A Christ-centered art curriculum that develops creativity, artistic skills, and aesthetic appreciation in first graders. Students explore various media and techniques while learning that creativity is a gift from God and that we create because we are made in the image of the Creator. This year emphasizes elements of art application, technique development, and using art for communication.
Apply elements of art (line, shape, color, texture, space) purposefully in artwork
Develop control and technique with various art media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media
Create artwork to communicate ideas and stories, reflecting on artistic choices
Study famous artists and artworks, recognizing that God gives diverse creative gifts
Build confidence as young artists who create beauty and meaning through their work
Click any week to see daily lesson details.
Discover different types of lines in God's creation (straight, curved, zigzag, wavy). Take a nature walk or observe pictures to find lines in trees, flowers, water, and animals.
Observing and identifying line types in natureobservation and discussionPractice drawing different line types with large arm movements and then on paper. Explore how lines can show movement and energy.
Creating various line types with controlhands-onExplore how different lines can express feelings (jagged lines for excitement, wavy lines for calm, etc.). Create a feelings line chart.
Using lines expressivelyhands-onCombine different types of lines to create patterns. Design a garden using only lines to show flowers, grass, sun, and sky.
Creating patterns with varied lineshands-onCreate a complete picture using all the types of lines learned this week. Share what each line represents in your artwork.
Applying line variety in compositionprojectIdentify geometric shapes (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles) and organic shapes (free-form, natural) in the world around us.
Distinguishing geometric from organic shapesobservation and discussionCut and create various geometric shapes from construction paper. Practice accurate cutting and shape recognition.
Cutting geometric shapes with controlhands-onCreate organic shapes by cutting free-form curves and irregular forms. Compare with geometric shapes made earlier.
Creating and identifying organic shapeshands-onCombine geometric and organic shapes to create an imaginary creature. Glue shapes to build your unique creation.
Combining shapes to create formshands-onDesign a city scene using primarily geometric shapes for buildings, vehicles, and structures. Add details with crayons or markers.
Creating compositions with geometric shapesprojectLearn about the three primary colors (red, yellow, blue) and how God uses these colors throughout creation. Find examples in nature.
Identifying primary colorsdiscussion and observationExplore the color red through painting. Create different shades by adding white or using different amounts of paint and water.
Painting with brush control and color explorationhands-onPaint with yellow, exploring light and bright applications. Create a sunny scene using only yellow and white.
Controlling paint application and valuehands-onExperiment with blue paint to create water, sky, and other blue elements in nature. Practice smooth brush strokes.
Painting techniques and brush controlhands-onCreate a composition using all three primary colors. Paint a scene from God's creation featuring red, yellow, and blue.
Composing with primary colorsprojectDiscover how red and yellow mix to create orange. Paint pumpkins, sunsets, or oranges using your mixed color.
Mixing red and yellow to create orangehands-onMix yellow and blue to create green. Paint plants, grass, trees, and other green things God made.
Mixing yellow and blue to create greenhands-onCombine red and blue to make purple. Create artwork featuring purple flowers, grapes, or twilight skies.
Mixing red and blue to create purplehands-onCreate a simple color wheel showing primary and secondary colors. Learn how colors are organized and related.
Understanding color relationshipshands-onPaint a garden scene using all six colors (primary and secondary). Practice mixing colors as needed.
Applying color mixing knowledge in compositionprojectExplore warm colors (red, orange, yellow) and how they remind us of fire, sun, and warmth. Discuss feelings these colors create.
Identifying and using warm colorsdiscussion and hands-onCreate a sunset using only warm colors. Blend colors to show the sky changing from yellow to orange to red.
Painting with warm color familyhands-onDiscover cool colors (blue, green, purple) and how they remind us of water, ice, and coolness. Explore the calm feelings they create.
Identifying and using cool colorsdiscussion and hands-onPaint an underwater scene using only cool colors. Show fish, plants, and water using blues, greens, and purples.
Painting with cool color familyhands-onCreate a split composition: one side warm (desert, fire, summer) and one side cool (winter, water, night). Show contrast between color families.
Applying warm and cool color conceptsprojectExplore actual texture by touching various materials. Learn the difference between how things feel (actual texture) and how they look (visual texture).
Identifying and describing texturessensory explorationCreate texture rubbings by placing paper over textured surfaces and rubbing with crayons. Discover visual texture from actual texture.
Creating visual texture through rubbingshands-onDraw different textures using various marks and patterns (dots for bumpy, lines for furry, scales for rough, etc.).
Creating visual texture with drawinghands-onCreate a collage using materials with different actual textures. Combine smooth, rough, soft, and bumpy materials.
Creating actual texture through collagehands-onDraw an animal and add visual texture to show fur, scales, feathers, or skin. Use appropriate marks to show how the animal would feel.
Applying texture to create realistic effectsprojectLearn about foreground (front of picture) and background (back of picture). Look at artwork and identify what's close and what's far away.
Identifying foreground and backgroundobservation and discussionDiscover that objects appear larger when close (foreground) and smaller when far away (background). Practice drawing objects in different sizes.
Using size to show spacehands-onLearn that when one object covers part of another, it appears closer. Practice drawing overlapping shapes and objects.
Using overlapping to create depthhands-onCreate a simple landscape with foreground (grass, flowers), middle ground (trees, house), and background (hills, sky).
Creating three layers of spacehands-onDraw a scene showing clear foreground and background. Include objects at different distances to create depth.
Applying space concepts in compositionprojectFind patterns in God's creation (flower petals, animal markings, tree bark) and in human-made objects (fabric, buildings, art).
Identifying patterns in various contextsobservation and discussionCreate patterns by repeating shapes in sequence (circle-square-triangle-circle-square-triangle). Explore different combinations.
Creating shape patternshands-onDesign patterns using color sequences. Create borders and bands with repeating color patterns.
Creating color patternshands-onMake patterns with different types of lines. Create decorative borders using line patterns for a special artwork frame.
Creating line patternshands-onCreate a paper quilt square using multiple types of patterns (shape, color, and line). Combine patterns in one unified design.
Combining pattern types in compositionprojectExplore symmetry in nature (butterflies, faces, leaves) using mirrors. Learn that symmetrical means both sides match.
Identifying symmetrical balanceobservation and explorationCreate symmetrical designs by folding paper and cutting shapes. Unfold to reveal matching sides.
Creating symmetrical designshands-onPaint one half of a butterfly, fold the paper, and press to create a symmetrical design. Add details to both sides.
Creating symmetrical paintingshands-onLearn about asymmetrical balance where sides are different but still feel balanced. Arrange objects to create visual balance without matching.
Understanding asymmetrical balancediscussion and hands-onCreate a tree drawing showing asymmetrical balance—branches don't match exactly but the tree still looks balanced and natural.
Applying balance concepts in drawingprojectIntroduction to watercolor paints. Learn how to wet the brush, load paint, and rinse between colors. Practice making marks.
Basic watercolor handlinghands-onLearn wet-on-wet technique by wetting paper first, then adding color. Create a sky with colors blending together.
Wet-on-wet watercolor techniquehands-onPractice painting on dry paper for more control. Create shapes and objects with defined edges.
Wet-on-dry watercolor techniquehands-onCreate a graded wash by starting with dark color and adding more water to make it lighter. Paint a sunset or ocean using this technique.
Creating watercolor washeshands-onCombine watercolor techniques to paint a garden scene. Use wet-on-wet for background and wet-on-dry for flower details.
Applying multiple watercolor techniquesprojectLearn basic body proportions: head size compared to body, where arms and legs attach. Practice drawing stick figures with correct proportions.
Understanding basic figure proportionsdiscussion and hands-onBuild people from shapes: oval head, rectangle body, cylinder arms and legs. Add details to create different people.
Constructing figures from shapeshands-onDraw faces with correct feature placement: eyes halfway down head, nose between eyes and chin, mouth below nose. Add hair and expressions.
Drawing faces with proper proportionshands-onDraw people in different poses: standing, sitting, running, jumping. Show how body parts bend and move.
Drawing figures in various positionshands-onCreate a drawing of family members showing different heights and features. Include details like clothing, hair, and expressions.
Applying figure drawing to create portraitsprojectLearn about Claude Monet and his beautiful garden paintings. Discover how he painted light and color in nature, praising God's creation.
Observing and discussing artist's workart appreciationExplore how Monet used bright colors side-by-side instead of mixing them. Experiment with placing pure colors next to each other.
Understanding Impressionist color techniquehands-onPractice Impressionist painting technique using short brush strokes, dabs, and dots instead of smooth blending.
Impressionist brushwork techniquehands-onObserve water lilies (photos or real) and paint them using Impressionist techniques. Focus on light reflecting on water.
Painting from observation with Impressionist stylehands-onCreate an Impressionist-style garden painting inspired by Monet. Use bright colors and dabbing brushstrokes to show flowers and light.
Creating artwork in Impressionist styleprojectLearn that printmaking creates multiple copies of the same image. Explore how prints are made by transferring ink or paint from one surface to another.
Understanding printmaking conceptdiscussion and demonstrationCreate prints using found objects (sponges, bottle caps, leaves) dipped in paint. Make patterns and designs with repeated prints.
Creating prints with found objectshands-onDraw a simple design on a foam plate or foam sheet, pressing firmly to create grooves. This will be your printing plate.
Creating a printing platehands-onApply paint to your foam plate design and press onto paper to create a print. Make multiple prints and observe how they're the same but slightly different.
Printing from a prepared platehands-onCreate a series of prints using your plate with different colors. Arrange your prints to show variety and pattern.
Creating multiple prints and arranging themprojectExplore clay's properties: rolling, pinching, flattening, poking. Learn how to keep clay moist and join pieces together.
Understanding clay properties and handlingsensory explorationLearn to roll clay into coils (snakes). Create designs by arranging and joining coils together.
Creating and joining clay coilshands-onMake a pinch pot by pressing thumb into clay ball and pinching walls thin. Create a small bowl or container.
Pinch pot techniquehands-onPlan and create a simple clay animal using pinching, rolling, and joining techniques. Add details with tools.
Planning and constructing 3D sculpturehands-onAdd final details to clay animal using tools to create texture for fur, scales, or feathers. Discuss how God created each animal uniquely.
Adding texture and details to sculptureproject completionExplore how artwork can tell stories without words. Look at picture book illustrations and discuss what's happening in the images.
Reading visual narrativesobservation and discussionDraw three pictures showing beginning, middle, and end of a simple story. Plan what will happen in each part.
Sequential storytelling through imageshands-onChoose a favorite Bible story and draw the most important moment. Include details that help tell what's happening.
Illustrating narrative contenthands-onLearn how details (expressions, actions, backgrounds) help tell the story. Add details to make your illustration clearer.
Using details to enhance narrativehands-onCreate a complete illustrated story page about a personal experience or imaginative tale. Include a picture and written title or caption.
Combining image and text to tell storyprojectLearn that collage means creating art by gluing different materials together. Explore various materials that can be used in collage.
Understanding collage as art formdiscussion and explorationCut geometric and organic shapes from colored paper. Arrange and glue them to create an abstract design.
Cutting and arranging shapeshands-onCreate a landscape by tearing (not cutting) colored paper for sky, land, and other elements. Tearing creates softer, more organic edges.
Tearing paper and creating compositionhands-onCombine materials with different textures (smooth paper, rough fabric, soft tissue paper) to create a textured collage composition.
Selecting and combining materials for texturehands-onCreate a complete artwork combining collage with drawing or painting. Use collage for some parts and add details with crayons or paint.
Combining collage with other mediaprojectLearn about Georgia O'Keeffe and her giant flower paintings. Discuss how she painted flowers so large you could see every detail of God's design.
Observing and discussing artist's workart appreciationObserve real flowers or photos very closely. Notice details like petal shapes, centers, colors, and textures that we might usually miss.
Close observation skillsobservationDraw a single flower very large on paper, making it fill the whole page like O'Keeffe did. Focus on shapes and proportions.
Drawing large-scale with detailhands-onPaint your giant flower using watercolors or tempera. Mix colors to match the flower and show light and shadow on petals.
Painting with attention to color and valuehands-onAdd final details to your O'Keeffe-inspired flower painting. Include the flower's center, subtle color changes, and any special features.
Adding details and finishing artworkproject completionReview artwork created so far this year. Discuss favorite projects and what was learned about elements of art, techniques, and artists.
Reflecting on artistic growthreview and discussionCreate a drawing that includes multiple elements: different types of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and patterns. Show everything learned.
Applying multiple art elementshands-onChoose your favorite art technique from the year (watercolor, printmaking, collage, etc.) and create a new artwork using that technique.
Working independently with chosen mediumhands-onPlan and create an artwork on any subject using any materials learned this year. Make artistic decisions independently.
Independent planning and creationprojectShare artwork with family or friends. Practice talking about your art: what you made, how you made it, and what it means.
Communicating about artworkpresentationLearn to see animals as combinations of basic shapes. Practice breaking down animal bodies into circles, ovals, rectangles, and triangles.
Analyzing forms as basic shapesobservation and hands-onDraw a dog using shape construction method. Add details like fur texture, ears, tail, and facial features.
Drawing specific animal with detailhands-onDraw birds showing wing positions and body proportions. Observe how God designed birds for flying.
Drawing animals in motionhands-onChoose a zoo animal (lion, elephant, giraffe, etc.) and draw it from observation of photos. Include environment details.
Detailed animal drawing from referencehands-onCreate a detailed colored drawing of your favorite animal. Show its habitat and include facts about how God made this creature special.
Complete animal artwork with contextprojectObserve how trees change through seasons. Draw the same tree in spring, summer, fall, and winter showing different appearances.
Observing and depicting seasonal changeshands-onCreate a spring scene showing new growth, flowers blooming, and fresh colors. Use bright greens, yellows, and pastels.
Depicting spring characteristicshands-onPaint a summer scene with warm colors, full trees, bright sun, and summer activities. Show the warmth and fullness of summer.
Depicting summer characteristicshands-onCreate a fall scene featuring orange, red, yellow, and brown leaves. Show the beautiful colors God paints in autumn.
Depicting autumn characteristicshands-onMake a winter artwork showing bare trees, snow, and cool colors. Use white space effectively to show snow.
Depicting winter characteristicsprojectLook at artworks and notice where your eyes go first. Learn that this is called the focal point or emphasis—the most important part.
Identifying focal points in artworkobservation and discussionLearn that larger objects draw attention. Create a composition where one object is much larger to make it the focal point.
Using size to create emphasishands-onDiscover how bright or contrasting colors create emphasis. Make one object stand out by using a different or brighter color.
Using color to create emphasishands-onPractice adding more detail to the most important part of your artwork while keeping other areas simpler.
Using detail to create emphasishands-onCreate an artwork showing something important to you as the clear focal point. Use size, color, or detail to make it stand out.
Applying emphasis techniques purposefullyprojectLearn about Faith Ringgold and her story quilts that combine pictures, words, and quilt patterns to tell important stories.
Observing and discussing artist's workart appreciationExplore traditional quilt patterns. Create paper quilt squares using geometric shapes and patterns.
Creating geometric patternshands-onPlan a personal story to tell through art. Decide on the most important scene to illustrate, like Ringgold does.
Planning narrative artworkplanning and sketchingCreate the central picture for your story quilt using drawing, painting, or collage. Show the main action of your story.
Creating narrative illustrationhands-onCreate a patterned border around your story picture, inspired by Ringgold's quilt frames. Add words or a title if desired.
Completing composition with decorative borderproject completionReview foreground, middle ground, and background. Observe landscapes and identify the three layers in each.
Identifying spatial layersobservation and discussionPaint background hills or mountains using lighter colors and less detail to show distance. Practice making far things look far away.
Creating background with atmospheric perspectivehands-onAdd middle ground elements like trees, houses, or fields. Use medium-sized objects and moderate detail.
Creating middle ground layerhands-onAdd foreground elements with the most detail and brightest colors. Include grass, flowers, rocks, or paths close to the viewer.
Creating detailed foregroundhands-onCreate a complete landscape showing clear foreground, middle ground, and background. Use all techniques learned to create depth.
Creating unified landscape with depthprojectUse mirrors to observe your own face. Notice eye placement, nose shape, mouth position, and unique features that make you special.
Self-observation skillsobservationLearn face proportions: eyes halfway down, nose between eyes and chin, mouth in lower third. Practice drawing a face shape with guidelines.
Understanding facial proportionshands-onDraw your specific features: eye color and shape, nose shape, mouth, ears. Add details that make it look like you.
Drawing individual facial featureshands-onAdd hair showing your hairstyle and texture. Mix colors to match your skin tone, celebrating how God made you unique.
Adding hair and colorhands-onComplete your self-portrait by adding background, clothing, and any final details. Sign your artwork as the artist.
Completing detailed self-portraitproject completionExplore weaving in nature (bird nests) and culture (baskets, cloth). Learn that weaving means going over and under to join materials.
Understanding weaving conceptdiscussion and observationPractice weaving with paper strips. Cut slits in one paper and weave strips through, going over-under-over-under.
Basic weaving techniquehands-onCreate a woven design using colored paper strips. Plan a pattern with colors and create a woven artwork.
Creating pattern through weavinghands-onMake a simple cardboard loom by cutting notches in cardboard. String yarn vertically to create the warp.
Creating a weaving loomhands-onWeave yarn through your cardboard loom, changing colors to create patterns. Complete a small woven piece.
Weaving with yarnprojectLearn that still life means drawing objects that don't move. Look at still life artworks and discuss what artists choose to include.
Understanding still life genreart appreciation and discussionSet up a simple still life with 2-3 objects. Practice seeing objects as basic shapes before adding details.
Analyzing objects as shapesobservation and hands-onAdd details to your still life drawing: texture, patterns, small features. Observe carefully to make objects look realistic.
Drawing details from observationhands-onObserve where light hits objects and where shadows form. Add light and dark areas to your drawing to show dimension.
Adding value to show formhands-onCreate a complete still life drawing with color. Mix colors to match the objects and show light and shadow with color values.
Complete observational still lifeprojectExplore how people from different cultures create art. Look at examples from various continents and discuss similarities and differences.
Observing cultural art traditionsart appreciation and discussionStudy traditional African patterns and symbols. Create artwork using bold patterns and shapes inspired by African textiles.
Creating pattern-based cultural arthands-onLearn about Asian brush painting traditions. Practice making simple brush strokes and paint bamboo or flowers with flowing lines.
Asian-inspired brush techniqueshands-onExplore colorful Mexican folk art traditions. Create a bright, decorative artwork using bold colors and patterns.
Creating folk art style artworkhands-onCreate an artwork inspired by your favorite cultural tradition studied. Celebrate how God created diverse peoples with unique artistic gifts.
Creating culturally-inspired artworkprojectLearn that artists can create with everyday objects. Explore various recyclable materials and imagine what they could become.
Seeing creative potential in objectsexploration and discussionPlan a sculpture using found objects. Sketch ideas and gather materials needed. Decide if you'll make a creature, vehicle, or abstract form.
Planning 3D artworkplanningBegin constructing your sculpture by joining objects together. Learn techniques for attaching different materials securely.
3D construction techniqueshands-onAdd smaller details to your sculpture. Attach features, textures, or decorative elements to complete your design.
Adding details to sculpturehands-onPaint your sculpture and add final touches. Consider how color choices enhance your creation.
Finishing and painting sculptureproject completionDiscuss how colors can show emotions. Explore which colors feel happy, sad, angry, calm, or excited and why.
Understanding color and emotion connectiondiscussion and explorationCreate artwork expressing happiness using bright colors, energetic lines, and joyful subjects. Show what happiness looks like to you.
Expressing positive emotions through arthands-onMake art showing calmness using cool colors, gentle lines, and peaceful subjects. Create a quiet, restful feeling.
Expressing calm through artistic choiceshands-onListen to different types of music and create art responding to how the music makes you feel. Let the music guide your colors and marks.
Responding to music through visual arthands-onCreate a collage showing different emotions using colors, images, textures, and words. Express the range of feelings God gave us.
Expressing multiple emotions through mixed mediaprojectLearn about land art and artists who create art outdoors using natural materials. Discuss how this celebrates God's creation.
Understanding nature-based artdiscussion and observationGather natural materials from outdoors (with permission). Collect interesting leaves, sticks, stones, flowers, or seeds.
Observing and collecting natural materialsoutdoor explorationCreate a mandala (circular design) using natural materials arranged in patterns. Work directly on the ground or a board.
Creating patterns with natural materialshands-onMake prints using leaves, flowers, or other natural objects. Press painted objects onto paper to create nature-inspired designs.
Printmaking with natural materialshands-onCreate a permanent artwork by gluing natural materials to paper or cardboard. Arrange materials to create a picture or design.
Creating lasting art with natural materialsprojectRead poems and discuss the images they create in your mind. Learn that illustrations can show what poems describe.
Visualizing poetic imageryreading and discussionRead a nature poem and create an illustration showing what the poem describes. Include details mentioned in the words.
Creating literal illustrationshands-onIllustrate a poem about feelings or emotions. Use colors, lines, and images to show the mood of the poem.
Illustrating emotional contenthands-onChoose a favorite Bible verse and create an illustration for it. Show what the verse means through your artwork.
Illustrating scriptural texthands-onCreate a complete poetry book page with a poem (copied or written) and your illustration. Design the page beautifully.
Combining text and image in layoutprojectObserve patterns in nature: flower petals, leaf veins, animal markings, spider webs, honeycombs. Discuss God's design in creation.
Observing patterns in natureobservation and discussionStudy flower patterns and symmetry. Draw flowers showing their radial patterns and repeated petal shapes.
Drawing radial symmetryhands-onObserve and draw animal patterns like stripes, spots, or scales. Practice creating these patterns accurately.
Creating natural pattern textureshands-onStudy leaf vein patterns closely. Draw large leaves showing the detailed vein patterns that carry water and nutrients.
Drawing detailed natural structureshands-onCreate a page showing multiple nature patterns you've studied. Arrange them artistically to celebrate God's design.
Composing multiple pattern elementsprojectLearn about how art has been used in churches and to tell Bible stories throughout history. Discuss art as worship.
Understanding religious art purposediscussion and observationIllustrate part of the Creation story. Choose one day of creation and show what God made with beautiful colors and details.
Illustrating biblical narrativehands-onCreate artwork showing Noah's ark with animals. Plan composition to show the size of the ark and variety of animals.
Creating complex narrative scenehands-onIllustrate Jesus welcoming the children. Show Jesus' love and kindness through expressions and composition.
Depicting figures and emotionshands-onCreate a complete illustration of your favorite Bible story. Include important details that help tell the story clearly.
Independent biblical narrative illustrationprojectLearn that mixed media means using more than one type of art material in the same artwork. Explore different combinations.
Understanding mixed media conceptdiscussion and explorationDraw with white or light crayons, then paint over with watercolor. Watch the crayon resist the paint to create special effects.
Crayon resist techniquehands-onCombine collage papers with drawing. Create a composition using torn or cut paper, then add drawn details.
Combining collage and drawinghands-onPaint a background or large areas, then add fine details with markers. Learn when to use each medium for best results.
Combining painting and marker workhands-onCreate an artwork using at least three different media. Plan which materials to use for different parts of your composition.
Independent mixed media creationprojectReview all artwork created this year. Discuss growth, favorite projects, new skills learned, and artistic preferences discovered.
Reflecting on artistic developmentreview and discussionIdentify your favorite subjects to draw or paint, favorite materials, and favorite techniques. Recognize your emerging artistic voice.
Identifying personal preferencesdiscussion and reflectionPlan a final artwork that represents you as an artist. Choose subject, materials, and techniques that you enjoy and do well.
Independent project planningplanningWork on your final project, making all artistic decisions independently. Apply skills and techniques learned throughout the year.
Independent artistic creationhands-onComplete your final project with careful attention to details and finishing. Sign your work proudly as the artist.
Completing and finishing artworkproject completionSelect best works from the year for display. Practice talking about your artwork and what makes each piece special.
Curating and presenting artworkpreparation and practiceCreate a simple artist statement: what you learned this year, favorite projects, and how you've grown as an artist.
Reflecting and communicating about artwriting and reflectionArrange your artwork for display. Create labels for pieces and set up a mini art gallery to share with family.
Displaying artwork professionallyhands-onPresent your artwork to family or friends. Talk about your favorite pieces and what you learned as an artist this year.
Presenting and discussing artworkpresentationCelebrate creativity as God's gift. Thank God for the ability to create and for the joy of making art throughout the year.
Recognizing creativity as divine giftreflection and celebrationStart with Day 1 and work through at your own pace. Each lesson builds on the last!