Yayoi Kusama Art Lesson Apple Art Project First Week Art Lesson Famous Artist

This Yayoi Kusama art lesson has students create a bold apple art project inspired by Kusama's iconic repeating dot patterns, while exploring value, tint and shade. It looks striking on display and is structured so students feel successful from the start.

It is made for classroom teachers, art teachers and homeschool educators, including those who are not art specialists. Students learn about a real contemporary artist, talk about artistic style, follow guided steps and finish with reflection and an artist statement. The lesson opens with a Picture Puzzle Hook and a Whiteboard Splash prompt, and includes a reading about Yayoi Kusama.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “This Yayoi Kusama-inspired apple art lesson is a fantastic way to introduce students to contemporary art while allowing them to explore their creativity! The lesson is easy to follow, and the project is engaging for students in grades 3-6. Students love the opportunity to create their own vibrant, polka-dotted apple artwork inspired by Kusama’s iconic style. It’s a fun way to teach pattern-making and color exploration, and the project is perfect for developing both fine motor skills and artistic confidence. Highly recommend this resource for a creative and educational start to the school year!” Linda R.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Lesson plan pages with lesson overview, materials, hook, participation strategy and standards based learning focus
• Picture Puzzle Hook
• Whiteboard Splash discussion prompt about Kusama's style
• Artist reading about Yayoi Kusama
• Step by step how to make pages with visual and text descriptions for every step
• Example artwork / poster sample
• Rubric
• KWL chart
• Art reflection pages
• Compare and contrast reflection
• Goal setting page
• Artist's statement pages
• 3 Stars and a Wish reflection
• Artwork postcard activity
• Display support for showcasing student work

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

Students explore Yayoi Kusama, painting values, tint, hue and shade, and pattern and repetition as they paint an apple with dots in Kusama's style. They also practice class discussion, art analysis and written reflection.

Project the step by step pages for whole group instruction, use them as your own demonstration guide, or print the support pages for students. The finished work suits bulletin boards and hallway displays, and the lesson also works for art sub plans, art centers and homeschool.

FAQ

Who is this for?

Classroom teachers, art teachers and homeschool educators who want a famous artist lesson with strong visual results.

What art concepts are taught?

Yayoi Kusama, painting values, tints, shades and repeating dot patterns, plus reflection on artistic choices through written response pages and artist statements.

What is included beyond the art project?

The lesson plan, hook, artist reading, KWL, rubric, reflection pages, artist statement and step by step guided visuals.

How long will this project take?

Typically 2 to 3 classes, depending on student age, skill level, class length, behavior, teaching style and how much time you spend on the reading, discussion and reflection.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★ “My students love art. This was a great project to add to their art portfolios.” Rya H.

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 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 this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Clip art may be used 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