Back to School Value Grid Drawing Worksheets Back to School Shading Observation

This Back to School Value Grid Drawing resource gives students in Grades 5 to 10 structured practice with value, proportion, drawing accuracy, texture and realistic rendering. Students study a black and white photograph square by square and transfer what they see into a blank grid, paying close attention to light, shadow, subtle value shifts and details.

The images are real back to school photographs taken by Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) of art room tools and school supplies, not clip art or cartoons, which gives the pages a more mature feel for older students. It suits art teachers, classroom teachers, substitute teachers and homeschool families who want students building strong habits and confidence with realism at the start of the year.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF)

• 1 Resource Cover Page
• 1 Instructions and Classroom Ideas Page explaining photograph value grid drawing and its benefits
• 1 How to Use Grid Draws Page with step-by-step teacher directions
• 1 Classroom Use Ideas Page with five ways to use the resource
• 1 Back to School Grid Drawings Booklet Cover Page, a student title page with a name line
• 1 Back to School KWL Page for what students know, wonder and learn about the school year
• 1 Back to School Poem Page
• 20 Back to School Photograph Value Grid Drawing Worksheets, each with a value scale for identifying dark, medium and light values
• 1 Back to School Art Challenge Page with an additional value grid drawing
• 1 Back to School Drawing Prompt Page where students create an imaginative artwork of a fantastical library filled with books that hold all the knowledge in the world

Subjects: paint palette, wax crayons, scissors, paintbrushes, paint tubes, notebook, crumpled paper, felt markers, pens and pencils, markers, stapler, journal, glasses, clay tools, glue, silly paintbrush, hand, pipe cleaners, paint bottle and binder.

HOW TO USE IT

Use it for back to school art lessons, value and shading units, observational drawing practice, realism lessons, independent studio work, sub plans, art centers or homeschool art. A single page works as a skill builder, or students can complete the booklet over several classes as part of a longer realism unit.

The grids and photographs are already prepared, so you do not need to find references or make grid systems. That leaves you free to teach value, contrast, texture, form and drawing accuracy. Some Grade 5 students will be ready for this, especially if they have some experience with shading or observational drawing.

FAQ

Who is this for?

Grades 5 to 10, including art teachers, classroom teachers, homeschool educators, substitute teachers, and middle school or high school teachers who want structured value grid drawing practice with a back to school theme.

How long will it take?

It depends on the image, the student's skill level and how much time they spend on value and detail. Some pages fit in one to two classes, while detailed pages or booklet use can stretch across multiple classes.

What skills does it support?

Observation, value shading, realism, drawing accuracy, hand-eye coordination, patience, attention to detail and artistic confidence.

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 (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