Create a Funky Fish: An Easy Elementary Art Sub Plan with Fun Patterns!
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Welcome to my elementary art sub plan article series, where I will be discussing a different lesson every week for the next several weeks. These will be some of my favorites that have been my go-to’s over the years. I will start with a focus on sub plans suitable for mid to upper grade levels, followed by lower grade levels.
It’s important to note that I try to leave lessons that the substitute can use for a handful of grade levels. This makes things easier for the sub and cuts down on prep. I don’t often leave plans involving my current projects. This is less pressure on the sub and allows for me to track whether or not the students complete their art to the best of their ability. When I leave my art sub plans, the students are able to take their work on the very same day.
First off is one of my favorite elementary art sub plans: Funky patterned fish. This drawing lesson is inspired by the fish themed art of J Vincent Scarpace.
The artist J Vincent Scarpace is best known for his whimsical, abstract fish. Within his work, he prefers to focus on the basic elements of art: color, line and shape. Learn more about the artist and view his work on his website. I would recommend leaving your sub images of Scarpace’s fish to show the students either via handout or slideshow.
Funky Fish Art Sub Plan Steps:
- Draw outline of large/round fish with top fin, bottom fine, large eye and tail.
- Outline with sharpie or felt-tipped marker (my favorite felt tipped markers)
- Add patterns with more sharpie and color in main sections with markers.
- OR leave background white and add various textures and design with felt tipped markers (amazon link) See color approach examples below.
*Despite the chosen approach, I leave a handout with texture and design ideas. Also found within my handouts are descriptions and images of the steps. My goal is to always make it so the sub can read the directions for the kids and they can follow along. The students also always have examples and ideas to reference. Unless you have pre-arranged your sub, chances are you won’t have a substitute teacher with an art background. I strive to leave art sub plans where my sub’s art abilities won’t matter. I have often heard from my substitute teachers that my plans are fun even for them. That’s always a big win in my book.
* If you are still in back to school mode, you may enjoy my article: First Week of Art Class-8 Quick Projects to Spark Creativity.
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