Art Videos – Grades K-1

School Year 2020.2021

Methow Arts has put together easy to use art videos made by our local and regional teaching artists. These videos are targeted at students in grades K-6 who are in remote learning situations. All videos have a suggested target grade, but depending on the child and the amount of parental support available, any given lesson is adaptable for younger or older grades. Click around, see what your child is drawn to, and then give those lessons a try! Let us know what you think.


Find more art activities, lessons and inspirations from us at Methow Arts by CLICKING HERE.

We’d love see your artwork! Please send us scans at info@methowartsalliance.org. Thank you.


PUBLIC ART TOURS (all ages/family)

CLICK HERE for our Public Art Tours (all ages/family)

Our public art tours feature artists in our partner communities (Brewster, Pateros, Omak, Okanogan, Methow Valley, Leavenworth) talking about familiar art pieces in public places.


FOUNDATIONS (all ages)

CLICK HERE for our Foundations Lessons (all ages)

Creating and understanding art relies on a familiarity with the “Elements & Principles of Art,” such as line, pattern, color, shape, and form. Our Foundations Lessons guide you through creating a piece of art while focusing on specific elements and principles of art.


PERFORMING ARTS (all ages)

CLICK HERE for our Performing Arts lessons (all ages)

The performing arts include dance, music and theater. Many performing artists use their bodies, voices and talents as a means of artistic expression. They include singers, actors, comedians and dancers.


LITERARY ARTS (all ages)

CLICK HERE for our Literary Arts Lessons (all ages)

Methow Arts teaching artists have created videos to help students build a foundation in the literary arts.


Grades K-1: MAKE ART

Intro to Breakdance Part 9: the Kickout (all ages/family)

Keep adding to your footwork by learning the kickout, a move that pairs with the CC (from Intro to Breakdance Part 8). Twisp B Boy gives you some fun moves to work on in this final lesson in the Intro to Breakdance series.

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Veggie People (grades K-6)

Guided by the work of 16th century Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo, artist Christa Culbert leads you through creating a portrait of a person comprised of fruits and vegetables. A fun lesson at this time of year, with gardens and orchards beginning to produce!

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We’d like to thank artist Margaret Kingston for the inspiration for this video. She originally created the concept for this lesson, and continues to teach it in Okanogan area schools.

Materials: paper, pencil/eraser, coloring materials such as colored pencils/crayons/watercolors/oil pastels, optional–black marker


Memorial Day Remembrance Wreaths (all ages/family)

Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in the US Military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Artist Bethany Wray will show you how to make a poppy wreath in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the United States.

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Early observances of Memorial Day took place during the Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865 and claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history. The Civil War death count required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.

By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

Materials: 8+ coffee filters of any size, paper plate, water, hole punch, watercolor paint set, scissors, yard, tape, waxed paper or plastic sheet or cookie tray–something to protect your desk or table from paint

Our Veteran’s Day Poppies video is another option for using art to remember and honor those in the US Military. That instructional video can be found here.


Viewfinders (grades K-2)

Artists use all kinds of tools to help them create. Viewfinder help to frame a landscape before you begin to draw. Join teaching artist Christa Culbert in making these simple viewfinders, and learn how to use them to up your landscape game!

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Materials:scissors, light cardboard (like cereal box), pencil, paper or sketchbook


Nature Mandalas (all ages/family)

Time to dive into outdoor art! Inspired by nature artist Andy Goldsworthy, teaching artist Amber Zimmerman leads this lesson in creating nature mandalas from found objects. Mandalas, Sanskrit for “circles,” have been used in Hindu and Buddhist meditation and spiritual practices for centuries, and have been adopted into many other traditions.

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Materials: outdoor space, natural materials found on the ground (pine cones and needles, leaves, sticks, stones, shells, feathers, etc)


Intro to Breakdance Part VIII: the CC
(all ages/Performing Arts)

Continue to work on your footwork with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.

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This is part of a series. If you haven’t begun the Intro to Breakdancing series yet, start HERE and scroll down to the breakdancing lessons.

Materials: space around you, music, comfortable clothing


Symmetrical Butterflies (grades K-3)

Few things say “spring” as well as butterflies. Learn about symmetry by drawing butterflies that are the same on each side–just like butterflies in nature–with artist Bethany Wray.

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Materials: paper cut in a square, spoon, oil pastels or crayons, pencil, eraser


Intro to Breakdance Part VII: the 6-Step (all ages/Performing Arts)

Continue to work on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.

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This is part of a series. If you haven’t begun the Intro to Breakdancing series yet, start HERE and scroll down to the breakdancing lessons.

Materials: space around you, music, comfortable clothing


Wildflower Sketch (grades K-2)

Artist Amber Zimmerman takes you out into the forest in spring and walks you through sketching a trillium wildflower.

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Materials: paper or nature journal, pencil, eraser


Puncturevine (grades K-2)

Plants like puncturevine are not “bad” plants, but don’t belong in Okanogan County. They are called invasive species, and can take over the habitat of native plants. In this video, learn to identify and paint puncturevine or “goat’s head” with teaching artist Christa Culbert. Once you know what it looks like, you can help our environment pull it out of the ground when you find it!

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Materials: paper, coloring materials (crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc.)


Intro to Breakdancing, TopRock Part 6 (all ages/Performing Arts)

Continue to work on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.

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This is part of a series. If you haven’t begun the Intro to Breakdancing series yet, start HERE and scroll down to the breakdancing lessons.

Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing


The Frank Matsura Murals of Okanogan (all ages/public art tours)

Artist Dan Brown takes you on a tour of the public murals of Japanese photographer Frank Matsura. If you live in Okanogan you’re lucky enough to see these murals in person by walking around town. Otherwise, you can experience them through this video.

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Golden Fish (grades K-6)

Artist Amber Zimmerman uses artist Paul Klee’s 1925 painting “The Goldfish” as inspiration for a lesson in drawing and painting a rainbow trout.

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Materials: watercolor set, water, paper, crayons (optional)


Intro to Breakdancing, TopRock Part 5 (all ages/Performing Arts)

Continue to work on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this foundational series.

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This is part of a series. If you haven’t begun the Intro to Breakdancing series yet, start HERE and scroll down to the breakdancing lessons.

Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing


Hot Air Balloons (all ages) 

Inspired by the Winthrop Balloon Roundup, teaching artist Amber Zimmerman teaches you how to create colorful hot air balloons, applying the concepts of symmetry, sketching, and pattern.

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Materials: paper, pencil, coloring materials


Spring Butterflies (grades K-2)

Celebrate spring by painting colorful butterflies with teaching artist Bethany Wray.          YouTube link

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Materials: watercolor paper, watercolor set, water, sharpie or black marker, pencil, eraser, blue crayon or oil pastel


Intro to Breakdancing, TopRock Part 4 (all ages/Performing Arts)

Keep working on your toprock with Bboy Hero, Miguel Renteria, as he introduces another step in this intro to breaking dance series.

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This is part of a series. If you haven’t begun the Intro to Breakdancing series yet, start HERE and scroll down to the breakdancing lessons.

Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing


Dance On! Intermediate/Advanced Choreography (all ages/Performing Arts)

Ready to try some harder choreography? Dancer and teaching artist Lyndsay Frady takes it up a notch in this dance that works with any song with an 8 count. This lesson is accessible to all ages, but is designed for those with a basic background in dance/movement. You can find less advanced dance lessons
HERE.

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Materials: space around you, comfortable clothing


Tumble Mustard (grades K-2)

Plants like tumble mustard are not “bad” plants, but they don’t belong in Okanogan and Chelan counties, and they can take over the habitat of native plants. Plants like tumble mustard are called invasive species. In this video, learn to identify and paint tumble mustard with teaching artist Christa Culbert. Once you know what it looks like, you can help pull it out of the ground when you find it!

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Learn more about tumble mustard and other invasive species HERE:

Materials: paper, watercolor set, water, paper towel (optional)


Let’s Dance! Part III (all ages/Performing Arts)

Teaching artist, dancer, and Merc Playhouse Executive Director Missi Smith introduces you to some dance steps that can be used with a wide range of music: musical theatre, jazz, hip hop…whatever you like to listen and move to, as long as it has an 8-count beat.

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If you find this video too complicated, we encourage you to begin with Let’s Dance Part 1 HERE.

Materials: space around you, bare feet, sneakers, or jazz shoes, waterbottle (optional)


Bird Fest Poster Art (all ages)

Leavenworth’s annual Bird Fest celebrates the return of migratory birds in the midst of peak wildflower season. Participants enjoy the excitement of birding field trips and workshops, and take part in speaker events, music, visual arts, picnics, and activities for all ages and abilities. Students in grades K-8 are invited to submit bird art made with watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, markers, crayons, collage, or any other 2-dimensional materials. Deadline Wed. Mar. 31, 2020.

CLICK HERE for bird art instruction videos and contest details


Newsprint Birds (all ages)

Artist Amber Zimmerman uses a fun “canvas” as she walks you through painting a robin and a Mountain Bluebird on newsprint. Other fun canvases are old book pages or old sheet music, but make sure to ask an adult if it’s ok to use something before you rip it out of a book or start painting on it! (Shiny magazine pages won’t work–they don’t absorb paint.)

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Materials: newsprint, watercolor set, black marker or crayon, water cup (optional–glue and construction paper)


P. Zonka Chicken  (all ages)

Artist Christa Culbert uses Julie Paschkis’s book “P. Zonka Lays an Egg” as inspiration for this chicken-friendly art activity that uses a traditional Ukrainian folk art style. (Although chickens are technically birds, we suspect a chicken painting won’t win the Bird Fest contest. Use this lesson just for fun!)

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Materials: paper, pencil, black marker or crayon, watercolor set, water cup, paper towel (optional)


Seed to Sprout (grades K-3)  

Teaching artist Jim Anderson uses pumpkin seeds as models for drawing the cycle of a plant from seed to sprout. This lesson complements school garden (or home garden) learning.

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Materials: paper, pencil, eraser, seeds (optional), colored pencils (optional)


Intro to Breakdance III: Back Step (all ages/Performing Arts)

Teaching artist and breakdancer Miguel Renteria teaches you the back step–a fundamental component of breakdancing. (If you haven’t completed Parts I or II yet, click HERE).

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You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to


Upcycled Flowers (all ages/family)

Teaching artist Amber Zimmerman guides you in transforming recyclables into fun, unique flowers. A fun family activity to welcome spring!

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Materials: aluminum foil, yarn or string, cardboard, markers, scissors, tape.


Everyday Objects (K-1st grade)

Artist Christa Culbert knows that art can be silly and fun. Join her to make some everyday items around your house into artsy friends. You’ll get really good at drawing eyes in this lesson!

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Materials: household objects that are ok to put tape on (kitchen utensils, dish towels, shoes, etc.), scissors, paper, black pen or crayon/pencil, tape, rubber bands or twist ties (optional)


Intro to Breakdance II: Side Step (all ages/Performing Arts)

Teaching artist and breakdancer Miguel Renteria teaches you the side step–a fundamental component of breakdancing. (If you haven’t completed Part I yet, click HERE).

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You’ll need: open space and music you’d like to dance to


Texture Relief (all ages/Fundamentals)

Artist Bethany Wray uses household materials to help you understand the concept of texture.

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Materials: aluminum foil, yarn or string, cardboard, markers, scissors, tape.


Inspirational Women (K-3rd grade)

Artist Christa Culbert uses author Juliet Mendendez’s book “Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers” as inspiration for a painting that celebrates an inspiring woman in your own life. The book celebrates 40 women from the US and Latin America who have been influential in science, art, athletics, politics, and other venues.

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Materials: paper, watercolor set (or crayons or colored pencils, water cup, napkin/paper towel, pencil & eraser


The Snowy Day (K-2nd grade)—visual art and writing lesson

Artist Amber Zimmerman uses Ezra Jack Keats’ award-winning children’s book “The Snowy Day” as inspiration for a resist painting. The video includes a read-aloud of “The Snowy Day.”

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Materials: paper, watercolors, water cup, crayons


Circle Story: a writing lesson to accompany The Snowy Day visual art lesson above (K-2nd grade)

Teaching artist Anne Andersen uses Ezra Jack Keat’s award-winning “The Snowy Day” book as a mentor text for a writing lesson for young writers.

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The video includes a read-aloud of “The Snowy Day.” If you just watched the read-aloud when you did the painting lesson above, you can skip the video ahead to minute 5:23.

Materials: paper/journal and pencil/pen


Color as Time of Day (all ages/Fundamentals)

Artist Christa Culbert explores two different pieces of artwork that show you how color can be used to express time of day, and then guides you through creating a comic strip that conveys a sense of time.

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You’ll focus on Chinami Nakajima’s “Weeping Cherry at Kozenji Temple” and “Miharu Takizakura Spring Night.”

Materials: paper, pencil, watercolor set, water cup, paper towel (optional)


Understanding Emotion through Art (K-1st grade)

Art can help us process emotions, even when they are complicated. Artist Christa Culbert helps us understand how art can be used to make sense of our emotions.

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Materials: paper, something to color with (crayons/colored pencils/markers/watercolors)


Animal Tracks (K-1st grade)

Artist Bruce Morrison shows you how to make fingerprint animal tracks using familiar animal prints from Central Washington.

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Materials: watercolors, water, brush, paper towel


Intro to Breakdance: Top Rock part 1 (all ages/performing arts)

Teaching artist and breakdancer “Bboy Hero” Miguel Renteria breaks down breakdance for you with a very basic step. You’ll learn the crossover, which is a foundation of breakdance. Miguel has been dancing since he was 12, he has competed in breakdance battles, and has taught breakdance at schools and Boys & Girls Clubs.

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Arts Partners: