MiSs Rs ArT RoOm

Sasquatch Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Sasquatch Painting using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic), shape variation (gometric, organic, free form) and value (lightness, darkness, tints, shades) inspired by Pacific Northwest Indigenous Tribes 
• Use perspective techniques (atmospheric, linear, curvilinear, alternative) and design principles (proportion composition, gradation) based on Folklore Art
• Define Cryptids (an animal or creature claimed to exist through folklore, legend, or eyewitness accounts, but whose existence has never been proved or verified by mainstream science)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Untitled (2025) Ryan Henry Ward

2. Read Following Sasquatch by Molly Leach

3. Discussion Questions "Did you know many Pacific Northwest Tribes view the Sasquatch as a relative, neighbor, or protector? How does this change how we think about the forest if we view the creatures inside as our relatives? Did you know that Indigenous stories often show Sasquatches living in nature and taking only what is needed to survive? What lesson can we take from that about how we should treat the environment? In Anishinaabe traditions, the creature Sabe represents the sacred value of Honesty. why do you think a large, powerful forest being would be chosen to teach humans about being true to themselves? What are some stories your family uses to teach you how to stay safe? Why do you think television shows focus on hunting Bigfoot, while Indigenous stories focus on listening to or respecting them? How does learning that different tribes have different views of Sasquatch- some seeing a gentle giant, others a trister- show us that Native cultures are diverse?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper

2. Use line types (contour, outline, continuous) to draw positive space (Sasquatch, foreground, middle ground) of the Sasquatch Paintings

3.  Outline line types (contour, outline, continuous) with neutral colors (black, grey, white, brown) for the positive space (foreground) of the Sasquatch Paintings 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Sasquatch Paintings for Assigned Tables 

2. Inspiring Rascals (2026) Ryan Henry Ward

3. Discussion Questions "What does leave no trace mean? How does Sasquatch practice these principles in the story? How would you spend your day in the forest and how would you leave no trace behind? How can artists use line, shape, color, and texture to create an imaginary creature? How can an artist make a creature look like it belongs in its environment? How can artists use scale and composition to tell a story? How can we make something imaginary look believable? Do artists need to agree about what Bigfoot looks like because he is an imaginary or legendary creature? How can we let the viewer know something enormous has been walking through our forest? What clues would convince you that a creature was nearby? How can artists use scale and overlapping to create depth?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, Sasquatch) of the Sasquatch Paintings

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Sasquatch Paintings

3. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey, brown) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, Sasquatch) of the Sasquatch Paintings 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Sasquatch Paintings from Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, tempera paint, water buckets)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, Sasquatch) of the Sasquatch Paintings

2. Add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow, shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Sasquatch Paintings

3. Add details (hiking backpack, accessories, walking stick) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, Sasquatch) of the Sasquatch Paintings 

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Sunflower Sunsets

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Sunflower Sunsets using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (warm colors, earth tones, analogous colors), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and shape variation (geometric organic, free form) inspired by Post Impressionist Painter (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
• Understand painting techniques (overlapping, cropping, layering) and design principles (composition, movement, repetition) based on Post Impressionism
• Define Brushstrokes (the mark, trace, or configuration left on a surface by a single application of a paintbrush) 

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Sunflowers (1889) Vincent Van Gogh

2. Read Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story About Vincent Van Gogh by Laurence Anholt

3. Discussion Questions "Did you know Vincent Van Gogh created seven distinct versions of sunflowers within his series of sunflower paintings? Did you know Van Gogh saw sunflowers as a metaphor for the cycle of life? Did you know his bold use of yellow became a hallmark of his style? Did you know sunflowers are the national flower and an important symbol in Ukraine? Did you know Van Gogh saw sunflowers as a symbol of gratitude and decorated his friend Paul Gaughin's guest room with them? What do you notice about the way the paint has been applied to the painting? How does scientific information inform art? Did you know his sunflower paintings are dispalyed in museums all around the world from Tokyo to Amsterdam? Did you know one of his sunflowers painting was lost during World War II? How do artists use perspective, along with different shapes and colors, to add dimension to paintings? What kinds of lines did Van Gogh use to paint those sunflowers? What do you think Van Gogh used concentric circles to paint them? How can you infuse your own thoughts, emotions, and memories into your paintings?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Divide the painting paper into three parts (foreground, middle ground, background) of the Sunflower Sunsets 

2. Use observational drawing techniques (contour, gesture, outline) to add shape variation (geometric, organic, free form) to Sunflower Sunsets 

3. Add directional lines (diagonal, vertical, horizontal) to remember the highlights (light source, reflective light, cast light) of the Sunflower Sunsets     

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Sunflower Sunsets for Assigned Tables 

2. Still Life Vase With Fourteen Sunflowers (1889) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Question "Who was Vincent Van Gogh? Did you know who he really was? Would you like a painting of sunflowers in your room? Why did Vincent Van Gogh become so famous? What did Vincent Van Gogh like to paint? How can we paint the sky like Vincent Van Gogh? Where do you think Van Gogh was when he painted this picture? What colors did Van Gogh use in this painting? What kind of place do you think this was? How can we create the same feeling of movement in the sky to tell our own story? Where did Van Gogh get his inspiration? Do you think Van Gogh was inspired by the harvest work? What is happening in this picture?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Use warm colors (red yellow orange) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, sunflowers) of the Sunflower Sunsets

2. Use warm colors (red yellow orange) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Sunflower Sunsets

3. Use different mark making techniques (dashes, scratches, loose lines) to add designs to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, sunflowers) of the Sunflower Sunsets 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Sunflower Sunsets for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (tempera paint, paint brushes, oil pastels, erasers)

Lesson Activities

1. Add patterns (stripes, swirls, dots, waves) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, sunflowers) of the Sunflower Sunsets

2. Add highlights (reflective light, light source, cast light) and shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow, shadow) to the Sunflower Sunsets

3. Add patterns (stripes, swirls, dots, waves) to the negative space (background) of the Sunflower Sunsets

Artist Examples

Student Examples

Piano Cat Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Piano Cat Paintings using painting techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic), and line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inspired by African American Artist (1911-1988) Romare Bearden
• Use drawing techniques (overlapping, cropping, outline) and design principle (composition, repetition, variation) based on Harlem Renaissance
• Define Theme (the underlying message, central idea, or deeper meaning that an artist conveys through a creative work) 

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Piano Lesson (Homage To Mary Lou) (1983) Romare Bearden

2. Read Mrs. Merriwether's Musical Cat by Carol Purdy

3. Discussion Questions "How do artists draw upon symbolism from different cultures to address religion, mythology, history, literature, and everyday life? Is this artist saying that art is the result of both sensual creativity (the sculpture) and strict discipline (painting)? Is the metronome that swings between the two, a mediator? What do you think of the odd inclusion of the carved music stand which contains the brand of the piano? How do the musical notes, organic shapes, and bright colors create a strong sense of movement? How do the musical notes, organic shapes, and bright colors create a strong sense of movement? How did combining images from magazines and colored paper become a turning point in the artist's career? Why were all of the musicians in Romare Bearden's art African American? Could black people and white people attend the same jazz clubs?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper 

2. Add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the positive space (foreground, cat, piano) of the Piano Cat Paintings

3. Outline positive space (foreground, cat, piano) with neutral colors (black, white, grey) of the Piano Cat Paintings 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Piano Cat Paintings for Assigned Tables 

2. Jamming At The Savoy (1981-1982) Romare Bearden

3. Discussion Questions "How do people express meaning through music and art? How do people interpret meaning in music and in art? How does music and art reflect the time and place in which it was created? What factors influence an artist's work? How can music or art communicate a theme? How dod artist tell stories and convey messaging in their work? How did this music or art make you feel? Why are some artist inspired to create art based on music? Why types of lines and colors would someone most likely use to portray upbeat jazz music? What would you say is the connection between music and art? How can art represent music if you cannot physically hear a work of art? How would you describe this artwork? Where do we experience music or art? What music or art do you enjoy playing with for fun? How does music and art evoke emotion? How do we experience conflict and harmony through the different arts disciplines?"  

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the positive space (foreground, cat, piano) for the Piano Cat Paintings

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, secondary) to fill in the negative space (background) for the Piano Cat Paintings 

3. Use neutral colors (black, white, grey) to fill in the negative space (background) for the Piano Cat Paintings

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Piano Cat Paintings for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, water buck, paint trays) 

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive space (foreground, cat, piano) of the Piano Cat Paintings

2. Add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow, shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Piano Cat Paintings

3. Add details to the positive space (foreground, reflective light, light source) and negative space (background) of the Piano Cat Paintings 

Artist Examples 

Student Examples 

Van Gogh Chair Paintings

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Van Gogh Chair Painting using painting techniques learned in class
• Use color combinations (complementary, analogous, monochromatic), line variation (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and value (lightness, darkness, tints, shadows) inspired by Post Impressionist Painter (1853-1890) Vincent Van Gogh
• Use drawing techniques (observational, perspective, blocking shapes) and design principles (proportion, composition, variation) based on Post Impressionism
• Define Impasto (a technique where paid is laid on a canvas so thickly that it stands out in three dimensions, leaving brush or palette knife strokes clearly visible)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Van Gogh's Chair (1888) Vincent Van Gogh

2. Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain by Betty Edwards

3. Discussion Questions "What was Van Gogh's relationship with fellow artist Gauguin like? How did Van Gogh represent his thoughts about himself and his friends in his chair paintings? How does Van Gogh use everyday objects as a form of a self-portraiture? How do artists tell stories about life and personality? When looking at the arms, legs, seats, and backs of the chair, what do you think this chair is made of? Can you identify the materials used to make this chair? Did you know Vincent Van Gogh lived in various places such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain, and France? How does this unusual scene show Vincent Van Gogh's personality, love of nature, and home comfort? How is this painting a statement of friendship between two artists? How do the vertical lines and diagonal lines show movement in this artwork?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the basic shapes (oval, circle, triangle) for the positive space (chair, foreground) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings

2. Use oil pastels to add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings

3. Use oil pastels to add line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to the negative space (background) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Van Gogh Chair for Assigned Tables

2. Gauguin's Chair (1888) Vincent Van Gogh

3. Discussion Questions "What is negative space? How might focusing on it be used as a strategy for observational drawing? Is the space in this painting positive or negative? What is a negative space drawing? How is drawing negative space related to drawing contour lines? Is the background of the picture positive or negative? What is the main object of this positive and negative space artwork? Does anyone want to share where the positive and negative space is in this image? Where is the positive space in both paintings? Where is the negative space in both paintings? What does it captivate, in terms of emotions, to the audience of negative space? What are three basic elements of composition needed in drawing? What is the different between negative and positive space? Which do you think is more important negative space or positive space?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground, chair) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings

2. Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings

3. Use drawing techniques (blending, layering, overlapping) to add contrast to the composition of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Van Gogh Chair Paintings for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, tempera paint, paint paste) 

Lesson Activities 

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, chair) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings

2. Add shadow (cast shadow, shadow) to the negative space (background) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings

3. Add overlapping shapes (circles, ovals, triangles, rectangles) to the positive space (foreground, middle ground, chair) of the Van Gogh Chair Paintings

 Artist Examples

Student Examples

 Art Museum Sculptures

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Art Museum Sculpture using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and texture (actual visual implied) inspired by Chinese American Architect (1917-2019) I.M. Pei
• Use sculpture techniques (carving, casting, assembling, modeling) and design principles (proportion, movement, composition) based on Modern Architecture
• Define Museum (a public or private non-profit institution that collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits works of visual art for entertainment)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Louvre Pyramid (1983-1984) I.M.Pei

2. Read The Glass Pyramid: A Story Of The Louvre Museum And Architect I.M.Pei by Jeannie Walker Harvey

3. Discussion Questions "What do museums want people to learn and why? Who are museums hoping to attract and why? Are there any culturally significant objects you would include in your museum? Is there an item passed down from your family or an item from your home country you could include? How can you document the important information about each item? Did you know most museums record the date it was collected, where the artwork came from, and a brief description of the object? How does visiting museums help motivate us to learn more about art history? What are the colors, shapes, and objects you can see without giving any facts? Why is touching artwork forbidden and how do guards protect the work for the future? How can buildings reflect the relationship between people and the environment?" 

Lesson Activities

1. Choose Three 12 X 12 Cardboard Sheets 

2. Use three compositional elements (shape, color, texture) to represent a memory, place, or event from ones own heritage 

3. Use line variation (wavy, straight, curved) as a design principle (balance, movement, repetition) with the Art Museum Sculptures 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Art Museum Sculptures For Assigned Tables 

2. Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (1995) I.M. Pei

3. Discussion Questions "What do you notice about this art museum building? How would you describe it to someone who has never seen it? What do you see that makes you say that? What details might have been inspired by nature or ancient civilizations? What might this museum suggest about the relationship between local people and their environment? What evidence supports your ideas? What might this suggest about your communities outlook on the natural world? How does each work of art reflect the natural world? How does your building look from different sides? How do visitors walk through this museum? What is the mood of your museum, and how will your building shape reflect that? Will your building be historical and classical, or sleek and modern? How will people enter your museum? What makes your building look like a museum rather than an office building, home, or school?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use compass, protractors, and texture plates to add symmetrical shapes (circle, triangles, squares) to the Art Museum Sculptures 

2. Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional) to fill in the positive space (foreground, middle ground) of the Art Museum Sculptures 

3. Use form (two dimensional, three dimensional) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Art Museum Sculptures 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Art Museum Sculptures for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (washable markers, glue sticks, scissors, colored pencils) 

Lesson Activities

1. Use scissors to cut out two dimensional symmetrical shapes (circles, triangles, squares) to create a three dimensional Art Museum Sculptures

2. Glue Down three dimensional symmetrical shapes (circles, triangles, squares) to create a three dimensional Art Museum Sculptures

3. Add decorations (old art, newspaper, fabric scraps, colored paper, buttons, collage) to positive space (foreground, middle ground) of the Art Museum Sculptures 

Artist Examples

Student Examples