Back to School Directed Drawing Art Activities First Week Of School Art Lessons

This Back to School 10 Directed Drawings booklet gives you 10 school-themed, step-by-step drawing lessons for the first week of school. Students follow visual guides to draw an apple, pencil, dinosaur with pencil, artist owl, frog with an idea, mouse writing, cat drawing, school lettering, a student playing soccer and a student painting.

It suits grades K to 5 in elementary classrooms, homeschool, sub plans, art on a cart and general education. The clear, predictable steps help students feel successful on day one while they practice line control, shapes and the elements of art, and give you a calm, structured way to set routines and expectations.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★★ “The 1st through 4th graders each made a pencil drawing. We then watercolored with 3 techniques. They LOVED their pencils! Thanks! Absolutely Fabulous!” Susan V.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF)

• Teacher Lesson Plan Pages with learning outcomes and competencies, a materials list, Socratic discussion questions and a "Teacher Is / Student Does" teaching structure
• 10 Directed Drawing Lessons, each with 6 step-by-step visual drawing boxes and a matching student drawing page
• Optional Example Posters for setting expectations
• Booklet Format you can print double-sided, or use as individual pages

HOW TO USE IT

Print double-sided and staple into booklets or place in duotangs, print single pages to glue into sketchbooks, or project the steps and have students draw on blank paper. Use it as a first-week art series, morning work, sub plans, early finisher activities, sketchbook practice or drawing warm-ups.

You choose the coloring medium: crayons, markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolor or tempera, or rotate mediums to introduce materials through the first month. Students build line quality, shape recognition, visual sequencing, observation, fine motor skills and confidence in drawing, and the finished pieces make a cheerful hallway display.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Elementary classroom teachers, art teachers, homeschool families, substitute teachers and school programs. It works in grades K to 5 and can be adapted for older elementary students.

How long does each drawing take?

Each directed drawing can be completed in 1 class period. With detailed coloring and background work, it may take 2 to 3 classes depending on age, skill level, behavior, teaching style and time available.

Is it editable?

No. It is a non-editable PDF.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron is the creator behind Ms Artastic, an art educator, curriculum designer and entrepreneur who makes art education engaging, accessible and confidence-building for all learners. She has been featured on NBC LX and was the Featured Educator on the cover of OCO Magazine (October 2025 edition). She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★★ “Good” Jennifer T.

★★★★★ “Super cute!” Heather M.

★★★★★ “class loved it” catherine R.

★★★★★ “My third graders love doing directed drawings.” Christy H.

★★★★★ “Lots of fun drawings to help with the first few weeks... great to have on hand!” angela R.

★★★★★ “Thanks!” Jessica T.

★★★★★ “super cute!” Black B.

★★★★★ “Thank you!!” Jeanette G.

★★★★★ “So fun for the kids!” Jackie D.

★★★★★ “Awesome product” Christopher L.

★★★★★ “Thank you” TDS C.

★★★★★ “Love” Jesi B.

TERMS OF USE

This resource is copyrighted by Ms Artastic (2018). All images and lessons are copyrighted products. Purchase grants use for one teacher only.

YOU MAY: use it in your classroom or homeschool and print and distribute it to your students. Please purchase additional licenses for colleagues.

YOU MAY NOT: share it digitally with other teachers, upload it to blogs, websites or shared drives, or resell or redistribute it.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic