Lesson Plan
Drawing: Story Time! Lesson Plan
Students will be able to use basic shapes and lines to draw a character and a simple background, developing their imagination and drawing skills.
Learning to draw helps students express themselves creatively, develop fine motor skills, and visualize stories. This lesson provides a fun and accessible entry point into art.
Audience
1st-3rd Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through guided drawing and imaginative prompts, students will create their own story drawings.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck, Drawing paper, Pencils, Erasers, and Crayons or colored pencils
Prep
Prepare Materials & Review
10 minutes
- Gather all drawing supplies: paper, pencils, erasers, crayons/colored pencils.
- Set up the whiteboard or projector to display the Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck.
- Review the Drawing: Story Time! Lesson Plan and Drawing: Story Time! Script to familiarize yourself with the lesson flow and talking points.
- Print out the Story Starters Worksheet for each student if desired.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Imagination Spark
5 minutes
- Begin with the Creative Critter Warm-Up activity.
- Show the first slide of the Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck and use the Drawing: Story Time! Script to guide students in thinking about different shapes they see in the world.
- Ask students to share some shapes they observe.
Step 2
Introduction: Drawing Our Stories
5 minutes
- Introduce the idea of drawing a story. Use the Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck and the Drawing: Story Time! Script to explain that today they will be artists creating their own visual stories.
- Emphasize that there's no
Step 3
Story Time!
20 minutes
- Display the Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck and use the Drawing: Story Time! Script to walk students through the process of drawing a character and a scene.
- Step 1: Choose a character! Encourage students to pick an animal or a person. Guide them to use basic shapes like circles, ovals, and rectangles to start their character. (e.g., "Let's start with a big circle for the head, and an oval for the body.")
- Step 2: Add details! Help them add features like eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and clothing. Remind them that it doesn't have to be perfect. "Think about what makes your character special! Maybe they have big happy eyes or silly pointy ears."
- Step 3: Create a setting! Guide students to draw a simple background for their character. It could be a park, a house, a forest, or even outer space! Use simple lines and shapes for trees, sun, clouds, or buildings.
- Step 4: Add color and bring it to life! Encourage students to use crayons or colored pencils to fill in their drawings. "What colors will make your story pop?"
- Circulate around the room, offering encouragement and individual guidance. Ask open-ended questions like, "What is your character doing in your story?" or "What adventures will they have?"
- Play some calming background music during this drawing time.
- For early finishers, suggest they add more details, another character, or write a short sentence about their drawing. Alternatively, provide the Story Starters Worksheet for additional prompts.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Welcome, Artists!
Today, we're going on a drawing adventure!
Welcome students and get them ready for a fun drawing session. Ask them to think about different shapes they see every day.
Shapes Are Everywhere!
Circles, squares, triangles, oh my!
We can use them to draw anything!
Introduce the idea of using shapes to draw anything. Ask students what shapes they see around them (e.g., sun is a circle, door is a rectangle).
Draw a Story!
Your imagination is the best paintbrush!
Let's create our own drawing stories.
Explain that today they will draw a story. Emphasize that there is no 'perfect' way to draw and creativity is key.
Step 1: Choose Your Character
Who will be in your story?
Is it a playful puppy? A brave knight? A silly monster?
Start with simple shapes for their body!
Guide students to choose a character. Encourage them to think of animals, people, or even imaginary friends. Remind them to start with basic shapes.
Step 2: Add Details!
Give your character a face, clothes, and cool accessories!
What makes them unique?
Instruct students to add details to their character. Encourage them to be creative with eyes, smiles, clothes, etc. Reassure them that mistakes are part of the process.
Step 3: Create a Setting
Where does your story happen?
Is it in a sunny park? A spooky castle? Underwater?
Guide students to draw a simple background for their character. Brainstorm different settings like a park, a house, a forest, or even a different planet.
Step 4: Color Your Story!
Use your crayons or colored pencils to make your drawing POP!
What colors will make your story vibrant?
Encourage students to use colors to bring their drawings to life. Remind them that colors can show feelings and mood.
Time to Share!
Show off your amazing story drawings!
Every artist has a unique story to tell.
Conclude the lesson by asking students to share their drawings. Praise their creativity and effort.
Script
Drawing: Story Time! Script
Warm-Up: Imagination Spark (5 minutes)
"Good morning, amazing artists! Today, we are going on a super fun drawing adventure. But before we pick up our pencils, let's get our imaginations warmed up!"
"Look around the room, or even just at your hand. What shapes do you see? Think about circles, squares, triangles, ovals, and rectangles. Can you spot any?"
Pause for student responses. Guide them to see shapes in everyday objects.
"Great observations! Our world is full of amazing shapes, and guess what? We can use those very same shapes to draw anything we can imagine!"
Introduction: Drawing Our Stories (5 minutes)
"Today, we're not just drawing pictures; we're drawing stories! Think about your favorite books. They have characters, right? And those characters are doing things in different places. Well, today, you get to be the author and the illustrator of your very own visual story!"
"There's no right or wrong way to draw a story. Your imagination is the only rule! We'll use simple shapes and lines to bring our ideas to life on paper."
Story Time! (20 minutes)
"Alright, let's get started on our story drawings!"
Step 1: Choose Your Character
"Every good story needs a character! Who will be the star of your drawing today? Will it be a playful puppy? A brave knight? A silly monster? Or maybe even YOU!"
"Once you have an idea, let's start with some simple shapes for their body. If you're drawing a person, you might start with a big circle for their head and an oval for their body. If it's a fluffy cloud monster, maybe lots of wavy lines!"
Circulate and assist students in getting started with basic shapes for their character. Refer to Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck slide 4.
Step 2: Add Details!
"Now, let's make your character special! What kind of eyes do they have? A big happy smile? Are they wearing a fancy hat or super cool shoes? These details make your character unique!"
Encourage students to add features and accessories. Reassure them that it doesn't have to be perfect. Refer to Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck slide 5.
Step 3: Create a Setting
"Where does your character's story happen? Is it in a sunny park? A spooky castle? Underwater in the ocean? On a different planet? Think about where your character is having their adventure."
"Draw a simple background for your character. You can use lines for mountains, circles for suns, and rectangles for buildings. It doesn't need to be super detailed, just enough to show where your story is taking place!"
Guide students to add a simple background. Refer to Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck slide 6.
Step 4: Color Your Story!
"Now for the most colorful part! It's time to use your crayons or colored pencils to bring your story to life! What colors will make your character pop? What colors will show if it's a bright day or a mysterious night?"
Play some calming background music. Circulate, offer individual guidance, and ask questions about their stories. Refer to Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck slide 7.
*For early finishers: "If you finish early, you can add more details to your scene, draw another character, or even write one sentence at the bottom of your paper about what is happening in your story! You can also try a Story Starters Worksheet!"
Time to Share! (Implicit during activity/last few minutes)
"Alright, artists! It looks like everyone has created an incredible story drawing. Let's take a few minutes to share our amazing artwork! Who would like to show us their story and tell us about their character and their adventure?"
Facilitate a brief sharing session, praising creativity and effort. Refer to Drawing: Story Time! Slide Deck slide 8.
"Fantastic work today, everyone! You are all amazing storytellers and artists!"
Warm Up
Creative Critter Warm-Up
Objective: To get your imagination warmed up and ready to draw by thinking about how simple shapes can make new things!
Instructions:
- Look at the shapes: Your teacher will show you some basic shapes on the board or screen (circles, squares, triangles, ovals).
- Imagine a critter: Can you imagine an animal or a silly creature that uses only those shapes? For example, maybe a square body, circle head, and triangle ears?
- Share your idea: When your teacher asks, be ready to share what kind of critter you imagined and what shapes you would use to draw it!
My Creative Critter Idea:
Worksheet
Story Starters Worksheet
Sometimes, it's fun to have a little help starting our stories! Read the ideas below and pick one that sounds fun to draw. Then, draw your character and their adventure in the space below!
Choose one of these ideas to inspire your drawing:
- Idea 1: A tiny mouse who finds a giant cookie.
- Idea 2: A superhero cat who saves a lost bird.
- Idea 3: A friendly robot who lives in a flower garden.
- Idea 4: A brave explorer discovering a secret cave.