Lesson Plan
What’s Your Line Style?
Students will identify and draw straight, curved, zigzag, and wavy lines through guided discovery and hands-on drawing, developing fine motor control and creative expression.
Exploring different line types lays the groundwork for mark-making skills, strengthens pencil grasp, and sparks creativity, helping kindergarteners observe and express the world around them.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Model, explore, then create.
Materials
Chart Paper or Whiteboard, Felt Tip Markers, Crayons or Markers, Drawing Paper, Line Detective Prompt Cards, Line Types Showcase Slide Deck, Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet, and Line Exploration Rubric
Prep
Review and Gather Materials
5 minutes
- Collect Chart Paper or Whiteboard and Felt Tip Markers.
- Print or prepare digital copies of Line Detective Prompt Cards, Line Types Showcase Slide Deck, Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet, and Line Exploration Rubric.
- Arrange drawing materials (paper, crayons/markers) at student tables.
- Familiarize yourself with each line type and associated examples.
Step 1
Line Detective (Warm-Up)
4 minutes
- Introduce the four line types: straight, curved, zigzag, and wavy.
- Show a prompt card from Line Detective Prompt Cards and ask: “What kind of line is this?”
- Draw student responses on the Chart Paper or Whiteboard to reinforce definitions.
- Invite volunteers to spot similar lines around the classroom.
Step 2
Line Types Showcase (Slide-Deck)
4 minutes
- Display Line Types Showcase Slide Deck slide by slide.
- For each line type, ask: “What line do you see?” and “How might this line feel or move?”
- Relate lines to everyday objects (e.g., straight like a ruler, wavy like ocean waves).
- Encourage gestures: students trace shapes in the air.
Step 3
Expressive Lines Drawing (Activity)
8 minutes
- Distribute Drawing Paper and Crayons or Markers.
- Hand out Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet or draw four quadrants on paper.
- Prompt students to practice each line type in its own section, then create a simple picture using that line expressively.
- Circulate to support proper grip, celebrate variety, and ask prompting questions: “What story does your zigzag line tell?”.
Step 4
Line Exploration Rubric & Sharing
4 minutes
- Introduce the Line Exploration Rubric, highlighting criteria: use of all four line types, creative expressiveness, and effort.
- Guide students through a quick self-check: “Did I try every line? Did I add details?”
- Invite 2–3 students to share their favorite line drawing and explain why.
- Collect drawings and rubrics for reference.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Line Types Showcase
Today we will look at four kinds of lines: straight, curved, zigzag, and wavy. Let’s see how they look and feel!
Introduce this slide deck to explore four fun line types. Encourage students to see and feel each line.
Straight Lines
───────
• Goes in one direction without bending.
• Strong and steady—like a ruler!
Point to the straight line. Ask: What do you notice? How might it feel? Invite students to trace it in the air.
Curved Lines
∩∪∩∪∩
• Bends smoothly in an arc.
• Soft and flowing—like a rainbow!
Show the curved line. Ask: Where have you seen curves? (Rainbows, slides)
Invite air-tracing gestures.
Zigzag Lines
////
• Goes back and forth with points.
• Exciting and energetic—like lightning!
Highlight the sharp angles. Ask: What story could a zigzag line tell? (Lightning, mountain peaks)
Have students mimic with finger.
Wavy Lines
• Falls and rises in smooth waves.
• Calm and rhythmic—like ocean waves!
Point to the wavy line. Ask: How does it move? (Ocean waves)
Encourage students to sway their hands.
Activity
Expressive Lines Drawing Activity
Purpose: Practice drawing straight, curved, zigzag, and wavy lines, then use each line type to create a simple picture, fostering fine-motor control and creative expression.
Materials:
- Drawing Paper
- Crayons or Markers
- Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet
Steps:
1. Distribute Drawing Paper, Crayons/Markers, and the Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet.
2. Explain: “Our paper is divided into four boxes—one for each line type.”
3. Practice Lines:
- Box 1: Draw several straight lines.
- Box 2: Draw several curved lines.
- Box 3: Draw several zigzag lines.
- Box 4: Draw several wavy lines.
4. Creative Drawing:
- Pick one quadrant, then use that line type to draw a simple picture (e.g., straight-line building, wavy-line ocean).
- Rotate through other quadrants if time allows.
5. Circulate to:
- Check pencil/crayon grip.
- Offer encouragement (“I love how your zigzag line looks like lightning!”).
- Ask guiding questions:
• “What story does your zigzag line tell?”
• “How does your wavy line move?”
• “Can you make your curved lines into a rainbow?”
Extension:
• Invite a friend to add lines to your picture—mix line styles!
Reflection:
After drawing, students will complete a quick self-check using the Line Exploration Rubric:
- Did I draw all four line types?
- Did I use each line to make a picture?
- Did I try my best?
Warm Up
Line Detective (Warm-Up)
Time: 4 minutes
Materials:
- Line Detective Prompt Cards
- Chart Paper or Whiteboard
- Felt Tip Markers
Instructions:
- Gather students at the front and briefly name the four line types: straight, curved, zigzag, wavy.
- Reveal one Line Detective Prompt Card and ask: “What kind of line do you see?”
- When a student answers, draw that line on the board, saying its name and describing its shape.
- Challenge the class to scan the room and spot that same line type in books, posters, or furniture; invite a volunteer to share their discovery.
- Repeat with 3–4 different cards, keeping the pace brisk to sharpen observation and line-type recognition.
Slide Deck
Line Types Showcase
Today we're going to explore four kinds of lines: straight, curved, zigzag, and wavy. Look at how these lines appear in real life and in our own artwork!
Introduce the slide deck, explain that we'll see lines around us and in their drawings. Invite students to listen for each line name.
Straight Lines
───────
• Go in one direction without bending.
• Strong and steady—like the bars of a fence or the edge of a book.
• In our art: Jenna drew a tall building using straight lines!
Point to the straight line. Ask students where they have seen straight lines in the classroom. Show a photo or drawing of a fence, ruler, or framed picture. Invite students to trace it in the air.
Curved Lines
∩∪∩
• Bend smoothly in an arc.
• Soft and flowing—like a rainbow or a slide.
• In our art: Carlos drew rolling hills with curved lines!
Emphasize the smooth curve. Invite students to make a rainbow shape with their hands. Ask: Where have you seen curves? (Slides, rainbows, hills)
Zigzag Lines
////
• Go back and forth with sharp angles.
• Exciting and energetic—like lightning bolts or mountain peaks.
• In our art: Aisha’s zigzag sun rays pop off the page!
Highlight the sharp points. Ask: What does a zigzag line remind you of? (Lightning, mountain peaks) Show a student example and have kids mimic the shape with their finger.
Wavy Lines
• Rise and fall in smooth waves.
• Calm and rhythmic—like ocean waves or a flowing ribbon.
• In our art: Liam drew a wavy river across his paper!
Demonstrate a gentle wave with your hand. Invite students to sway like ocean waves. Ask where they’ve seen wavy lines (rivers, ribbons).
Activity
Expressive Lines Drawing (Activity)
Purpose: Practice drawing straight, curved, zigzag, and wavy lines, then use each line type to create a simple, expressive composition—building fine-motor control and creativity.
Materials:
- Drawing Paper
- Crayons or Markers
- Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet
Steps:
- Distribute Drawing Paper, Crayons/Markers, and the Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet.
- Explain that the worksheet (or their paper) is divided into four boxes—one for each line type.
- Practice Lines: In each box, have students draw several of the assigned line:
- Box 1: Straight lines
- Box 2: Curved lines
- Box 3: Zigzag lines
- Box 4: Wavy lines
- Creative Drawing: Invite students to pick one quadrant and use that line type to draw a simple picture (e.g., straight‐line house, wavy‐line ocean). If time allows, they can rotate to other quadrants and add more pictures.
- Circulate as students work to:
- Check and support proper crayon/marker grip
- Offer praise (“I love how your zigzag looks like a mountain!”)
- Ask guiding questions:
• “What story does your zigzag line tell?”
• “How does your wavy line move?”
• “Can you turn your curved lines into a rainbow?”
Extension:
- Partner up: invite a friend to add a new line style to your picture and mix line types.
Reflection:
Use the Line Exploration Rubric for a quick self-check:
- Did I draw all four line types?
- Did I use each type to make a picture?
- Did I try my best?
Rubric
Line Exploration Rubric
This rubric guides students’ self-checks and teacher assessment. Circle the level that best describes each criterion.
| Criteria | 4 – Excellent | 3 – Good | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use of All Line Types | Clearly drew straight, curved, zigzag, and wavy lines in each section. | Drew three line types correctly and tried the fourth. | Drew two line types correctly; others are incomplete. | Drew fewer than two line types or shapes are unclear. |
| Creativity & Expressiveness | Lines used to make a unique, imaginative picture. | Picture shows some creative use of lines. | Picture is simple with limited creativity. | Lines are only practiced; no picture created. |
| Effort & Participation | Tried each line type with enthusiasm; stayed on task. | Tried most lines; mostly on task. | Needed some prompts to keep drawing. | Gave up quickly or did not attempt some lines. |
| Neatness & Control | Lines are smooth, consistent, and well‐controlled. | Lines are mostly steady with minor wobbles. | Lines are often shaky but recognizable. | Lines are very uneven or hard to identify. |
Worksheet
Expressive Lines Drawing Worksheet
Instructions: Use your crayons or markers to practice drawing each line type in the boxes below. Then, choose one box and use that line type to create a simple picture in the space provided.
Box 1: Straight Lines
Draw several straight lines here:
Box 2: Curved Lines
Draw several curved lines here:
Box 3: Zigzag Lines
Draw several zigzag lines here:
Box 4: Wavy Lines
Draw several wavy lines here:
Cool Down
Line Reflection (Cool-Down)
Time: 4 minutes
Materials: Drawing Paper, Crayon or Pencil
Instructions:
- Think about the four line types you explored today (straight, curved, zigzag, wavy).
- Choose your favorite line type and draw a small picture using that line in the box below.
- Write (or tell) your teacher: “My favorite line was ___ because ___.”
Draw your favorite line here:
My favorite line was _____________ because ________________: