Art projects are a fantastic way to engage middle school students across various subjects like art, social studies, language arts, and even math. These projects not only align with national standards but also help students express themselves creatively while reinforcing interdisciplinary skills. Here are some creative junior high art projects that can be added to your curriculum to inspire and showcase the talents of your student artists.
1. Proportions and Gesture Drawing:
Projected Time: 1-2 weeks
Skills: sketching, figure proportions, gesture drawings, note-taking
Additional Materials: projector, student sketchbooks, pencils, colored pencils, paints or India ink (optional)
In this lesson, students will explore figure proportions and gesture drawing while learning about art history. They will practice sketching in the style of artists they have studied and fill their drawings with color to demonstrate their learning.
2. Radial Paper Relief Sculpture:
Projected Time: 30-60 minutes (one class period)
Skills: linear and radial symmetry, folding paper
Additional Materials: projector and square construction paper
This art project combines math and art by teaching students about linear and radial symmetry through paper-folding. The final sculptures can be used as classroom decorations for events like open house.
3. Claude Monet Water Lilies Collaboration Poster:
Projected Time: 1-5 class periods, depending on group size
Skills: coloring or painting, collaborative work
Additional Materials: coloring materials (crayons, colored pencils, paint, markers, etc.)
This collaborative project allows students to work together to create a large-scale version of Claude Monet’s “Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies.” It’s a fun group activity that can serve as a decorative piece for the classroom or hallway.
4. Ancient Greek Vase Art Project:
Projected Time: 2-5 class periods
Skills: sketching, reading comprehension, expository writing, self-assessment
Additional Materials: dice, Sharpies, markers
This project aligns with Common Core State Standards for writing and offers a creative way to study ancient Greek pottery and history. Students will decorate their vases based on a dice game and reflect on their work using a self-assessment chart.
5. Roll and Draw Picasso Face:
Projected Time: 1-2 class periods
Skills: research, reading comprehension, drawing, coloring
Additional Materials: dice, Sharpies, colored markers, crayons, paintbrushes, texture plates (optional), extra art materials (optional)
This project explores Cubism through a dice game that determines the features students will add to their Picasso-style drawings. It’s a fun way to connect art to history and inspire creativity in the classroom.
In addition to these projects, there are several easy art projects for middle schoolers that can enhance your curriculum and align with National Core Art Standards. These projects include self-portraits, agamographs, papier-mâché sculptures, mandala drawings, and more. Encourage students to add digital details to their projects, such as animation, coding, or graphic design, to showcase their creativity.
Art projects for middle schoolers provide a valuable opportunity for students to express themselves creatively and engage with various subjects in a unique way. By incorporating these projects into your curriculum, you can inspire and showcase the artistic talents of your students while providing a fun and engaging learning experience. Explore more middle school art resources on TPT for additional cross-curricular project ideas and lessons to inspire young artists.
