From Unit Plan: Let's Be Artists!

The following are available in the Teacher Store.

Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola
Use this brightly illustrated story to introduce the unit on artists and illustrators.

Frida by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Ana Juan
Use this wonderful tribute to Frida Kahlo for discussion on how painting is used to express feelings.

Cherries and Cherry Pits by Vera B. Williams
Use this intriguing story as an introduction to drawing a story. A partner book would be Harold and the Purple Crayon.

I Can Draw Animals by Ray Gibson, illustrated by Amanda Barlow
Place this book in the art center for students to follow the easy, step-by-step process for drawing animals.

The Paint Brush Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla, illustrated by Ellen Beier
Use this book to introduce painting murals.

25 Literacy-Building Art Activities: Easy Art Projects With Companion Poems and Lessons That Build Skills in Phonemic Awareness, Oral Language, Early Writing, and More by Ellen Booth Church
Integrate art into the reading curriculum with these fun art projects.

25 Terrific Art Projects Based on Favorite Picture Books: Easy How-to's for Delightful Art Projects That Enrich Kids' Reading Experience by Karen Backus, Mary Thompson, Linda Cerulli Evans
This book has great art projects based on illustrators' styles. Use it to enrich your reading program.

Here are some additional books that I use for teaching this unit. Look for them in your school library.

Miranda's Smile by Thomas Locker
This is a book about an artist trying to capture a smile. It's a great book to use when learning to draw a portrait.

Month-by-Month Masterpieces: Explorations of 10 Great Works with Step-by-Step Art Projects by Bobbi Chertok, Marilyn Rosh, Goody Hirshfeld
Explore these great masterpieces and then create an art project in the style of the artists.

Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Ahlsburg
This is an intriguing story about ants. It has wonderful pictures for teaching about drawing from an ant's perspective.

From Pictures to Words by Janet Stevens
This is the perfect book for teaching about what an illustrator does.

Alphabet Adventure by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Bruce Wood
The students love painting in the style of this brightly colored alphabet book.