Black History Month Art Project: Jean-Michel Basquiat Portraits & Art Sub Plan

Ready to teach a Black History Month art project in February that’ll keep elementary or middle school kids engaged? This Jean-Michel Basquiat art lesson will boost student confidence and creativity. Kids will appreciate his loose style of painting. Moreover, they’ll connect with his personal story of grit and determination.

And, it’ll help time-starved teachers like you create lesson plans based on modern Black artists like Basquiat.

During this project, your class will discover Jean-Michel Basquiat’s rise to fame in New York City under the name SAMO. Use it to discuss art as social commentary towards the issues people of color have faced in the art industry. Students will design a Basquiat abstract portrait using the step-by-step guide.

Plan lessons for students about art history and art appreciation in a way that excites them. Finally feel confident in your art curriculum and be organized and prepared to teach art!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Can I be honest with you? Art history can sometimes be boring for kids. There, I said it. Teaching about artists and cultures doesn’t have to be a snoozer, though!

I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt this Basquiat art project. All will engage kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:

• Roll a dice game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
• “You Pick” art worksheet for kids to choose their own elements
• Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick elements and you can integrate technology in the art room
• Printable dice template in case you have no dice
• Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
• Drawing practice worksheet, for kids who want to sketch out their ideas
• Jean-Michel Basquiat Artist biography about the life and work of this abstract portrait painter, so you don’t need to research
• “Big Ideas” reflection worksheet where students write about their art process
• Self-assessment worksheet so kids can think about how they performed during the project
• Art grading rubric which assesses expectations, craftsmanship, work habits, creativity, and clean-up
• 8 “I CAN” Statements aligned to the Studio Habits of Mind to use during instruction or post on your bulletin board
• 4 Art exit tickets with quick, thought-provoking prompts
• Art history coloring pages to keep kids inspired by Basquiat’s artwork outside of the art room

YOU WILL RECEIVE

• 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Jean-Michel Basquiat Art Project)
• 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint
• 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
• Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

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This was a fun project for students and introduced to them to the amazing work by Basquiat! The kids even started to recognize his work in pop culture after doing this project!

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This resource was so fun! My students and I read a book about Basquiat and then I led them through this activity and they loved it. Can't wait to use this for years to come.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This project was perfect for my fifth graders in honor of Black History Month. We used the activity spinners and choice board to do physical and digital drawings (using Jamboard) inspired by Basquiat. They were so engaged! Thank you so much for this resource!

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Created by Amie Bentley, © Glitter Meets Glue Designs, LLC