Middle School Sketchbook Art Lessons Projects Sketchbook Prompts Visual Journals
This middle school sketchbook resource for grades 6 to 8 gives you 30 sketchbook assignments and 15 interactive sketchbook pages to launch or refresh a sketchbook routine. It works for art teachers, homeschooling families and sub tub plans.
The prompts are age-appropriate, reflective and a little quirky (yes, there is a "Wreck This Page"), so students explore ideas, build their artistic voice and gain confidence. Each assignment comes as a poster prompt for display and a glue-in prompt for the sketchbook.
WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING
★★★★ “My students loved getting to work in their sketchbooks when they finished their other assignments. There was a good variety of prompts and my students enjoyed how creative they got to be. It was low prep for me, but made a huge impact in my classroom.” Melanie V.
WHAT'S INCLUDED (90 PAGES, NON-EDITABLE, AMERICAN ENGLISH)
- Unit Plan (3 pages) with learning goals, implementation strategies and sketchbook culture-building tips
- Lesson Plan Template with Big Ideas, content breakdown and a Teacher Does / Student Does guide
- Sketchbook Rubric for creativity, risk-taking, craftsmanship and effort
- Sketchbook Grading Sheet (4 to a page)
- How to Start Up a Sketchbook guide
- How to Use Interactive Pages guide
- 15 Interactive Sketchbook Pages and Graphic Organizers: Title Page, Sketchbook Rules, Mediums and Materials to Use, Image-Development Strategies, What Is the Creative Process?, Artist Wishes, About the Artist, Dreams and Nightmares, Ideas to Pursue, What Do I Want to Learn?, I Am Inspired By, Super Epic Doodling Page, Wreck This Page, Photo Clip Prompt, and Reflection: Before / Middle / End
- 30 Sketchbook Assignments, each with a full-page poster prompt (text and image example) and a glue-in prompt (four small prompts per page to cut and paste)
HOW TO USE IT
Project or print the poster prompt to introduce each assignment and set expectations for effort and creativity. Students then glue the matching mini prompt into their sketchbook, so they can refer to it during multi-day work and you can see which prompt goes with which page.
The interactive pages can be glued into an 8.5 x 11 sketchbook or kept in a binder or duotang. Use the set once a week, as daily warm-ups, or in your sub tub.
FAQ
Can I use this for a full quarter or semester?
Yes. With 30 assignments and 15 interactive pages, it can last an entire quarter or more, depending on how often you assign sketchbook work.
Are the prompts right for middle school?
Yes. They were designed for middle school students: a little more reflective and thought-provoking, with enough challenge to keep them invested.
Can it be used in a homeschool setting?
Yes. It gives structure and purpose to an art routine at home and supports self-expression.
What kind of sketchbook do students need?
Any sketchbook 8.5 x 11 inches or larger. You can also use a duotang, folder or 3-ring binder.
ALL TEACHER REVIEWS
★★★★★ “I love this. I'm excited for next school year as this will completely change my classroom approach. I found this so inspirational and helpful in directing my mindset on the use of sketchbooks. I'm really glad I found this resource.” Jessica F.
★★★★★ “As a first time Art teacher this resource was invaluable. Very creative prompts which students loved! Thanks!” Janet B.
★★★★★ “I am a new art teacher! This resource has so many great ideas in it! Thanks!” Leanna R.
★★★★★ “Great for a middle school visual art course!” Kevin S.
★★★★★ “I can not wait to use these in the new school year! Love the samples.” CHRISTOPHER S.
★★★★★ “clear, concise and easy to use!” Sarah K.
★★★★★ “These projects are great. Thanks!” Kerri W.
★★★★ “This was a fun way to get students excited about sketchbooks this semester! My plan is to use it as an extension activity or an emergency sub idea. My students walk in and ask almost daily if they will have any time to work in their sketchbooks that day!” Laura F.
★★★★ “I like how interactive this makes the sketchbooks. The pictures that are associated with the lessons are very much appreciated as well as I am artistically challenged myself. Very little work on my own part is need to prepare these lessons which is always appreciated.” Justine B.
★★★★ “Love the sample drawings of the sketchbook assignments, saves time. Topics are interesting for the students. I like that each sketchbook assignment has a which Element of Art it is meant to practice.” Amanda T.
★★★★ “Great sketchbook prompts to use for distance learning and in class. I like my students to spend 5-10 minutes at the beginning of each class in their sketchbooks, so it is nice to give them various options and these are great. Thanks!” Vicki L.
★★★★ “These sketchbook activities are so fun, love the examples. Easy to follow and great for sub plans.” whitney C.
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 the clip art as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations, and use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Additional licenses are available for school use.
YOU MAY NOT: 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