Hands of Gratitude Acrylic Painting, Middle or High School Art; Art with ELA

Teaching middle and high school students to express themselves through their art and writing is the perfect way to engage every student. In this acrylic painting, students write out ways that they are grateful as well words of affirmation that they love to hear or say and fill in a tracing of their arms and hands using those words. Makes a great display when finished.

Student engagement and expression are two strengths that art teachers know well. Even so, with different experience/grade levels it can be hard in a secondary art room to keep everyone engaged! In this art project, students create art with meaning keeping them engaged and learning. Doing this kind of work also is a great way to learn about your students.

As a lead-up to the lesson, students will complete a planning sheet with words of gratitude and affirmation, font examples and learn to create faux calligraphy.

Included:

• 5 Page lesson plan (Word & PDF) with National standards, big ideas, assessment, objectives, and detailed timeline with process notes
• 20 Page PowerPoint Presentation (pptx & PDF)
• Gratitude Planning Worksheets
• Font Examples
• Link to Free How to create Faux Calligraphy Sheets
• Student Self-Evaluation

Materials:

• Pencils, Erasers
• Canvas (16" x 20")
• Sharpie Markers
• Acrylic Paints
• Acrylic Brushes
• Plastic Cups
• Paper Plates to use as Palettes

Key Learning:

• Create a painting that communicates things that you are grateful for and words of affirmation.
• Learn to blend acrylic paints.
• Learn to draw faux calligraphy.

ABOUT MY TEACHING MATERIALS:

TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID…

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“This lesson plan is incredibly thorough and detailed. Truly made teaching the lesson simple. I only see my students once a week for 40 minutes and I was able to condense the lesson to fit within four class periods. I also appreciate the rubric and self-reflection pages!” - Rebecca C. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"My students really were engaged in this lesson. I had so many great results and I attribute it to the step by step nature and detailed resource! Awesome resource!"
- Artsy Ivie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Love this resource! Art was a great way to help the students remember and refocus on how to "do school" in a creative, calm way. This resource helped them create some amazing pieced!" - Katherine G.

National Visual Arts Standards Grades 6-12

Visual Arts/Responding: VA:Re9.1.HSIII: Construct evaluations of a work of art or collection of works based on differing sets of criteria.

Visual Arts/Creating: VA:Cr2.1.6: Demonstrate openness in trying new ideas, materials, methods, and approaches in making works of art and design.

VA:Cr2.1.7: Demonstrate persistence in developing skills with various materials, methods, and approaches in creating works of art or design.

VA:Cr2.1.8: Demonstrate willingness to experiment, innovate, and take risks to pursue ideas, forms, and meanings that emerge in the process of art-making or designing.

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→ Visual Art Curriculum 2D Art and Design

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