4th Grade Lesson Ideas

In 4th grade, are building on their vocabulary and can use more artistic techniques and tools. Lessons can encourage expression of ideas, emotions, and finding freedom through creativity. All of these are just suggestions.

Salt Art

Activity: watercolor paints, salt

There are many tutorials for this kind of activity. Here is another similar lesson 


One point perspective

Activity: drawing, rulers, paper

There are many tutorials for learning how to draw in one point perspective. Here is another example. 

Yayoi Kusama Polka Dots

Activity: drawing, sharpies, markers

Talk about artist Yayoi Kusama. See instructions here.

Typography Portrait

Activity: drawing, markers, 

See lesson idea here

Hokusai's Wave

Activity: drawing, markers, watercolor painting, sharpies

See a cute art history video and lose lesson idea here

MC Escher Tessellations

Activity: drawing, watercolors

Talk about artist MC Escher. See some art history videos and general lesson idea here.

Snowy Silhohette

Activity: color pencils, paint

Step by step instructions here.


Dubuffet Paper Sculptures

Activity: paper, scissors, markers.

Talk about artist Jean Dubuffet and make paper sculptures out of abstract shapes. Lesson results shown here.

Foil Gesture Sculptures

Activity: drawing, sharpies, and foil!

See instructions here.

Imaginary Animals

Activity: sketching, oil pastels, watercolor

Based on Art in Action Program 4 Lesson 1. See lesson plan, supply list and instructions in the Art in Action binders in Exploratorium

Picasso Portrait

Activity: sketching, oil pastels, tempera paints

Based on Art in Action Program 4 Lesson 4. See lesson plan, supply list and instructions in the Art in Action binders in Exploratorium

Number Designs

Activity: sketching, oil pastels, 

Based on Art in Action Program 4 Lesson 5. See lesson plan, supply list and instructions in the Art in Action binders in Exploratorium

Matisse Interior Collage

Activity: paper collage

Based on Art in Action Program 4 Lesson 6. See lesson plan, supply list and instructions in the Art in Action binders in Exploratorium

Cat Chalk Pastels

Activity: sketch, chalk pastels

Based on Art in Action Program 4 Lesson 7. See lesson plan, supply list and instructions in the Art in Action binders in Exploratorium

O'Keefe Flower

Activity: sketch, oil pastels, watercolors

Based on Art in Action Program 4 Lesson 10. See lesson plan, supply list and instructions in the Art in Action binders in Exploratorium

Thiebaud Ice Cream

Activity: paper collage

Based on Art in Action Program 4 Lesson 6. See lesson plan, supply list and instructions in the Art in Action binders in Exploratorium

Parts of a Landscape

Activity: focus on vocabulary of foreground, middle ground, and background.

You could do many different variations on this lesson but the overall idea is shown here.