Elementary Art Lesson: ATC Artist Trading Cards Mixed Media Miniature Project

Teaching artist trading cards (ATCs) ranks as my most engaging and interactive elementary art lesson. These miniature art projects, made with mixed media, collage, paint, etc., allow for self-directed fun. Each child learns new art techniques at their own pace, using step-by-step PowerPoint guides. At the end, they exchange artist trading cards with classmates!

In addition, elementary art kids can work on their cards all year long as a fast finisher activity or on shortened school days. The battlecry of, “I’m done. What do I do now?” will be permanently banished from your art room.

ARTIST TRADING CARDS IN THE CLASSROOM

Ready to give artist trading cards a try, but don’t know how to prep and manage it? I’ve created this comprehensive artist trading card lesson plan packed with information on how I run ATCs in my elementary art room all year long.

I’ll explain gathering art materials, setting up for an “Artist Trading Card Day,” detailing my role on these days, and managing the cleanup. Furthermore, I’ll dive into running a swap, encouraging kids to reflect on their art process, and finally, assessing their work.

By the end of it, you’ll have a clear picture of how I teach my artist trading cards lesson.

But what if you’re not a trained art teacher and don’t know a lot of art techniques? No worries, I’ve got you covered.

There are 36 different techniques and project ideas included in the slide decks. Each features step-by-step pictures that demonstrate how to execute the technique or project. You students will be creating mini drawings, paintings, collages, mixed media works, and even miniature weavings!

YOU WILL RECEIVE

• ATC Lesson Introduction, Overview, and ATC Swap Information 
• 4-Page Detailed Lesson Plan including big ideas, essential questions, goals, objectives, National Core Art Standards, suggested materials list, art vocabulary, and a 4-day lesson outline
• 2 PowerPoint Slide Decks, leveled for lower and upper elementary using age-appropriate terminology 
• Artist Trading Cards Template that includes artist, title, and date fields for students to fill out and affix to the back of their cards
• Self-Assessment Worksheet, where the child can quickly circle an emoji to indicate how they performed on the outlined criteria
• Student-Friendly ATC Grading Rubric that assesses the project requirements, craftsmanship, work habits, creativity, and art project clean-up
• ATC Sleeve Template so kids can store their cards safely

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• 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF
• 2 Partially Editable PowerPoint Slide Decks

WHAT'S EDITABLE AND WHAT'S NOT EDITABLE

There are two partially-editable PowerPoint docs. On every slide, the title text (i.e. “Big Ideas,” “Essential Questions,” “What are artist trading cards?”) are not editable. None of the text on the 36 art techniques slides are editable. However, the body text on lesson introduction slides are editable. This means you can change the answers to the questions. Or, make up your own big ideas and essential questions.

NATIONAL CORE ART STANDARDS

This ATC lesson touches upon the Creating and Responding components of NCAS for 1st through 5th grade:

• VA:Cr2.1.1a 
• VA:Cr2.2.1a 
• VA:Cr9.1.1a 
• VA:Cr2.1.2a
• VA:Cr2.2.2a
• VA:Cr9.1.2a
• VA:Cr2.1.3a
• VA:Cr2.2.3a
• VA:Cr9.1.3a
• VA:Cr2.1.4a 
• VA:Cr2.2.4a
• VA:Cr9.1.4a
• VA:Cr2.1.5a
• VA:Cr2.2.5a 

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