonderful resource! The kids enjoyed it” Gloria M.
★★★ “I intended to use this with K-3 but the older kids saw it and wanted to make some as well. Fun and simple to use project.” Leigh J.
Do you want a Back to School color lesson that helps students practice rainbow colors and create something they are excited to display?
Do you need a video art tutorial that works well for classroom teachers, art teachers, and homeschool families who want a simple art win early in the year?
This one is a great fit.
This Resource Includes (Non-Editable):
- 2 Page Lesson Plan – Teaching pages with the lesson overview, materials, standards, and a clear Teacher Does format for smoother instruction
- Step by Step Drawing Handout – A printable visual guide that helps students draw and build their Rainbow Snakes successfully
- Finished Example Artwork – A bright sample page you can show students to hook interest and set expectations
- Art Rubric – A ready to use rubric focused on project criteria, creativity, craftsmanship, and responsibility
- Art Reflection Pages – Reflection sheets that ask students to describe their art and think about challenges they overcame and the meaning of their work
- Instagram Reflection Page – A creative process reflection page where students imagine sharing their artwork and captioning their process
- Artist Statement Page – A page for students to explain their ideas and artistic choices
WHAT STUDENTS LEARN
Through this Back to School color art lesson, students build early art confidence while practicing key visual art skills:
- Rainbow color recognition
- Color themed art making
- Line and shape exploration
- Creative pattern making
- Following step by step art directions
- Reflection and artistic vocabulary
- Craftsmanship and responsibility
- Confidence during the first weeks of school
The lesson plan explains that students create a Rainbow Back to School Artwork that explores colors and learning colors, while the standards pages support experimentation, skill building, and reflection through artist statements.
WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS
This Back to School art project is easy to love because it feels happy and low pressure while still producing colorful display worthy results. It is especially useful when you want something that helps students ease into art routines, follow along successfully, and create work that brightens the room right away.
PERFECT FOR
- Back to School art lessons
- First week of school art activities
- Rainbow art projects
- Learn colors activities
- Primary art lessons
- Elementary art centers
- Homeschool art
- Video art tutorials
- Low prep art lessons
- Bulletin board displays
FAQ
Q: Who can use this resource?
A: This resource is great for classroom teachers, art teachers, homeschool educators, and substitute teachers. It is especially helpful if you want a colorful Back to School art lesson with lots of guidance and a friendly visual result.
Q: What do students make in this lesson?
A: Students create Rainbow Snakes as a Back to School color art project, using felt markers and soft pastels to explore rainbow colors in a fun and approachable way.
Q: What materials are needed?
A: The lesson plan lists pencil, eraser, black felt, washable felt markers, card stock or thick paper, soft pastels, construction paper, and optional watercolor paints with a brush and water.
Q: How long does this lesson take?
A: This project will usually fit into 1 to 2 classes, depending on student age, pacing, and whether you include all the reflection pages and discussion pieces. This timing is my estimate based on the scope of the included materials and step by step format.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathleen McGiveron, known to teachers and families as Ms Artastic, is an artist, educator, and resource creator who designs engaging visual art lessons for children. Her work has been featured on NBC LX News and she was the featured educator on the cover of OCO Magazine for the October 2025 edition. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast, where she shares art lessons, creative inspiration, and support for educators and families.
Ms Artastic creates resources for classroom teachers, art teachers, and homeschool families who want art to feel exciting, manageable, and meaningful. Her lessons are designed to be clear, structured, and flexible, so teachers feel supported while students still have room to express their own ideas and creativity.
COPYRIGHT TERMS
Images and Lessons are Copyright Products
YOU MAY:
For clip art, you may use them as clip art, website graphics, binder covers, or even bulletin board decorations.
Use this in creative ways! Explore and have as much fun with it as you would like
Buy additional licensing for school use.
YOU MAY NOT:
Use this on OutSchool
Put on your Blog
Share this product with other teachers, administration, or districts. Admin can buy additional licensing.
Sell this product or give it out for free or photocopy it for others.
Sincerely,
Ms Artastic
FILES YOU WILL DOWNLOAD
- Rainbow Snakes Art Lesson - Video Lesson + Lesson Plan - Ms Artastic.zip: the lesson plan and printable pages (PDF), plus a "Watch the Video" page (PDF) with a clickable link and QR code to the step-by-step video tutorial
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