ArtsEd Washington delivers standards-aligned, visual arts curriculum for teachers and schools through Art Lessons in the Classroom.

Art Lessons in the Classroom supports schools and teachers in providing visual arts instruction to students.

Through a series of visual art lessons for kindergarten through grade six, foundational concepts, skills, and processes are presented within a developmentally aligned learning continuum.  While primarily integrated with literacy, Art Lessons in the Classroom also connects to concepts in math, science, and social studies.

Our art lessons are aligned with the Washington state Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Students (EALRs).

Activities promote problem solving and critical thinking through an active and engaging approach to teaching, learning, and assessment.  Students develop knowledge and skills, while creatively investigating a broad range of art materials and artistic processes.  They also explore meaningful connections and concepts shared between visual art and reading, writing, and communication.

This comprehensive and sequential arts curriculum provides an excellent foundation in visual arts concepts. Key elements include:

• Fully aligned with state arts standards while integrating literacy concepts in about 40% of lesson
• Comprised of 70 lessons – 10 per grade level – with additional lesson expansions in each unit
• Parent letters, teacher assessments, CD versions of all lesson plans, grade level handbooks, and an aligned EALR map for each lesson
• Three customized introductory workshops to support classroom implementation
• Support tools such as references to museums and public art, online photo and video demonstrations, and master artworks from WA state museums*
• An online discussion forum providing teachers the opportunity to collaborate on lessons, share student work, make cross-curricular connections, and access teaching resources

Learn more about Art Lessons in the Classroom

Learn about the art lessons in each grade level, view sample lessons, and share our Art Lessons in the Classroom fact sheet. Hear from teachers who use the Art Lessons in the Classroom curriculum, and learn how it’s impacted their students.

*Bring the museum to your classroom, and more!  Learn more about the resources available in our Curriculum Portal.

For more information about Art Lessons in the Classroom, or to inquire about ordering the curriculum for your school, please contact programs@artsedwashington.org.

Please note that because we focus our work on creating systemic change in how the arts are taught, Art Lessons in the Classroom curriculum and materials are only available as a complete school set, and are not sold on an individual basis.