Back to School Art Project Glue Bottle Drawing Lesson First Week Art Activity

This Back to School Glue Bottle Line Art Project starts the school year with color while building classroom community and introducing the Elements of Art: Line. Students create a bold, colorful glue bottle artwork with expressive line patterns, color and texture, using felt markers on thick paper.

It is made for art teachers, classroom teachers and homeschool families teaching Grades 1 to 5. Students begin with a reading comprehension passage and writing prompts, so the project also builds literacy and vocabulary. The finished pieces make a colorful back to school bulletin board, hallway or Meet the Teacher Night display.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “Can't wait to use this cute art lesson for back to school. The hallways will be so colorful! Thank you” Julie D.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF AND PPT VERSIONS)

• Lesson Plan (2 pages)
• Learning Standards Covered
• Lesson Hook, a picture puzzle about school supplies and their role in creative learning
• About the Theme reading passage about glue bottles, their design history and why they are an essential classroom tool
• Rubric
• Reflection Pages for analyzing the creative process and setting personal artistic goals
• Artist Statement Template
• Display Sign for showcasing finished artwork
• Example Artwork
• Step-by-Step Teacher Instructions and PowerPoint Slides
• Step-by-Step Drawing Guide for Students
• Reading Comprehension Activity with student questions and a teacher answer key
• Sight Word and Tricky Word List related to school supplies and art concepts
• Writing Prompt Activity about favorite school supplies and how art tools help express creativity

This resource uses American English.

HOW TO USE IT

Use it as a first week icebreaker, a creative All About Me activity, a stand-alone introduction to line art, a cross-curricular art and literacy lesson or a no-prep sub plan. The step-by-step instructions, PowerPoint slides and visual examples guide you through each stage, even if you are new to teaching art.

Materials listed in the resource: oil pastels, thick white paper, and watercolor paints or tempera paint cakes. Standards listed: CCSS RL.K.1, RL.1.1, RL.2.3 and National Visual Arts Standards VA:Re8.1.Ka, VA:Cr2.2.3a, VA:Cr2.2.4a, VA:Cr2.1.4a, VA:Cr2.1.5a and VA:Cr2.2.5a.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Art teachers, classroom teachers and homeschool families teaching Grades 1 to 5.

How long will this project take?

Most teachers find it takes 2 to 4 class periods, depending on student age, skill level and how much time you spend on the literacy extensions.

What skills will students practice?

Drawing, expressive linework, color painting with felt markers and composition, plus reading comprehension, vocabulary and reflective writing.

Can this be used as a substitute lesson?

Yes. The clear visuals and step-by-step directions make it easy to leave with a sub.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS (2)

★★★ “Great resource, well designed, engaging, and easy to use in the classroom!” heather 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 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 creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. For clip art, you may use the images as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations. 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