Are you searching for Back to School art lessons for elementary students that go beyond busywork? Do you need structured first week of school art activities, a meaningful get to know you art project, and a skill-building introduction to the Elements of Art and Principles of Design — all in one organized, print-and-go workbook?

This Back to School ARTivity Book is your complete beginning-of-year art solution. It helps students build confidence, establish classroom routines, explore art vocabulary, and create meaningful artwork while you set expectations and build relationships.

This is not just a “first day drawing.” This is a structured Back to School art unit that introduces core visual art concepts while keeping students excited and engaged from day one.

WHY THIS BACK TO SCHOOL ART UNIT SETS THE TONE FOR THE YEAR

This workbook intentionally teaches:

✔️ Elements of Art: Color, Line, Value, Space, Texture
✔️ Principles of Design: Movement, Repetition, Emphasis
✔️ Creative Thinking Warm-Ups
✔️ Classroom Routine Building Through Structured Art
✔️ Roll & Draw Icebreaker Activities
✔️ Symmetry and Radial Symmetry
✔️ Pattern and Zen Doodle Practice
✔️ Composition and Layout Planning
✔️ Grid Drawing Skills
✔️ Reflection and Artist Statements

Students start the year learning how to think like artists — not just how to follow steps.

THIS RESOURCE INCLUDES (Non-Editable PDF)

• Back to School ARTivity Book cover
• Teacher prep guide explaining booklet assembly or individual page use
• National Art Standards alignment page (VA:Cr1, VA:Cr2, VA:Cr3 standards listed)
• Complete lesson plan overview including Big Ideas, Learning Outcomes, and Competencies
• Step-by-step “Teacher Does” instructional guide
• Student rubric assessing creative thinking, craftsmanship, effort, and meeting criteria
• Warm-Up creative thinking drawing page

Elements of Art Lessons Included:

• Directed Drawing: School-themed character or object
• Element of Art: Color lesson (Color theory introduction)
• Complementary Color practice page
• Element of Art: Line lesson with Zen Doodle pattern samples
• Zen Doodle artwork page
• Pattern Mosaic name or design activity
• Element of Art: Value lesson (Monochromatic shading study)
• Element of Art: Space lesson (Overlapping school-themed composition)
• Element of Art: Texture lesson (Line texture design page)

Interactive Drawing & Creative Thinking Activities:

• Roll & Draw Icebreaker dice game
• Roll & Draw Silly Portrait activity
• Get to Know You design page
• Symmetry drawing page
• Radial Symmetry Mandala
• Build-an-Artwork drawing prompt generator
• Principle of Design: Movement lesson + artwork page
• Principle of Design: Repetition lesson + artwork page
• Pick-a-Prompt creative drawing page
• Principle of Design: Emphasis lesson
• Grid Drawing replication page

Assessment & Reflection:

• Student reflection page with guided artist statement questions
• “Color Me Artastic” page

This is a full beginning-of-year art curriculum workbook in one structured download.

HOW TO USE THIS BACK TO SCHOOL ART WORKBOOK

• Print as a complete first-week art booklet
• Use individual pages for the first month of school
• Perfect for Back to School sub plans
• Use as structured sketchbook glue-ins
• Ideal for homeschool art curriculum
• Great for establishing classroom expectations through creative routines

Flexible for multiple mediums:
Colored pencils, markers, watercolor, tempera paint, oil pastels, soft pastels, crayons.

Prep once. Start the year strong.

PERFECT FOR

• Elementary Art Teachers K–5
• Classroom Teachers wanting structured art integration
• Homeschool Families starting a new year
• First Week of School Art Projects
• Beginning of Year Icebreaker Activities
• Elements of Art Introduction Unit
• Principles of Design Starter Lessons

FAQ

Q: Who can use this resource?
A: This resource is designed for elementary art teachers, classroom teachers, homeschool educators, and substitute teachers. It is ideal for K–5 classrooms and can be adjusted for different skill levels and mediums.

Q: How can this be used effectively?
A: Print as a complete Back to School art workbook for the first month of school or use individual pages to introduce specific Elements of Art and Principles of Design. It works beautifully for whole-group instruction, art centers, and early finisher activities.

Q: How long will this take?
A: Each lesson typically spans 2–3 class periods depending on age, student skill level, behavior, instructional pacing, and class length. As a full workbook, it can support 4–6 weeks of structured beginning-of-year art instruction.

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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. You can start your own child's or classroom's creative journey by grabbing this FREE Art Lesson Starter Pack: https://www.artastickids.com/freeart

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I WORK TOWARDS EARNING 5 STARS! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Images and Lessons are Copyright Products

YOU MAY:

For clip art, you may use them as clip art, website graphics, binder covers, or even bulletin board decorations.
Use this in creative ways! Explore and have as much fun with it as you would like.
Buy additional licensing for school use.

YOU MAY NOT:

Use this on OutSchool
Put on your blog
Share this resource with other teachers, administration, or districts (admins can purchase additional licenses)

Sell this resource or give it out for free or photocopy it for others

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic