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middle school art projects

My Favorite Middle School Art Projects

After a decade of teaching high school art, I’ve recently moved to teaching middle school art. It’s a blast and there is truly NEVER a dull moment. Through some trial and error, I’ve learned that some projects are more engaging than others. Below are some of my favorite middle school art projects that have yielded engagement and great visual end products! The ideas below use a variety of art media and include a range of 2d and 3d art projects. I hope you enjoy! Feel free to comment below if you’d like to share some of your personal idea for successful middle school art projects.

#1- 3D Shadowbox Collages

Student goal: Use found collage images to create layers of depth inside a 3D foam core shadowbox. Click here for the full lesson of this 3d shadowbox collage project.

middle school art room ideas

#2- Colored Light Self Portraits

Student goal: Use colored pencils on toned paper to draw a self portrait of yourself photographed with a colored light source (we used 3 light sources- red, blue and green bulbs). Click here for more information about this lesson using colored light sources.

middle school art room ideas

A variation with a cropped composition on expressive eyes.

middle school art room ideas

#3- Vortex Drawings

Student goal: Use a media of your choice to draw a vortex that shows depth, rhythm and movement. Click here for a full lesson on how to draw a variety of vortexes.

middle school art room ideas

#4- Alien Point of View Perspective Drawings

Student goal: Use paint stix, oil pastels, or colored pencils to render an exaggerated “alien’s point of view” space drawing. Click here for free lesson a guided worksheet of this fun, alien perspective drawing.

middle school art room ideas

#5- 1/2 Cartoon Face Digital Portraits

Student goal: With a photographed portrait, creatively divide the face in half and use digital drawing methods to stylize one side as a cartoon. Click here for free guided steps on how to do the 1/2 cartoon face portrait.

*This project was inspired by a viral challenge called #cartoonme. Lots of cool inspiration photos online!

half cartoon portrait

#6- Plaster Masks

Student goal: Using plaster strips upon a cardboard armature, create a wearable 3d mask. **In my class, we connected this to Hispanic heritage month and created Sugar Skull and Alebrije masks. We used this free template to create the armature for the mask.

middle school art room ideas

#7- Elements of Art Project

Student goal: Divide one subject into seven sections. In each section, illustrate each of the elements of art using a variety of materials. For more information on this lesson including step by step directions, click here.

elements of art review project

#8- Monochromatic Posterized Portrait Paintings

Student goal: Using a portrait of your choice, create a monochromatic, posterized portrait. **We used this method (with the free webpased program Pixlr) to digitally posterize our photo references prior to drawing and painting them on canvas.

middle school art room ideas

#9 Limited Color Scheme Landscapes

Student goal: Using a random color scheme of only 5 colors, create a composition of a landscape that shows a sense of space with foreground, mid ground and background. ** Click here to check out how I randomly assign students their 5 colors and their landscape setting. There is also a free guided video to show students how to begin this project.

middle school art room ideas

#10 Surreal Collage Perspective Rooms

Student goal: Draw a room with accurate 1 point perspective techniques and add color to all sides of the room. Then, creatively incorporate surreal collage images into the room. Click here to check out my FREE guided step by step instructions on how to draw a 1 point perspective room interior.

middle school art room ideas

#11- Open ended art challenges

Student goal: Using a random art challenge prompt (such as the #blendartchallenge) , artists will use a style and medium of their choice to compose a solution.

middle school art room ideas

#12-Monster Dolls (inspired by kid drawings)

Student goal: Using a drawing of a monster from a young child for inspiration, create a hand sewn stuffed animal. Use a variety of materials including felt, cloth, yarn, buttons, and more!

middle school art room ideas

#13- Wire Stocking Sculptures

Student goal: Using a block of wood as your base and a nylon stocking stretched over a manipulated wire hanger, create an interesting 3d form. Use acrylic paint to create a gradient of at least 3 colors.

This is a really popular project, if you are looking for step by step directions a quick google search of ‘wire stocking sculptures’ should get ya there!

middle school art room ideas

#14- Dictionary Page Drawings

Student goal: Given a random dictionary page, find at last one word on the page to illustrate visually. Use a variety of art media to contrast your drawn image with the busy background. ** For more info on this lesson, check out this link here.

middle school art room ideas

#15- Geometric Creatures

Student goal : On a watercolor wash background, draw a silhouette of a creature. Break your creature into polygonal shapes and add color with marker.

middle school art room ideas

#16- Collaborative School Logo “Quilt” Drawings

Student goal: Create a quilted tile section of the school logo. Use a material of your choice and a style of your choice to show your individual personality. **Note, the entire logo is visually connected by the black lines.

middle school art room ideas

#17- Faux Lined Paper Illusion Drawings

Student goal: On a white piece of paper, create a “faux” lined piece of paper with bending blue lines over a shaded pencil drawing. **My students used this awesome website by Julianna Kunstler to aid in our drawings. It was very helpful.

middle school art room ideas

#19 Linoleum block printing

Student goal: Create high contrast prints using a hand carved linoleum block.

middle school art room ideas

#20-Oil Pastel Dragon Eyes

Student goal: Use oil pastels to create a colorful drawing of dragon eye. Imply the texture of the scales through use of blending gradients. **Note- I am definitely not the teacher who created this idea, it’s pretty popular and oh-so-fun! I would love to credit whoever originally got this going, so let me know! My students used t his resource by Art by Ro to help us draw the dragon eyes.

middle school art room ideas

#21- Line Drawing Landscapes-in-a-shape

Student goal: Create a landscape in a shape that shows a sense of depth. Explore a variety of line drawing techniques such as hatching and stippling to add texture and value. **Note, this lesson comes from this post from Cassie Stephens who was inspired by an artist named Jen Aranyi.

middle school art room ideas

#22- ANYTHING op art!

Student goal: Choose from a choice board (I gave them lots of choices!), create an original op art drawing! **If you are interested in a fun op art drawing from Make a Mark Studios, check it out here! 🙂

middle school art room ideas

#23 Art History Reproductions

Student goal: Analyzing the brushstrokes, colors, and composition, recreate a famous artwork. **We created ours on our ceiling tiles as our 8th grade legacy works. C lick here for tips we learned along the way for painting on ceiling tiles.

middle school art room ideas

#24 Non Objective Abstract Art

Student goal: Use sharpie to draw a non objective abstract artwork with a variety of lines and shapes. Using oil pastels, color in the composition fully.

middle school art room ideas

#25 3D Creature Heads

Student goal: Use recyclables to build an armature of a 3d fictional creature head of your own imagination. Use paper mache or plaster strips to finalize your head . For full lesson on how to do this, check out my blog post here—

middle school art room ideas

#26 Glowing Light Bulb Drawing

Student goal: Use colored pencils on black paper to create the illusion of a glowing light bulb. For step by step guided tutorial and video, check out my full post here.

light bulb drawing

#27 Watercolor Mosaic

Student goal: Create a mosaic using cut tiles from a painted watercolor background. Explore either random polygonal tile shapes or a geometric repeated shape. For full lesson, check out my blog post here.

middle school art room ideas

#28 2 point perspective graffiti wall

Student goal: Create a personalized graffiti tag on an illustrated 2 point perspective brick wall. For a FREE full guided drawing lesson of how to do this, check out my blog post here.

middle school art room ideas

#27 Bauhaus Geometric Shape Paper Collages

Student goal: Create an asymmetrically balanced, geometric Bauhaus-inspired paper collage. For more info on this creative shape challenge, check out my blog post here.

middle school art room ideas

#28 Mixed Media Abstract Art with EMPHASIS

Student goal: Create a mixed media abstract artwork that employs the principle of design EMPHASIS to create a defined focal point. For more info on this lesson, c heck out my blog post here.

middle school art room ideas

#29 Hand Sewn Pop Tart Plushies!!

Student goal: Hand sew a pop art plushie inspired by contemporary felt artist, Lucy Sparrow! Step by step tutorial for how to sew a pop tart can be found here!

hand sewn pop tart

#30- Primary color, Pop Art Inspired Onomatopoeia Compositions!

Student goal: Create a composition of an onomatopoeia inspired by the pop artists using techniques such as ben day dots, primary color schemes, bold outlines, and more! Click here for the lesson on how to complete this Pop art project..

middle school art room ideas

#31- Color wheel in an Eye

Student goal: Using only 3 primary colors of paint, create a color of 12 analogous colors in an iris of an eye. Click here for a step by step tutorial of how to create a color wheel in an eye.

color wheel eye

Thanks for checking out this blog post! Please  follow Make a Mark Studios on Facebook  to keep up with the latest posts! Thanks in advance!

-Stephanie Villiotis , creator of Make a Mark Studios

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Sparkling Art Teacher Resources

14 Helpful Art Room Organization Ideas

art room organization ideas for art teachers

That moment when everything is in place for the start of the school year. This is Art Teacher Magic!

Whether you’re an art teacher graduate or a general ed teacher transitioning into art, you’re likely in need of some helpful art room organization tips and tricks. Because that room isn’t going to organize itself, right ? (sigh) Setting up an art room is a lot of (thankless) work.

Chances are you either walked into a completely bare room or an apocalyptic nightmare. And, you don’t know where to begin. I’ve been through both experiences. I’ll take the former over the later any day!

Setting up an art room can be an exciting, yet daunting task for brand new elementary and middle school art teachers. With all the art supplies, materials, and projects to manage, it’s essential to have a well-organized space that fosters creativity and maximizes efficiency. I’d like to share 14 helpful tips and tricks to assist you in organizing your art room .

If you walked into a room with piles for miles, your first thought might be to start throwing things away. And while I’m a huge fan of tidying up , I recommend you know what you’re throwing away before you actually junk it. Every summer the art teacher Facebook groups fill up with, “What’s this?” posts asking for help identifying tools and materials.

Instead of junking things, take note of what you have:

  • Desks or tables
  • Chairs or stools
  • A sink or no sink (boo!)
  • Closets and/or cabinets
  • Drawers for storage
  • Specialty furniture
  • Bulletin boards
  • Markerboard

art room floor space

My room is too small for a carpet. If I had one, it would have paint all over it. Instead, I put 3 lines of tape on the floor and kids sit in rows directly in front of the whiteboard. It’s not perfect. I do occasionally wind up with a kindergartener rolling under one of the tables. I know you can picture it, haha!

1. Plan Your Art Room Layout

Before diving into classroom decor or organizing your art room, take some time to plan your space effectively. Consider:

  • Accessibility of tools and materials

This will help you create a functional and engaging environment for your students.  

Ask yourself:

  • What area(s) in the art room will I teach from?
  • Do I have access to outlets in these areas for my laptop, desktop computer, and/or projector?
  • Is there space for a carpet for lower elementary to sit on the floor for lessons?
  • How can I position my work tables so students can be successful?

Sketch out your potential layout before you start moving any furniture. This will help with an potential pitfalls. Next, begin unpacking any newly shipped art materials and place them on tables near where you intend on storing them. Then, pull everything out of any cabinets or closets to sort them. And lastly, get everything back on shelves and in cabinets.

At this point, if you find dried up paint bottles or damaged art supplies, go ahead and junk them. Chances are you’ll come across some things you’re not quite sure what they are. Resist the urge to toss them! Find out what they are first.

Setting Up An Art Room Starts With Seating Arrangements

Arranging tables or desks in a way that encourages collaboration and interaction among students is key. It also makes sharing art materials easier.

Also, think about how students will enter and exit the room.

  • Is there enough space to accommodate a line?
  • Can students move freely between desks, especially when all the chairs are occupied?
  • Is there enough room to accommodate students lined up at the sink?

art room seating arrangement

Here’s what my room typically looks like on the first day back after summer break. My first step is to always get my furniture into place. And that includes the tables.

When I eventually received new tables and stools, walking around the art room was much easier. Ditch the chairs for stools, if you can get admin to go along.

art room tables and stools

Don’t let anyone convince you that stools are a bad idea for the art room. Not going to lie, I was nervous about them with kindergarten. I had no issues at all!

Art Teacher’s Desk

Lately the trend is to ditch the teacher desk. But I feel it’s important to have a safe space for important documents. IEPs, 504 plans, and other written communication from the office needs to be kept away from students. I keep these things in the bottom drawer of my desk. Dedicate an area for your desk, where you can manage paperwork, stash toiletries like deodorant (this job is taxing on the body!), and plan lessons.

teacher desk

No, really, this is my desk. It’s TINY! That’s because I’m not keen on my desk taking up that much space. It’s just enough to put a desktop computer on and some paperwork. Good enough! 

Paper Cutter Location

If you’re fortunate to have a paper cutter in your own room, planning its location is important. That’s because little children are curious creatures who are drawn to the handle like magnets to metal.

The size of my small art room makes it difficult to put the paper cutter in a spot completely away from students. So I have it near the sink area where I can keep an eye on it. 

SAFETY TIP: When you have littles in the room, throwing a pile of stuff on top of the paper cutter is a great way to diffuse its existence. In addition, I make it a point to never use it when they’re in the room. The sound of raising the blade attracts their attention.

paper cutter in my elementary art room

I scored this very low and wide table that I use to hold the paper cutter. And, there’s just enough room to keep a box underneath for all the cutting scraps. I reuse them for other art projects.

Construction Paper Organizer 

As you decide where to place your paper cutter, be sure to leave room for construction paper within arms reach. This wooden holder fits 9×12″ and 12×18″ construction paper. Here are some cheap  alternatives if you don’t have it in your budget to buy a pre-made paper holder:

  • Plastic Magazine Holders: Use magazine holders to store construction paper vertically. You can buy them cheaply at most office supply stores.
  • Plastic Paper Trays: Stacking paper trays or shelves with adjustable dividers will store paper easily and cheaply.
  • Cardboard Mailbox Holder: These are cheap and come in various sizes. Just be mindful that they will sag with too much weight added to them.
  • DIY Wooden paper Organizer: If you or friend is super handy with tools, try building your own! The benefit here is it’ll last forever.

paper storage for an art room

I never pass up an opportunity to sport a rainbow!

Drying Rack Location

As you plan your space, think about a logical place for drying racks:

  • Where will students travel to drop off wet artwork?
  • What obstacles will be in their path along the way?
  • Can they reach the racks?
  • Will you load them yourself?

Some racks are wall-mounted and others are freestanding. I have both kinds. I store the portable one on top of a short bookshelf. When kindergarten, first, and second graders are in the art room, I put the portable rack on the floor, if need be. 5th grade and up can definitely reach these higher, wall-mounted ones. So those are reserved for them.

art room drying rack

These are my wall-mounted drying racks that hold two 9×12″ artworks side by side. An art teacher can never have enough places for wet projects!

2. Art Supply Organization

One of the essential aspects of art room organization is keeping your art supplies in order. Here are some ideas to help you keep your materials easily accessible and well-managed:

Wet and Dry Storage

Ideally, you should have separate storage for both wet and dry art materials. 

Materials such as paint, glue, India ink, and printmaking inks should be near your sink area. I have several cabinets below my sink area for large gallons of paint and glue. But I also have an open bookshelf to organize smaller paint bottles, watercolors, tempera cake paints, and other paint-related supplies. It’s located directly behind my sink. What I love about this arrangement is that I, or some of my older students, can quickly grab and go.

art room shelves

I commandeered this bookshelf from another teacher getting rid of it. It was a real win for my art room organization because it made passing out paint supplies much easier.

Conversely, I save my storage cabinets and classroom closet for dry materials like felt, drawing materials, yarn, fabric, beads, ribbon, etc.

art room storage cabinets

This is one of the two cabinets in my art room. I like to organize by related materials. So all the drawing materials are together, the craft supplies, the random objects I’ve collected for kids to draw, etc.

Storing Sharps and Spray Cans in the Art Room

Store all spray cans and sharp tools, such as cutting blades or carving tools, in a designated locked cabinet. This ensures that access to these tools is limited to authorized individuals only, such as yourself or older students under strict supervision. The cabinet above stores all of these items because it’s the only cabinet in the room that locks. Prioritize securing these items.

And remember, when you’re absent, you never know who will be in your room. Or what they’ll be rummaging through. Or if they’ll let kids go through your cabinets on their own without permission in search of soft pastels and fill your room with clouds of dust (true story!). So secure and lock them up!

Organizing Frequently Used Art Materials

Markers, crayons, extra glue sticks, colored pencils, and rulers are just some basic art supplies students can grab freely. I sort these supplies into separate drawers in this nifty rolling cart. Consider using labels to make it easier for students to find what they need.

rolling storage cart

(Picture of cart before I placed on new drawer labels at the start of the year.) This cart has seen a lot of use! I use it to house all the basic tools and materials my students can grab easily.

Art Supply Caddies

I use caddies or small containers to hold scissors, glue sticks, and other frequently used supplies. This way, students can easily transport them to their workstations and return them afterward.

For my kindergarten students who like to touch everything, I use these pencil containers as mini art caddies. The idea here is to limit what you give them so they don’t wind up getting distracted by too many tools and materials.

art caddies for kindergarten art

Kinders? Love to touch E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. The idea here is to only give them what they need. In this case, it was scissors and glue.

However, 1st grade and up use these lovely rainbow colored art supply caddies. Each is color-coordinated with one of the 6 tables in my art room. In these, I put scissors, glue sticks, pencils, markers, etc. Just the basics of what they need. This reduces the need for kids to be up and down all period long.

art supply caddies for elementary art

I bought these 6 years ago at, of all places, Target!

3. Prepping Class Project Folders

To manage student artwork efficiently, I make construction paper folders for each class. Each grade level is a different color beginning with red for kindergarten, orange for first grade, and so on. Color-coordinating everything makes filing and retrieval easier! And it saves my sanity.

art class folders for storing art projects

At the start of every year, I take 12×18″ construction paper in rainbow colors, fold in half, and write their homeroom teacher’s name on them. All the folders are stored in these large blue caddies. Alternatively, you could use copy paper boxes. Allow enough room to accommodate large artworks.

This will help you keep their projects organized and provide a system for easy distribution and collection. Label each folder with the homeroom teacher’s name (or number). And keep them in an open, designated area. If you’re ever absent, you want a substitute to find them easily.

art project folders

As the marking period progresses, these art project folders get filled up quickly. Be sure to allow space for them to grow in your art room organization plan. P.S. If you’re wondering, my students painted the windows. You can learn more about the whole process in my blog post about window painting .

4. Recycled Containers Make for Cheap Storage Solutions

Recycled plastic or glass containers are an excellent resource for art room organization. They are often sturdy, freely available, and can be repurposed in various ways. Here are a few ideas:

  • Plastic jars and containers can store small art supplies like buttons, beads, sequins, brushes, or pipettes.
  • Tin cans can be covered and transformed into pencil holders or sewing needle containers.
  • Cardboard boxes can be used to store and organize paper, magazines, yarn or cardboard tubes.
  • Old flower vases are perfect for storing long-handled brushes.

plastic recycled containers for art room organization

Mmmm, soup! It was delish. But these containers also had a second life as brush and pipette holders. And since I like soup? I always have a fresh supply.

5. Hoard Resealable Bags!

Resealable bags are versatile and practical for art supply storage. They keep small items organized and prevent them from getting lost. Consider using them for items like googly eyes, pom-poms, or small beads.

Additionally, I’m not a fan of keeping the cardboard boxes that art supplies come in. They get beat up easily and not worth the effort. Ditch ’em!

Instead, I use the gallon size bags to contain colored pencils and markers and the sandwich size for crayons. Then, those get stored in my rolling cart, so students can help themselves. At clean-up time, they can just throw them back in the bag. No need to perfectly arrange crayons on rainbow order. No one has time for that!

resealable bags for storing crayons, markers, and colored pencils

I keep an ample supply of small and large resealable bags. They come in handy! I usually wind up changing out the bags mid-year.

Also, when you’re doing a project with really small pieces, the sandwich sized bags are great to have on hand.

plastic bags containing artist trading cards

Stock up on plastic resealable bags. They’re super handy and in a pinch are great for storing mini artwork like artist trading cards . Every student has their own sandwich-sized bag for their cards which I then contain in one larger gallon-sized bag for the whole class.

6. Baskets and Bins

Baskets and bins are lifesavers for art room organization. They come in various sizes and are perfect for storing or passing out project materials like fabric scraps, yarn, or beads. Place them on shelves or in cubbies to keep your art room tidy and accessible. I even keep the dirty plastic bins to use for plaster projects. Everything get used and re-used in an art room!

plastic baskets and bins in my art cabinet

If teacher friends ask if you want a used basket or bin, the only answer is, “YES!”

7. Bulk Up With Laundry Baskets

Laundry baskets can serve as bulk storage solutions in your art room. They’re great for holding oversized materials such as rolls of paper, cardboard scraps, or larger art projects. I primarily use them to hold smocks and tabletop easels.

laundry basket in the art room

Laundry baskets are cheap and durable. And make great storage solutions for large, bulky items.

8. Oversized Paper Storage

Storing and organizing large paper is such a pain! There’s the worry that it’ll get bent or torn. I’m a fan of this rolling cart. Some art catalogs also sell fixed drawers specifically designed for this.

oversized paper storage in an art room

I like to buy paper in bulk. And large. You save money that way. But it can be a hassle to deal with if you haven’t planned a space for it prior to cutting it down. Be sure to plan this before purchasing oversized paper!

9. Storage Hack: Paper Box Shelves

Now that you’re this far into your art room organization, you’re probably wondering, “What about storing wet 3D artworks?” It’s challenging having a small art room (or not art room at all) and attempting 3D art.

These paper box shelves are a great way to recycle something you might have laying around your school building into something functional.

paper box shelves step 10

These paper box shelves are so versatile!

When not in use, these boxes live in my closet. The closet is where I keep materials that are used infrequently such as batons of felt, plaster of paris, paper plates, and foil. And that’s because its location is in the hard-to-get, back corner of my small art room.

classroom closet

If your closet has better shelving than mine does, these copy paper boxes could double as storage for other art materials.

10. Plastic Bowls Are Great for Art Room Organization!

Everything in an art room has a second (and third) life. EVERYTHING. I bought these bowls when I was teaching summer art camp over 20 years ago. We were making paper mache bowls and I needed a mold. I continued to use them for this purpose. But then I also realized they’re perfect for scrap art projects like artist trading cards. I just keep them stashed on my bookshelf or in my closet when I don’t need them.

large plastic bowls for storing scrap paper

I call these “Bowls of Goodness.” It’s how I sell the idea to kids that scraps are cool.

11. Rolling Carts Are Your Friend

A rolling cart is a versatile and mobile storage solution for your art room. You can use it to store frequently used supplies, such as brushes and palettes. The cart can be easily moved around the room, allowing you to bring supplies to different workstations or store them away when not in use.

In my case, I use it right next to the sink as another shelf. As brushes and palettes get washed, they’re put back quickly.

art supply cart

The day the janitors left this rolling cart in my room was the day it became mine. Finders keepers?

I also have one for my document camera. And when I don’t need it, or when I need to get into the area behind it, it moves easily. I also store extra pencils, erasers, seating charts, and my teacher smock underneath. Seriously, I don’t waste any space!

document camera rolling cart

Being able to move this cart around helps make teaching art in a small room manageable.

12. Storing Art Posters

Art posters are both great teaching tools and quick classroom decor. But they’re a pain to store. To keep them organized and in good condition, consider the following tips:

  • Poster Tubes: Roll up your art posters and store them in poster tubes to prevent damage. Label each tube with the content for easy identification.
  • File Folders or Binders: If you have smaller art prints or posters, consider using file folders or binders with sheet protectors. This method allows you to flip through the pages easily and protects the prints from wear and tear.
  • Vertical Storage Shelves: These hold drawing boards and large posters easily.

vertical paper rack in the art room

This particular storage shelf also includes a place for drawers below it. I put specially items here as they’re closer to my desk and document camera cart. And they’re therefore more out of reach.

13. Free Space Is Not Just For Bingo

You can be super organized and get all your tools and materials in place. But when all is said and done, you need to leave some flux room. Because a day will come when you need to find an area in the room to set up an “art buffet” as I call it. I will often need to spread out materials for students to come help themselves. 

rainbow paper buffet in the art room

Ahhh, a pretty rainbow!

I have a few of these available spots in my room on my bookshelf that spans one side of my room as well as on top of my rolling paper and supply storage carts.

art room free space

The stuff on top of this cart can be cleared quickly to set up an impromptu art buffet. I can also use this nook to teach about the color wheel using my bulletin board.

14. Google Drive

In the digital age, utilizing technology for art room organization is a game-changer. Create a dedicated Google Drive folder to keep digital copies of lesson plans and materials, student artwork, and other important documents. This ensures easy access from any device and serves as a backup for your files.

google drive storage

Storing some project examples in Google Drive makes retrieving art project exemplars fast and easy.

Art Room Organization is the Key to Successful Art Teaching

Congratulations on embarking on your journey as a new art teacher! Setting up an art room is an important step towards creating a fun and inspiring space for your little artists. By implementing these 14 helpful art room organization ideas, you’ll be well-equipped to manage your supplies, projects, tools, and materials efficiently.

Remember, organizing your art room is an ongoing process. Stay open to experimenting with different systems and adjusting them based on your teaching style and the needs of your students. With time and experience, you’ll develop a well-oiled organizational system that supports student creativity.

Best of luck in your next adventure in teaching art!

Reader Interactions

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07/09/2023 at 6:29 AM

This is such a helpful blog. I’m teaching art for the first time in 22 years. I’ve been a grade level teacher for the past 18. The Facebook group has been a life preserver. Thanks!!

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06/17/2023 at 8:50 PM

Hi, Do you tell students to draw the picture for craftsmanship on the back of the artwork? Is that up all year?

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06/17/2023 at 9:34 PM

Hey Jessica, if you’re referring to my craftsmanship bulletin board ( https://glittermeetsglue.com/product/craftsmanship-rubric/ ), no. I use that in some lower elementary lessons as a guide to what I’m looking for in a particular lesson. So, if it’s a lesson using markers, I’ve taught them how to use the broad tip to overlap strokes. They can then use the bulletin board to refer to for what would be considered good craftsmanship. They’re familiar with the emoji faces because I also use them in self-assessment rubrics that I collect from them ( https://glittermeetsglue.com/product/editable-art-rubric-for-elementary-middle-school/ ). TO be clear, though, I don’t use the craftsmanship bulletin board for all lessons. And that’s because some projects involving mark-making are intentionally “messy” or dramatic. Using the same example with markers, a student can draw a turbulent sky with very chaotic marks that some might perceive as “sloppy.” But in fact, they’re intentional and expressive. So it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Hope that’s clear.

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06/17/2023 at 7:28 PM

How do you stop students from stealing your supplies?

06/17/2023 at 9:44 PM

Betty good question. The first thing you need to do is to label or mark everything with a number. Materials like Sharpies are easy. Those are snatched a lot by middle schoolers. You can either line them up in a row and spray paint with red paint across them. Or, you can make masking tape “flags” with numbers on them. I go the later route because I have students sign out materials on a chart and return them. THey’re doing this right in front of me, too. Another method is to fill a container with plaster of paris and as it dries, you push the caps of the Sharpies into it. Just the caps! When it dries, kids are only borrowing the marker, not the marker with a cap. So it’s less likely to be swiped. But that’s just one material. You’ll want to have random teachers coming to your room to borrow things also sign stuff out. Yep. Because they’re just as likely to swipe things. I keep a clipboard by the door and they just fill it out. Hope that helps!

06/17/2023 at 9:45 PM

I nearly forgot: I will also not release a class until all the materials are returned. In those instances, I’ve already stated at the start of the lesson, “I’m passing out X number of (whatever). I expect to receive X number of (whatever) back at the end of the period.” Then at the end of the period, I’m counting those materials being handed in out loud.

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06/17/2023 at 4:50 PM

Love your ideas can you post some of your lesson plans they look really interesting.

06/17/2023 at 4:57 PM

Hey Carol, three of them are ( https://glittermeetsglue.com/product/peter-max-game/ ), Kerri Ambrosino boats ( https://glittermeetsglue.com/product/kerri-ambrosino-sailboats-game/ ), and Katherine Bernhardt ( https://glittermeetsglue.com/wp/wp-admin/post.php?post=7442&action=edit ). There’s one that’s based on my Keith Haring project. That particular year, I just decided to go off script and do something different. But it started out based on my Karing project ( https://glittermeetsglue.com/product/keith-haring-game/ ). Hope that helps!

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About Glitter Meets Glue Designs

I design classroom resources for art teachers, classroom teachers, substitutes, and homeschooling parents to get students excited about learning art and art history.

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50+ Fun Additions to your Art Room Decor

art_room_decor

Art Class Posters, Storage, and Decorations that will Make You and Your Students Smile

It’s that time of year again…back to school! I head back to teaching art next week to Pre-K through 6th grade, and while I definitely wish the summer lasted longer, I look forward to many aspects of another year in the art room. One of my favorite activities before school starts is browsing for art room decor!

While I definitely can’t justify spending money on ALL these items, these are kind of a wish list of art class decorations and items that I’d love to eventually add to the art room. (All I need is just an unlimited budget and space!…) Some of these items are useful for art room storage and organization, some for teaching the elements and principles of art or famous artists, or for encouraging kindness and a growth mindset among students…other items are completely just for fun! (See “life size Bob Ross cardboard cutout” below!)

(If any of these items will work in your classroom or home art studio, they can be purchased by clicking on the links! Just fyi, some of these are affiliate links, which means I earn some revenue, at no additional cost to you, when you purchase using these links.)

Colorful Storage Caddies

I do actually have these caddies in my art room–they are so useful! I have six tables labeled by colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple), so these are perfect–each table knows to grab their color caddy. They have spaces to hold pencils, scissors, glue sticks, etc. so I don’t have to pass out every single supply individually. The top set also comes in a set of six neon colors (helpful in case you have more than six tables).

Bright Art Room Rugs

I don’t have a rug in my classroom this year, but in the past I had my tables arranged in a U-shape with an area rug in the middle of the U. It was a great place to have my pre-K and kindergarten students gather while I read them a story or talked with them before beginning a project. I almost want to rearrange my room this year just so I can add one of these rugs! (That last one is pricey but it’s my favorite–and each child could sit on one of the circles!)

Posters for the Art Classroom

Classroom management.

I will be adding the Mona Lisa Quiet poster to my art room this year (I have also seen many art teachers on Facebook say that they use the call and response “Mona!”…”Lisa!” to get kids’ attention, so I may try that as well). I like the idea of the art room rules spelling “ARTIST”, and I may try the Pete the Cat chart not as a clip-up/clip-down for individual students but perhaps for the class as a whole… (Maybe if the whole class stays in the top two spots they earn something like a pom-pom in their jar, working towards some kind of art class reward?)

Motivation and Encouragement

In my classroom I like to have a few encouraging words on the walls…some of my current posters have been there since the previous art teacher (so going on twelve years!). I think it’s time to replace at least a couple. I really want kids to understand that in art, as in all of life, we have to make many mistakes and wade through a lot of messiness in order to create something we are proud of. I particularly like the poster that says “Nobody’s perfect; that’s why pencils have erasers!”

Oriental Trading also has lots of great growth mindset and art-related posters to check out! (Love their crayon cutouts found here !)

middle school art room ideas

Educational Art Posters

I always have a color wheel on my wall, and signs listing the elements of art…I also like any of the “Know the Artist” posters by Crystal productions:

I also think these procedural types of posters can be helpful (who wishes they had more wall space?):

Ok, now for more “fun” stuff!

Miscellaneous Fun Stuff for the Art Room

It’s a Bob Ross cardboard cutout! Need I say more?? My students would LOVE this!

…Same goes for the Bob Ross bobblehead!

These colorful wall decals and garlands would be a fun way to add some color (especially love the every child is an artist” decal).

I don’t have a space for any pillows in my classroom, but if I did I would add all of these! (I may get a couple for my own house!)

If you need to make curtains for the art room (or a funky outfit for yourself), check out this crayon rainbow fabric by the yard!

…Or hang any of these shower curtains as window curtains instead, or just to create a fun backdrop in the art room!

Also, there’s a company I just discovered called Natural Life with THE most gorgeous wall hangings and artsy, free-spirited decorations you can use in your classroom or at home… I just bought this set of beautiful file folders (not with the school budget, of course, but just because they are pretty and make me smile)–now even my desk feels colorful and happy! If you haven’t visited their site I encourage you to check them out!

This last one is a book, not a decoration, but I have to say, no art classroom is complete without Beautiful Oops! I read it to my pre-K and kindergarten classes at the beginning of the year, but it’s also a great reminder for older kids (and even art teachers) that we can turn mistakes into something beautiful!

What else would you add to this list? If you have a TeachersPayTeachers item for the art classroom or anything else you’d love for your art room decor, drop a link in the comments! (Or share a photo of your art room–would love to see it!)

Also, check out this list of cool art-teacher themed t-shirts so YOU can be as well-decked-out as your classroom!

My Art Lesson

25 Activities for your art room early finishers

There is no worse phrase in the art room than “I’m done. Now what?”  It’s inevitable that some students will finish before others.  While we can close the gap to some degree, we can’t avoid the reality of early finishers. If you teach middle school or intro high school classes you know it’s imperative for some classes that you keep them busy less your class falls into total anarchy. So, here are some ways to deal with those legitimate early finishers. 

  • Visual Journals/sketchbooks/sketchbook prompts Sketchbooks can be really useful in the art room. From planning artwork, taking notes, practicing sketching, and trying out new techniques there is no shortage of ways to utilize them. Having a sketchbook also means students always have a creative activity. You can read more about sketchbooks here . Some teachers make sketchbook drawings mandatory and others leave them optional. You can have students paste a list of sketchbook prompts to the insider cover of their sketchbooks so they are ready with options when they have free time.
  • Mini projects Zentangles. flextangles, origami, magnet tiles, beads, snowflakes designs, grid handouts, paper weaving, etch-a-sketch, mini rainbow scratchboard, clay for stop motion app

Use your learning management systems Art teacher Jordan Brun writes, “I have a weekly discussion on canvas that encourages an open forum where they evaluate a work, find an element or principle of design, or disseminate a technique based on the media of the course.” Brun provided an example. Have a student look at a piece, like this one , and try to figure out how an artist did it.

  • Artists challenges This month, ask students to take part in the Inktober challenge . And there are more challenges out there. Check out this list .
  • Cleaning tasks. Now, some students will not stoop so low but many will enthusiastically tackle cleaning or organizational tasks, god bless them! Other students will conveniently find other productive things to do, and that can be fine too.

middle school art room ideas

  • Long-term side projects Have some long-term side projects that are self-paced for early finishers. This can be an opportunity to teach the artistic behavior of having more than one project going at once. It can also be a great way to find out what motivates a student. If they are interested in animation maybe they learn how to create a storyboard or make a flip book.
  • Giant Coloring Posters Some students really enjoy them and it really makes the art room look like a fun place. You can find examples, here and here . Or make your own!
  • Artist Trading cards

middle school art room ideas

  • The 20% project What is the 20% percent project you ask? 20 percent time, sometimes called “ Genius Hour ,” seeks to marry achievement and engagement by carving out space in the schedule for students to ask and answer their own questions. Read more here . Art teacher Abigail Arellano writes, “I’ve looked into the 20% project. I had the kids put together a list of things they would like to do art related and if they finish early they work on the 20% project. They get one grade at the end of the semester but it’s something they chose. I.e. Create an Etsy shop, work on a painting, learn to sew (small patterns they can sew by hand like stuffed animals), and create a YouTube video teaching how to do something.”
  • Make an online Portfolio Have students create online portfolios where they document their assignments from beginning to end. Early finishers can expand and write intro blurbs about themselves and artist statements about their work.
  • Art-related books, stories, and movies I find it inspirational to read about artists or see a film about artists. Obviously, pick age-appropriate choices and always prescreen materials. Some that I like include Chuck Close: Face Book , Chasing Vermeer ,  Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids , I, Juan de Pareja , The Second Mrs. Gioconda , Girl with a Pearl Earring ,
  • Pull and draw Jill Willis writes,”   I do “Pull and draw” where they draw a small prop out of a bag and have to draw it spending time and not rushing, etc.” Some ideas of items- pinecones, shells, sunglasses, geode, reflective objects like a Christmas ornament or spoon, origami crane, ribbon, feather, etc. 

middle school art room ideas

  • Art games A few popular ones: WatchamaDrawit ( https://amzn.to/3Nn2UuC ), Pictureka ( https://amzn.to/3wB6omL ) Roll-a-miro ( https://www.sdcdm.org/blog/2020/03/art-activity-roll-miro ) HUES and CUES ( https://amzn.to/3NoaPIr ) Mythical Creatures Drawing Game & Animal Art Ideas ( https://amzn.to/3wiFq4h ) Starving Artists Game ( https://amzn.to/3wvv6Fa ) *see more in this post
  • The paint chip challenge Jenn Lynch Postman developed what she calls “The paint chip Challenge.” She explains, “If you’re finishing a painting project and have the paint out you can have them do a paint chip challenge. Using primaries, black and white, they have to mix the paint to match the paint chip. I give nominal extra credit points for each one they get and have classes compete against one another. The idea came from Art of Education and my students love it.”
  • How to draw books How-to books are great skill builders and confidence builders! How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way Fashion Illustration Art: How to Draw Fun & Fabulous Figures, Trends, and Styles
  • Famous painting puzzles Van Gogh Puzzle Starry Night The Kiss by Gustav Klimt Puzzle The Scream by Edvard Munch
  • Ongoing collaborative projects We have an extensive list of ideas here . 
  • Art history Khan academy has great art history videos. One art teacher has students choose one Khan academy art history video, watch it, and write a response.
  • Art history parodies You can find examples and some good content on the topic here .
  • Creations inspired by Pinterest  One art teacher creates a Pinterest board with random creative ideas like fantasy art, architecture, holiday drawings, cartoons, flowers, cars, surrealism sketches, Tim Burton sketches, tattoo art, and mainly more creative artwork to get them thinking outside of the box.
  • Community Projects Sometimes I get requests from teachers or administrators and a happy match to be made by pairing a project up with an early finisher. There are other “do good” projects like the Memory Project and Empty Bowls out there. Or train a student or two in how to change out your bulletin boards.
  • Bonus! YouTube tutorials Examples: Paint Splatter Drawing How To Draw A Metallic Bow With Colored Pencil: Art Lesson And Tutorial Fun Stuff- Let’s Draw Cake!

https://myartlesson.com/narrowing-the-divide-between-the-tortoise-and-the-hare-aka-the-art-room-early-finishers-and-the-laggards

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middle school art room ideas

Middle School Art Project Ideas

Middle school art project ideas thumbnail

As we round the corner to back to school check out middle school art project ideas and how to handle the first days of school. Middle school art is all about building off the basics taught in elementary school and allowing students the space to explore subject matter and styles that interest them. They still need a lot of scaffolding and structure, but you can begin to give them some freedom to express themselves.

I love focusing on projects that teach important techniques while providing enough wiggle room for students to make unique works of art. This can be hard to do, they still need the structure to feel successful but you want to avoid cookie-cutter projects. I often use the elements of art and principles of design as a way to guide my curriculum while still including a wide range of materials and subjects.

Recent Middle School Art Projects

  • Clay Bell Project
  • 90 Sketchbook Prompts (Shop my TPT , shop my website )
  • Tar Paper Painting (Shop my TPT , shop my website )
  • Packaging Tape Transfer (Shop my TPT, shop my website )

Middle School Art Project Ideas-First Day of School

Middle school art project ideas-marker image

The first day of school can be chaotic. There are several administrative tasks that need to be completed, and it can be hard for wiggly middle schoolers to sit still and listen. I like to give them an activity, such as a get-to-know-you handout, to start on while I get everyone settled in their assigned seats. Once everyone is settled I go over the syllabus and we start a quick first-day activity.

The first day is all about keeping things moving and kids engaged. I don’t start longer projects until the second or third day of school. My go-to first-day projects are decorating portfolios (staple two pieces of posterboard together, and decorate with markers) or working on elements of art handouts.

First-Day Checklist

  • Assign seats before students arrive.
  • Pass out get-to-know-you handouts for students to fill out.
  • Pass out and review the course syllabus and class rules.
  • Decorate portfolios to use for the duration of the course.

Middle School Art Project Ideas-Popular Resources

Last summer I completed my first full year middle school curriculum. Over the course of the year, students are taught drawing, painting, and sculpting techniques. Each project focuses on an element of art or principles of design. This has become one of my most popular middle school items. Check out that pack as well as my other popular items below.

  • Full Year Middle School Art Curriculum (Shop my TP T , shop my w ebsite )
  • Zendoodle Activity Pack (Shop my TP T , shop my w ebsite )
  • Graphic Design Movie Poster Project (Shop my TPT, shop my website )

Thanks for stopping by, don’t forget to follow me on  Instagram  and  TikTok  for weekly visual journal demos. Until next time!

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21 Fabulous Middle School Classroom Decorating Ideas

Warm and inviting decor matters beyond elementary school!

Paired image of coastal themed classroom and giant pencil

Finding fun and affordable middle school classroom decor can be tricky. Your students are growing up, but in many ways they’re still young kids! We’ve come up with a list of ideas to help you get inspired to create a learning space you and your students will love (and deserve).

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Welcome your students in perfect cursive

Welcome

Snag this rug from Target or get one customized with your name.

2. Receive endless compliments on your otter stapler

Stapler in the shape of an otter

Make this otter tape dispenser your own! More of a narwhal or T-Rex person? We got you.

3. Start a dialogue

A middle school classroom décor bulletin board decorated with faux wood features the words "Let's Talk" and what appear to be conversation prompts. Student desks are in the foreground.

This bulletin board promotes healthy conversations among students.

Buy it: Shiplap Wallpaper , String Lights , Self-Adhesive Letters at Amazon

Source: @livmjev_mua

4. Set expectations for kindness

Two kindness poster

These kindness posters are both cute and free !

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5. Embrace your inner coastal teacher

Classroom decorated with a coastal theme

Even if you teach in Kansas 


Source: @ashleymckenziept

6. Experiment with flexible seating

Two bungee cord chairs in a classroom

This set of bungee cord chairs would be a great grant or Amazon wish list addition (even though teachers shouldn’t have to fund their own supplies 
).

Source: @heyitsmsj

7. Become a DIY wizard

In the corner of a classroom is a DIY desk made from parts ordered from Amazon, wooden boards, and pipe.

Make a great desk with hairpin legs, a wooden board, and metal piping.

Buy it: Tall Metal Hairpin Legs at Amazon

Source: @home_sweet_classroom

8. Spell it out with balloon letters

Balloon letters used on wall to spell out teacher's motto for the year

Use these Mylar balloon letters to craft your own motto.

9. Customize your cart

A teacher's weekly cart is organized by days of the week with colorful pink and pastel decorations.

Add a little flair while getting even more organized!

Buy it: Rolling Cart , Bulletin Board Paper at Amazon

Source: @happybeachreader

10. Update your library

Middle school classroom décor library that is full of books organized by color.

Too many books (is there such thing)? Add some storage space!

Buy it: White Bookshelf at Amazon

Source: @saralevineblog

11. Inspire with this poster bundle

Inspiring classroom posters

We love the fresh graphics and colors in this beautiful set of mindset posters at Amazon .

12. Roll up a seat

Large black yoga ball with a stability ring around the bottom for the purpose of using the ball as a chair.

Flexible seating can also be functional and fun. Check out other flexible seating options here .

Buy it: Stability Ball at Amazon

13. Share words of encouragement

Green cabinets in middle school classroom décor with motivational and inspiring sayings on the cabinet doors.

Use cabinets and counter space to give everyone a boost.

Buy it: Inspirational Posters , Letter Board at Amazon

Source: @bloomintheclassroom

14. Catch their eye with this vibrant periodic table

A vibrant periodic table on a black pbackground for classroom

Who said the periodic table can’t be beautiful?

Buy it: Periodic Table Poster at Amazon

15. Highlight mental health

Tall dresser cabinet middle school classroom décor with a large piece of paper that says

Open up an ongoing conversation about the importance of mental health with these decor ideas.

Buy it: Emotions Chart , Wellness Wheel at Amazon

Source: @affirmationsandaccessibility

16. Math teachers, how bad do you want this math clock?

Clock with simple equations instead of hour and minute numbers for students to practice math

Kids start getting squirrelly around square-root-of-four o’clock.

Buy it: Math Clock at Amazon

17. Share some wisdom from important historical figures

Classroom wall with inspirational quotes in minimalist style

Source: @teachtogrow

18. How about an ombre wall?

Classroom wall painted in ombre style

Congratulations to the lucky souls who are allowed to paint their classroom walls.

Source: @schoolgirlstyle

19. You and your teammates need these giant 4-foot pencils

Four foot personalized pencil from an Etsy seller

Check out this giant pencil and the rest of this Etsy seller’s shop too!

20. Create a relaxation nook

Middle school classroom décor designed to be a comfortable nook for students that features decorative netting, cozy pillows, and books.

Life can get pretty stressful. Offer a space where students can decompress.

Buy it: Hoop Canopy , Neutral Throw Pillows , Round Side Table , Tall Plastic Vase , Artificial Plant at Amazon

Source: @missjacobslittlelearners

21. Make a DIY birthday cake pencil holder

DIY pencil holder made to look like a birthday cake

See how the Craft Patch Blog made this impossibly darling (and functional) classroom feature .

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21 Fabulous Middle School Classroom Decorating Ideas

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47 Inspiring Art Activities For Middle School Students

October 19, 2023 //  by  Eisha Mohsin

There’s nothing quite like creative art projects to break the monotonous routine of middle school students. Contrary to popular opinion, artistic ability is not an innate skill, but rather something that can be honed and developed with practice but finding art projects that are engaging and immersive can be tricky. Look no further- we’ve gathered a list of 47 art projects for middle school that your kiddos will love. Which one will you get them started on first?

1. 3D Snowflakes

middle school art room ideas

This craft project is bound to be a big hit with your kiddos, especially around wintertime. All you’ll need is a few sheets of paper, ideally in varying shades of blue. Print out the snowflake template from the link above, and have them cut and stack the snowflakes onto each other for a 3D effect. Optional: decorate with glitter!

Learn More: Kids’ Craft Room

2. Line Practice

middle school art room ideas

No art lesson is complete without line practice . Have your kiddies dedicate an entire lesson to just lines since this will come in handy when they’re sketching. If they need inspiration, you can us print out this handy and ask them to copy the patterns to the best of their ability.

Learn More: Kitchen Table Classroom

3. Thumbprint Art

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This is a fun and versatile idea that can be tailored to suit any age group. All you’ll need is a piece of paper and some basic supplies like paints and markers. Your kiddos will love how hands-on this activity is! They get to paint with their own thumbs and be as creative as they want to with the art that they create- what’s not to love?

Learn More: Hello, Wonderful

4. Collaborative Mural

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This art project idea involves giving your students large pieces of paper and acrylic paints in a vast array of colors. Divide the class into groups and let them work on this project over the course of a few lessons. Give each group full creative freedom regarding their section of the wall and watch them create a unique mural.

Learn More: What Have I Learned

5. Self-Portrait

middle school art room ideas

This is an amazing activity to try with older middle schoolers. If there’s one thing most famous artists have in common, it’s that they all painted self-portraits! Examine a few famous self-portraits with your kiddos and discuss what they give away about the artist. Now, ask them to create their own self-portrait and reflect on what it reveals about them.

Learn More: Hi Mama

6. Faux Stained Glass Painting

middle school art room ideas

This activity requires a slightly higher skill level than the rest but is still kid-friendly. Get a dollar store picture frame and put a printed outline of choice inside the frame to use as a template. Have your little artists paint the glass with a mix of paint and glue, then once dry, finish the piece by outlining shapes with a black permanent marker for a gorgeous stained glass effect!

Learn More: Fabulessly Frugal

7. Chalk Art Projects

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Create a fun game out of this idea which only requires colored chalk. Take your kiddies out to a paved surface where they can easily draw with chalk. Give them prompts to draw, for example, their favorite food, flower, or article of clothing within a set time. Let their creativity flow! 

Learn More: Tiny Blue House

8. Grid Drawing

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Get your kiddos on the grid! Teach them how to perfect more complicated art projects by drawing onto a grid. Encourage them to take the piece one square at a time, and this will help them to balance proportions in their artwork. You can make the grids bigger or smaller depending on what level of detail you’d like them to achieve. 

Learn More: Pinterest

9. Geometric Shape Drawing

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This colorful project challenges your kids to draw and paint an animal, only using geometric shapes. Although this may initially seem challenging, there are several animal forms that can be artistically replicated using shapes only! What animals will they come up with?

Learn More: Tree Valley Academy

10. Halloween Pebble Paperweights

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This is a super fun art project to do around Halloween time. Have your kiddos collect a pebble from outside, then paint their favorite Halloween character onto it. The best few pieces can be displayed around the class during Halloween week for an extra spooky feel.

11. Fibonacci Circles

fibonacci-art-journal-pages.jpg

This is an art and math lesson all rolled together in one! Have your learners draw and cut out circles with diameters that correspond to the numbers of the Fibonacci sequence, then let them each arrange them into a colorful piece of art! Marvel at the different layouts and combinations that they come up with!

Learn More: W h at Do We Do All Day

12. Sculpture Art

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This cool project involves taking a rather complex art form and making it simple and accessible to middle schoolers. Instead of using cement, have your kiddies use packaging tape to create a 3D sculpture of a person. You’ll be surprised to see how realistic the final result is!

Learn More: Look Between the Lines

13. Bubble Wrap Art

middle school art room ideas

Repurpose any bubble wrap you have lying around for your kiddos to create a beautiful painting. Take some black paper and a few neon-colored paints. Start by cutting the bubble wrap in circles, then paint the bubble wrap with neon-colored paints. Before the paint dries have them imprint it on a sheet of paper and add details to create these interesting pieces of artwork.

14. Thumbprint Biography

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A project that’s truly as unique as your kids are! Use the photocopier to blow up each of your kiddies’ fingerprints then use the printed result as a template for them to write their biography on. Encourage them to make it as colorful as possible. It’ll be a little labor-intensive, but the results are well worth the effort!

Learn More: Julie Ballew

15. Create a Comic Strip

middle school art room ideas

Does your class love comic books ? Get them to practice their storytelling skills and display their artistic prowess at the same time by downloading a comic strip stencil like this one. Challenge them to come up with a short but effective comic strip that links to your class topic, or give them free rein to create a story of their own. The possibilities are endless!

Learn More: Really Good Designs

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Use up your scrap paper for this next project. Start by cutting up any spare pieces of craft paper you have into different-sized and shaped pieces. Then, let your kiddos use these pieces to create their own masterpieces! These pieces will look great displayed on the walls of your classroom. 

Learn More: Art with Mr. Hall

17. Metal Foil Art

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Explore texture with this next idea. Have your students create this stunning effect by drawing their design onto some metal foil with an embossing pen. Flip the foil over then use paints or markers to add color. The raised, metallic effect is the perfect way to create a spooky atmosphere in this winter-themed craft!

Learn More: Sebenta Marta

18. Easter Egg Painting

middle school art room ideas

Get egg-cited for this Easter craft! Grab a bunch of eggs and go through the process of dyeing them in pastel colors with your class. Once they’re dry, have each kiddie decorate one each! Add even more fun by awarding a prize for the best decorated egg or you could even consider hosting a classroom-wide easter egg hunt once everybody is done!

Learn More: Active Littles

19. Origami Art Installation

Origami is like magic – just when you think a piece of paper is all folded up, it unfolds into something incredible! Let your kiddos relax with the calming art of origami and together your class can create an amazing art installation. Show them how to create the pieces you need then let them have a go. The end result will be an impressive display!

Learn More: YouTube

20. Resin Art

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Resin art is all the rage at the moment! From creating bookmarks to art pieces to coasters- the options are endless. Have your kiddies forage for some leaves and flowers to use in their art then help them mix and pour the resin. The best part is that if done right, the final product looks absolutely mesmerizing and makes for a great handmade gift for them to take home as well!

Learn More: Art in Context

21. Dream Catcher Creation

middle school art room ideas

Dive into the mystical by guiding your kids to create their own dream catchers . You can discuss the Native American origins and the cultural significance, then provide hoops, threads, beads, and feathers for a hands-on exploration of art and history.

Learn More: Crafts by Courtney

22. Nature Scavenger Hunt Art

middle school art room ideas

This one’s for the nature lovers! Organize a nature scavenger hunt where your kiddos can gather leaves, twigs, flowers, and more natural materials. Post-hunt, they can use these materials to create unique nature-inspired art pieces. What a super creative way to foster an appreciation for nature and the outdoors!

Learn More: Green Child Magazine

23. Art from Recyclables

middle school art room ideas

Reduce, reuse, create! Spark creativity and environmental awareness by encouraging your learners to create art from recycled materials. Give them a variety of recyclables like cardboard, plastic bottles, and old newspapers, then watch as they transform trash into treasure.

Learn More: Clean River

24. Puppetry Arts

Combine drama and art with this fun idea! Introduce your kiddos to puppet-making, and have them create their very own characters. Once they’re happy with their puppets, get them into groups and have them script and perform short puppet shows for the rest of the class. This is the perfect way to foster storytelling skills alongside crafting abilities.

25. Clay Sculpting

middle school art room ideas

Clay sculpting is the art of making something out of almost nothing – all it takes is a bit of imagination and a lot of squishing! Give your little sculptors clay to create various objects, animals, or figures. This tactile activity encourages creativity and can be a calming sensory experience for them. 

Learn More: Craft in America

26. Wearable Art

Inspire your kiddies to make some art that they can actually wear! Let them design and create their very own jewelry with this paper mache bracelet craft. This hands-on project is a fantastic avenue for self-expression and exploring the fusion of functionality and aesthetics in art. By the end of the day, you’ll have a bunch of totally unique designs for them to wear home!

27. Historical Art Re-creation

middle school art room ideas

From Monet to Picasso, the history of art is varied and full of inspiration! Choose a period in art history to study with your kiddos and teach them about its characteristics. Next, let them get hands-on and recreate or reimagine artworks in that style. They’ll love this engaging way to combine art practice with historical learning!

Learn More: Teach Starter

28. Photography Challenge

middle school art room ideas

Say cheese! Equip your kiddos with cameras or iPads, and set them on a photography challenge around school grounds! You can assign themes or subjects to capture, and encourage them to gain a new perspective and appreciation for their everyday surroundings. 

Learn More: Capture 24

29. Mixed Media Collage

middle school art room ideas

Let chaos and creativity collide in a beautiful, artsy explosion! Give your kids the chance to explore mixed media by creating fantastic collages. Provide an assortment of different materials – fabric, magazine clippings, paints, markers, and more, and let their imaginations run wild. You can make this activity more challenging for middle schoolers by giving them a specific theme!

Learn More: The Artful Parent

30. Artistic Story Stones

middle school art room ideas

Challenge your kiddos with this creative storytelling craft! Let them paint or draw on stones to create story stones, where each stone represents a different item, character, or emotion in the story. You can follow this activity up nicely with a creative writing lesson where they can then use their story stones to craft and share their imaginative narrative!

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

31. Wind Chime Crafting

Get creative with a range of different materials with this idea. Guide your kiddies to craft their own wind chimes using materials like clay, metal, or wood to explore the different materials and discover varied sounds and musical notes they make! Once they’re finished, why not hang your wind chimes in an outdoor learning space so they can be enjoyed by the whole school?

32. Found Object Sculptures

middle school art room ideas

Wacky meets wonderful in this found object sculpture craft! Challenge your little artists to create sculptures from some cardboard and random objects like bottle tops, cutlery, pieces of plastic – anything they find lying around! You’re not just teaching art, you’re teaching them to see the potential and beauty in everyday items.

Learn More: The Art Teacher

33. Shadow Art

middle school art room ideas

This idea explores the playful side of light and shadow. Give your kiddos some cardboard and colored cellophane and see how creative they can be! Guide them to sketch, then cut out their design, before gluing the colored pieces of cellophane down. All that’s left is to wait for the sun to come out and head outside!

Learn More: The Best Ideas for Kids

34. Kinetic Sand Art

Who doesn’t love kinetic sand? Give your kids some kinetic sand and let them shape and mold to create magnificent structures or crazy landscapes. Your class will love this calming sensory activity that fosters creativity and encourages them to experiment!

35.  Mind Maps Art

middle school art room ideas

Blend visual art with brainstorming by creating colorful mind maps. This is a super way to introduce a new topic or subject to your learners, or it could map out a project. Logical thinking meets creative expression!

Learn More: Edrawmind

36. Poetry Illustration

middle school art room ideas

Bring visualizations to life! Have your kiddos select their favorite poem and get them to create an illustration or artwork inspired by it. This activity fuses literary and visual arts, enriching your class’ understanding of both.

Learn More: The Art of Education

37. Mask Making

middle school art room ideas

What’s behind the mask? Exploring cultural or theatrical masks can be both educational and creative! Let your kiddies design and craft masks of their own using paper, cardboard, feathers, and more, to reflect different cultural, historical, or imaginative themes. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with!

38. Watercolor Exploration

middle school art room ideas

Watercolors teach the art of going with the flow, one delicate stroke at a time! Set your kids up with some watercolor paints and let them have fun exploring this unique medium. Through experimenting with different techniques, they learn about color blending and layering to create a range of different effects. 

Learn More: Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

39. Mindful Doodling

middle school art room ideas

Why not practice some mindfulness with your kiddos? Encourage mindful doodling or Zentangle art to promote relaxation and creativity. Give them some markers and a blank page and let them doodle as their minds wander. This meditative activity is the perfect way to boost focus and artistic expression while keeping your classroom calm.

Learn More: Lightly Sketched

40. DIY Musical Instruments

middle school art room ideas

This idea is a super way to repurpose and recycle items like old coffee cans or plastic bottles. Crafting simple musical instruments from these everyday materials not only teaches your kiddies about music and sound but also opens doors for a homemade orchestra and creative musical exploration. Let’s make some noise!

Learn More: Music In Our Homeschool

41. Urban Sketching Adventure

Take art outside! Lead your kiddos on an urban sketching adventure around the school or local area, encouraging them to sketch scenes or objects they find interesting, honing observation and drawing skills. They’ll gain a whole new appreciation for their local area and improve their artistic skills in the process!

42. Silk Painting

Explore the unique medium of silk painting. Using specialized silk paint, your little artists can create beautiful, vibrant artwork on silk fabric. This project gives them a chance to try out this amazing traditional art form and requires them to have patience, attention to detail, and a steady hand! The end results will be beautiful!

Learn More: Gathered

43. Community Art Project

middle school art room ideas

Make art a community endeavor! Engage your kids in a community art project, like painting a mural in the school or crafting art for a local nursing home. It’s a wonderful way to instill a sense of community and the positive impact of art. What a super way to bring everyone together!

Learn More: Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa

44. Yarn Bombing School

middle school art room ideas

Weave some fun around your school with this craft project! Introduce your kiddos to the wacky world of yarn bombing by decorating a part of the school with colorful knitted, or crocheted yarn! It’s a cozy way to explore public art and crafting.

Learn More: Twinkl

45. Zen Garden Creation

middle school art room ideas

In the chaos of school, a zen garden could be a welcome moment of calm! Guide your students to create miniature Zen gardens, discussing the principles of Zen and the calming nature of raking sand and arranging the stones. It’s a peaceful activity that also introduces cultural appreciation to your class.

Learn More: Guidepost Montessori

46. Performance Art Exploration

Drama meets art in this next idea! Challenge your kiddos to create and perform short performance art pieces. Encourage them to use their bodies as part of their art as they learn about how this modern art form pushes boundaries. With no limit on creativity, the results are sure to be out of this world!

47. Animation Basics

Action! Introduce your learners to basic animation techniques through a stop-motion animation project. Have them create their own short animations, using modeling clay, paper pieces, or even LEGOS to learn about and have a go at this exciting and modern art form. They’ll love creating their animations and playing them back to the rest of the class!

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middle school art room ideas

Art in Moscow: Museums, Galleries and Museum-Reserves

There is no strict dress code in Moscow museums. However, if you are going to explore ancient churches and holy places we recommend more conservative outwear. Women should have their heads covered.

All state museums and galleries are free every third Sunday of the month. Some of the Moscow museums are free on holidays, and during the «Museum days» and «Museum Night».

If you’re looking for great cultural tours around art points of Moscow, we have a great MOSCOW ART & DESIGN TOUR , available for you everyday except Mondays.

Moscow Museums

The Moscow Kremlin

The Moscow Kremlin

Don’t miss a chance to see the very heart of Moscow, the Kremlin, the symbol of the Russian State, one of the greatest architectural ensembles in the world, a treasury of unusual relics and monuments of art. It is situated on a high Borovitskiy hill above the Moskva River, so you’ll be able to see a spectacular view of the city center. The famous Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund are real treasure-houses, where you can see ancient Russian regalia, ceremonial tsar’s dress, church hierarchs’ vestments, arms, gold and silverware by Russian, European and Eastern masters. The Kremlin is the official President’s residence and remains a gorgeous political landmark. The UNESCO has included the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin in the World Heritage List.

Site: http://www.kreml.ru/

The State Historical Museum

middle school art room ideas

Ivan Zabelin, Aleksey Uvarov, and several other Slavophiles founded the State Historical Museum in 1872 to promote Russian history and national self-awareness. During its century-long history, the museum has collected more than 4.5 million of valuable items and over 12 million pages of documental archives. Its exhibitions range from relics of prehistoric tribes that lived in the territory of present-day Russia, through priceless artworks acquired by members of the Romanov dynasty. The museum’s historical building which was reconstructed and equipped to meet all the visitors requirements is on the Red Square.

Site: http://www.shm.ru/

The State Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery takes a special place among the national art museums of the world. Established with the efforts of one person, the dedicated collector Pavel Tretyakov, it possesses a unique collection of Russian art, more than 150000 masterpieces, created by famous Russian artists throughout the centuries. The historic building of the State Tretyakov Gallery at Lavrushinski Lane presents Russian art from the 11th through the early 20th century. The state Tretyakov Gallery at Krymsky Val has an excellent collection of Russian art of the 20th century, modern art and holds temporary exhibitions.

Site: http://www.tretyakovgallery.ru/

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

middle school art room ideas

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is one the largest European museums of fine art. It has one of the most remarkable collections of fine arts in Russia that consists of artworks from ancient times to the present day. Visitors can see great paintings by world famous artists: Rembrandt, Botticelli, Canaletto, Tiepolo, along with the remarkable collections of Impressionists, Post-impressionists, modernists: Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso and others. Moreover, the museum holds the private collectors’ galleries, many of were inaccessible to public for many years.

Site: http://www.arts-museum.ru/

Moscow Museum of Modern Art

Moscow Museum of Modern Art

Moscow Museum of Modern Art specializes in the modern art of 20th and 21st centuries. The famous Russian artist and sculptor Zurab Tsereteli has founded it. The museum is located in four historic buildings in Petrovka Street, Gogolevsky Boulevard, Ermolaevsky lane and Tverskoy Boulevard. The museum’s collection depicts the development of avant-garde. The largest part of the collection consists of masterpieces of Russian artists, but you can also find works by Anri Russo, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso and many others.

Site: http://www.mmoma.ru/

The Moscow Planetarium

The Moscow Planetarium

The Planetarium in Moscow first opened its doors in 1929. After a global reconstruction, it was reopened in 2011. Now it is a multifunctional complex that combines scientific and educational resources: the interactive museum «Lunarium», the Museum of Urania, the Big Star Hall and the Sky Park, family recreation center, that focuses on different age groups. The Moscow Planetarium is one of the biggest planetariums in the world.

Site: http://www.planetarium-moscow.ru/

Moscow Galleries

Garage museum of contemporary art.

Inside Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Hall

Exhibit on display during the opening of «Art Experiment»

The museum is a kind of independent platform aimed to disclose and reveal a new way of thinking. The Garage Center currently reflects the contemporary innovations of national and world’s culture. It invites you to the beautiful world of modern art, showing its best pieces. This center offers a great number of various exhibitions, educational projects for kids and adults, and publishing. The Garage Center is also called The Museum of Everything. It provides ways and reasons for public dialogue and the creation of progressive ideas.

Site: http://garageccc.com/

The Multimedia Art Museum

Fifty Years of Bond Style Exhibition

Fifty Years of Bond Style Exhibition

The Multimedia Art Museum opened in October 2010 at the base of the Moscow House of Photography. One of the main principles of MAMM s work is complete openness to the new forms of visual expression and for the fresh, innovative trends in the Russian and foreign media art and photography. There are seven floors of spacious exhibition halls and minimalist architecture that is a great font for modern art. The exhibition history of MAMM and Moscow House of Photography counts more than 1300 exhibitions in Russia and abroad. Moreover, Multimedia Art Museum has different educational programs and holds famous Moscow art festivals: Photobiennale, «Fashion and Style in Photography» and others.

Site: http://www.mamm-mdf.ru/

Lumiere Brothers Photography Center

Lumiere Brothers Photography Center

This modern photo gallery is located in the very heart of Moscow, next to the Kremlin, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, big art galleries, design studios famous clubs and restaurants. The photography Center houses in an old and huge mansion at the Moskva River Embankment. Lumiere Brothers Photography Center has three huge exhibition rooms, lecture hall, library with an immense collection of rare books in photography and an independent bookshop. The Center is conducting research work, organizing educational projects, providing a base for the future Russian Museum of Photography.

Site: http://www.lumiere.ru/

Winzavod

Winzavod (Wine Factory) is the first and the biggest Center of Contemporary Art in our country. It unites all the areas of modern culture: exhibitions, festivals, lecture programs, cinema, concerts, theater premieres. You will find here a big amount of art galleries, artists’ workshops, designers and photographers studios, art cafes, fashion showrooms, a bookshop, children’s studio and many other things. The purpose of Winzavod is to support and to develop Russian contemporary art, art initiatives and help talented young people. Visiting Winzavod you will see the art that defines not only today’s but also tomorrow’s life.

Site: http://www.winzavod.ru/

middle school art room ideas

The Manezh was built in 1817 in honor of the 5th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the 1812 war. Then it was called «Exerzierhaus», building, intended for military drills. The building has the unique construction – wooden structure trusses overlap the space of 44.86 square meters without any intermediate supports. After 1917, Manezh served as a garage for government vehicles. And since 1957 it has been continuously used for exhibitions and public events. In 2004, the building was severely damaged by fire. Renovated in 2005 the Manezh doubled its area. Nowadays it is one of the leading Moscow exhibition halls. There are two exhibition spaces, a conference room and a cafe on the third-floor observation deck. The Manezh hosts numerous fairs, festivals, and exhibitions.

Site: http://moscowmanege.ru/

Flacon Design Factory

Flacon Design Factory

Flacon Design Factory, located in the territory of a former glass factory, has become a pioneer in the revitalization of industrial zone outside the historic center of Moscow. Flacon has become a powerful launch pad for multiple cool projects, self-expression of creative individuals and carrying-out of sociocultural initiatives. No wonder that the atmosphere at Flacon entirely coincides with its motto: «Create as you please!» The Factory includes offices, co-working zone, shops, workshops, exhibition and creative projects spaces. Lectures, film screenings, fairs, design festivals, innovative exhibitions, presentations, concerts, limited actions and design community work days pass here weekly.

Site: http://flacon.ru/

Artplay

Artplay is near Winzavod in the former industrial space in the area Kurskaya metro station and occupies an area of 75,000 square meters. Artplay, providing a new life to carefully reconstructed factory buildings, has become an important part of the contemporary cultural landscape of the city. Artplay unites designers, architects, furniture, lighting, ceramics, decorative materials shops, involving them in cooperation with each other. Young Moscow galleries, artists’ studios, cafes, bars, bookstores, music club, school of design, theater, children’s art studio are also situated here. Three exhibition halls regularly host contemporary art exhibitions, festivals, video art, alternative music concerts, performances, film screenings, lectures and master classes.

Site: http://www.artplay.ru/

CCI Fabrika

CCI Fabrika

The Center For Creative Industries «Fabrika» is an art space for non-commercial creative projects. Today it is the example of peaceful coexistence of art business, operating enterprise, production, and workplaces for talented people in Moscow. CCI Fabrika is a member of the international network of non-profit cultural centers – Trans Europe Halls. This project is a typical umbrella-center. It is developing in both ways: creating and exhibiting its cultural projects and offering workspaces for other creative groups. Here you can find art studios and workshops of design, architecture, cinema, theater, cartoon animation and contemporary music studios.

Site: http://www.proektfabrika.ru/

Moscow Museum-Reserves

Tsaritsyno State Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno State Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno State Museum-Reserve is one of the largest historical, cultural, recreation and touristic complexes. Its total area is more than 700 hectares. It is an excellent combination of nature – marvelous rivers, ponds, streams, forests – and scientifically restored and renovated architectural and landscape monuments. The museum’s collection of historical items, exhibitions, and educational programs will be attractive for both national visitors and foreign tourists.

Site: http://www.tsaritsyno-museum.ru/

Arkhangelskoye Country Estate

Arkhangelskoe Estate

Russian cultural monument is a good sublimation of the stunning beauty of a green space and luxurious collection of paintings, sculptures, unique books and pieces arts and crafts. During its long history, the estate was used as a recreation place for emperors, politicians, famous writers and poets. Today it is the finest place to have an enjoyable walk and to see the richest collection Russian art.

Site: http://www.arhangelskoe.su/

Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve

Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve

A unique historic place – Kolomenskoe – is situated in the picturesque surrounding over the Moscow River banks. A magnificent country estate has appeared at the lands full of legends. Archeological discoveries state that the first settlements appeared here in the VIII century. It is an ancient and uniquely formed place. Today this is a unique complex of cultural monuments of high historical value.

Site: http://mgomz.ru/kolomenskoe

Sergiev-Posad City

Sergiev Posad

Sergiev Posad Museum-Reserve

Museum of Sergiev-Posad is a historical and art reserve. It is located within the unique wall of the St. Sergius Trinity Lavra. This ancient monastery gathered its treasures during centuries from the tsars, princes and boyars donations. Moreover, many art and craft items were made at Lavra’s workshops. Now, the collections of Sergiev-Posad Museum-Reserve include rare, ancient icons, Cyrillic alphabet books, medieval manuscripts, visual art items, gold and silver showpieces.

Site: http://www.stsl.ru/

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The Ultimate List of Secondary Art Room Bellringers

If you teach at the secondary level, you know the problems “passing time” can cause for classroom management. Sure, it’s great for a quick bathroom trip or coffee refill, but issues can arise as students trickle in over the course of five or ten minutes. Classroom management can become off-kilter before class officially begins.

bellringer question

One way to ensure a smooth start to class is through the use of bellringers.

Bellringers are short activities used at the beginning of class to get students thinking critically and creatively. They engage early arrivers from the moment they step through the door and help transition pokey students quickly.

Bellringers can be designed and administered in many ways. For example, you could try starting class with a question  or having students work on an  ongoing side project as soon as they arrive. However you approach them, bellringers are key to getting students involved and engaged right off the bat.

As you consider ways to incorporate bellringers into your secondary art room, take a look at the extensive list of ideas below.

We’ve put together five thematic lists for you to tweak and adapt to fit your needs.

These include reflection questions, brainstorming prompts, philosophical discussion starters, art history trivia, and technique and vocabulary questions. Download them all below!

themed-bell-ringers-1

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You could use a different theme for each day of the week or simply pick and choose what works best for your students according to their ages and abilities.

If the art history, technique, or vocabulary questions are too tricky, let students use classroom tablets or their own devices to research the answers. They’ll be more likely to remember the information if they look it up themselves!

As you use these questions, think about crafting more of your own. You might want to keep a running list in your planner as you introduce new techniques, methods, or artistic styles.

What have you found to be the best way to start a secondary art class off on the right foot? 

How do you incorporate bellringers in your art room?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

middle school art room ideas

Tracy Hare, a middle school art educator, is a former AOEU Writer. She strives to deepen students’ 21st-century skills by encouraging them to practice critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

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How to Easily Break Down AP Art and Design Portfolios

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  1. Art room entrance. Poca Middle School. Art Classroom Door, Classroom

    middle school art room ideas

  2. Ideal Middle School

    middle school art room ideas

  3. Inspiring Art Rooms

    middle school art room ideas

  4. Middle School Art Show Ideas

    middle school art room ideas

  5. Setting up art room Middle School Art Projects, Art Lessons Middle

    middle school art room ideas

  6. School Art Room Decorating Ideas

    middle school art room ideas

COMMENTS

  1. My Favorite Middle School Art Projects » Make a Mark Studios

    #1- 3D Shadowbox Collages Student goal: Use found collage images to create layers of depth inside a 3D foam core shadowbox. Click here for the full lesson of this 3d shadowbox collage project. Created by Kylie Created by Delaney A. Created by John M. #2- Colored Light Self Portraits

  2. 460 Middle school art room ideas

    460 Middle school art room ideas | middle school art, art room, art classroom Middle school art room 469 Pins 6y J Collection by Jackie Williamson Wilson Similar ideas popular now Middle School Art Art Room Art Classroom Teaching Art Elementary Art Art Classroom Decor Ela Classroom Classroom Design Classroom Setup Classroom Displays

  3. 14 Helpful Art Room Organization Ideas

    1. Plan Your Art Room Layout. Before diving into classroom decor or organizing your art room, take some time to plan your space effectively. Consider: Layout. Flow. Accessibility of tools and materials. This will help you create a functional and engaging environment for your students.

  4. 270 Middle school art room ideas

    Jan 28, 2020 - Explore Michelle Garcia's board "Middle school art room" on Pinterest. See more ideas about middle school art, art room, art classroom.

  5. 50+ Fun Additions to your Art Room Decor

    Colorful Storage Caddies. I do actually have these caddies in my art room-they are so useful! I have six tables labeled by colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple), so these are perfect-each table knows to grab their color caddy. They have spaces to hold pencils, scissors, glue sticks, etc. so I don't have to pass out every ...

  6. 5 Successful One-Day Art Lessons for the Middle School Classroom

    Curriculum Design 5 Successful One-Day Art Lessons for the Middle School Classroom Andrea Wlodarczyk | May 4, 2022 We've all been there. You start your day with grand intentions for a stellar lesson. Still, your plans are interrupted for whatever reason, and you can't quite pull it together.

  7. 25 Unique Art Projects for Middle Schoolers

    1. Giant-sized comic strip What Do We Do All Day?/Make Your Own Giant Comic Strip via whatdowedoallday.com Regardless of your artistic abilities, creating comic strips is a fun way to express yourself. We especially love the idea of getting down on the floor and creating a larger-than-life story.

  8. Middle school Art Room Ideas

    Jun 9, 2022 - Explore Emily Puls's board "Middle school Art Room Ideas" on Pinterest. See more ideas about art room, middle school art, art classroom.

  9. 25 Activities for your art room early finishers

    Sketchbooks can be really useful in the art room. From planning artwork, taking notes, practicing sketching, and trying out new techniques there is no shortage of ways to utilize them. Having a sketchbook also means students always have a creative activity. You can read more about sketchbooks here.

  10. 4 Units Every Middle Schooler Should Experience

    1. Observational Drawing Unit Drawing is an essential skill in the art-making process. If a student struggles with drawing, they certainly will have to work hard, but that also means there is room for growth. Teaching an observational drawing unit in a middle school class will ensure student growth and really emphasize "learning to see."

  11. Middle School Art Project Ideas

    Over the course of the year, students are taught drawing, painting, and sculpting techniques. Each project focuses on an element of art or principles of design. This has become one of my most popular middle school items. Check out that pack as well as my other popular items below. Graphic Design Movie Poster Project (Shop my TPT, shop my website)

  12. A Complete List of Supplies for Your New Art Room

    Download the Middle School Art Room Starter Supply List below. Find similar resources in the Pack, Surviving Your First Year of Middle School in PRO Learning . Jennifer Borel walks you through middle school-specific organizational ideas, as well as valuable classroom management strategies.

  13. Middle School Classroom Decor Ideas That Are Easy and Fun

    21 Fabulous Middle School Classroom Decorating Ideas Warm and inviting decor matters beyond elementary school! By Jeanne Croteau Jul 18, 2022 Finding fun and affordable middle school classroom decor can be tricky. Your students are growing up, but in many ways they're still young kids!

  14. 900+ Middle school art room ideas in 2023

    Aug 24, 2023 - Explore Jenna's board "middle school art room" on Pinterest. See more ideas about middle school art, art lessons, teaching art.

  15. 47 Inspiring Art Activities For Middle School Students

    There's nothing quite like creative art projects to break the monotonous routine of middle school students. Contrary to popular opinion, artistic ability is not an innate skill, but rather something that can be honed and developed with practice but finding art projects that are engaging and immersive can be tricky.

  16. MOSCOW MIDDLE SCHOOL ART

    My love of art and teaching has grown since I was a child. Prior to starting my teaching career in Central California, I graduated with a degree in Art and Education from the University of California, Berkeley . When my husband decided on graduate school at he University of Idaho, we were pleased to find such a vibrant art community in Moscow.

  17. 8 Fundamental Routines That Will Transform Your Art Room

    1. Enter the art room in a consistent, quiet manner. This can work week-to-week or day-to-day. I use a visual prompt at my door each day for students to read as they enter. 2. Try, "3-2-1; show me the Mona Lisa." This is an awesome attention-getter I learned in the Managing the Art Room course!

  18. Art in Moscow: Museums, Galleries and Museum-Reserves

    Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Moscow Museum of Modern Art specializes in the modern art of 20th and 21st centuries. The famous Russian artist and sculptor Zurab Tsereteli has founded it. The museum is located in four historic buildings in Petrovka Street, Gogolevsky Boulevard, Ermolaevsky lane and Tverskoy Boulevard.

  19. Middle School Art Room

    Aug 11, 2023 - Explore Cheri Mccarty-Hacker's board "Middle School Art Room", followed by 169 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about middle school art, art room, art classroom.

  20. Booyah Brix Tamana on Instagram: "Day 2: The Middle One The focus on

    304 likes, 22 comments - booyahbrix on February 12, 2024: "Day 2: The Middle One The focus on this year's #valentineshabitats24 are on my three loves...." Booyah Brix Tamana on Instagram: "Day 2: The Middle One 💜 The focus on this year's #valentineshabitats24 are on my three loves... my 3 kids. â˜ș Here is Shanaya (9 soon to be 10yrs).

  21. Moscow School of Painting (c.1500-1700): Icons, Murals

    For earlier styles of Medieval painting in Russia, please see our article on the Novgorod School of Icon Painting (1100-1500). For later painting styles from the 17th century, see: Petrine art (1686-1725) in St Petersburg, under Tsar Peter the Great. This introduced Russian Painting (18th century), dominated by religious murals and portraiture.

  22. 58 Art Room: Decor ideas

    Middle School Art Classroom Decorations High School Art Office Organization At Work Diy Office Office Crafts Craft Room Office Home Office Space Home Office Design Home Office Decor Home Decor Office Ideas Chalk Painted Filing Cabinet Makeover obsessing over this shade of pink lately... Interior office Interior innovative work space

  23. Maps of Moscow Wall Art: Prints, Paintings & Posters

    Kids' Room Art Ideas; Kitchen Art Ideas; Living Room Art Ideas; Shop All Room Ideas; Gallery Walls. Subjects / Places / Europe / Russia / Moscow / Maps of Moscow. Maps of Moscow. 27 Items. Filter By: ... English School. Giclee Print. 12" x 18", Multiple Sizes. From. $25. Moscow Yellow Subway Map NaxArt. Art Print. 9" x 12", Multiple Sizes. From ...

  24. The Ultimate List of Secondary Art Room Bellringers

    The Ultimate List of Secondary Art Room Bellringers. Tracy Hare | October 10, 2016. If you teach at the secondary level, you know the problems "passing time" can cause for classroom management. Sure, it's great for a quick bathroom trip or coffee refill, but issues can arise as students trickle in over the course of five or ten minutes.