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4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

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I have a free 4-week Shakespeare unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies and my Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kids and Lapbook Renaissance for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

Although there is debate about Shakespeare’s exact date of birth, we do know he was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town in a farming area.

His mother, Mary, was the daughter of a local farmer. His father, John, was a glove-maker and wool trader with a large family house.

4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

And Shakespeare lived during a remarkable period of English history.

The life of William Shakespeare is surrounded in mystery due to the lack of records from that time.

Elizabeth I became the Queen of England in 1558.

During her 45-year reign, London became a cultural center where learning and literature thrived.

Also, I share a few of the ideas we did at our co-op. There are just some activities that are way more to do with a group.

Especially if you have a tough subject to teach, gather families together and use the creative brain of those families in your group.

BOOKS ABOUT SHAKESPEARE

Next, add a few of these books that will get you started on your unit study.

And where possible, I prefer living books over textbooks to teach with.

6 Books About Shakespeare For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add one or two of these books to your unit study or learning day.

A Child's Portrait of Shakespeare (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series)

Who is William Shakespeare?" For more than 20 years, Lois Burdett has asked that question of her elementary school students in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, leading them on a voyage of discovery that brings the Bard to life for boys and girls ages seven and up.

A Child's Portrait of Shakespeare, written in rhyming couplets is suitable for staging as class plays as well as reading aloud.

Tales from Shakespeare (Wordsworth Children's Classics)

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb was written to be an 'introduction to the study of Shakespeare', but are much more entertaining than that. All of Shakespeare's best-loved plays, comic and tragic, are retold in a clear and robust style, and their literary quality has made them popular and sought-after ever since their first publication in 1807.

This edition contains the delightful pen-and-ink drawings of Arthur Rackham.

Favorite Tales from Shakespeare

Retellings of the exciting stories of Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet are augmented by full-color illustrations

Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare

Nobody knows exactly when or why William Shakespeare left his boyhood home of Stratford-on-Avon for the great city of London, but it didn't take long for him to make a name for himself. His plays are now performed almost every day in just about every part of the world; even people who've never seen them use words and phrases he introduced into the English language.

How did a man from an unremarkable family create a legacy that the world, even 400 years after his death, has never forgotten? There will always be unsolved mysteries about Shakespeare, but what we do know of his life, his times, and his theater makes for a very dramatic story.

How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare

Ken Ludwig devised his friendly, easy-to-master methods while teaching his own children. Beginning with memorizing short passages from the plays, his technique then instills children with cultural references they will utilize for years to come. Ludwig’s approach includes understanding of the time period and implications of Shakespeare’s diction as well as the invaluable lessons behind his words and stories. Colorfully incorporating the history of Shakespearean theater and society, How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare guides readers on an informed and adventurous journey through the world in which the Bard wrote.

Romeo and Juliet

Joining Bruce Coville's earlier prose adaptations of Shakespeare's plays is this picture book treatment of the Bard's most popular work ever. The tender story of the young star-crossed lovers from warring families, Romeo and Juliet has moved audiences to tears for four hundred years. And Coville tells it in a way that will surely whet the appetite of young audiences, who will then find even greater enjoyment in the original. As with his earlier adaptations, Coville expertly combines his own dramatic language with key lines from the play. Dennis Nolan, who illustrated Coville's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, contributes stunning paintings, including a gatefold of the famous balcony scene. In addition to A Midsummer Night's Dream, which Publishers Weekly called "A first rate entree to the Bard," Coville also retold The Tempest and Macbeth. Of the latter, School Library Journal said, "Coville's muscular sentences, full of dramatic word choices, make this a good read-aloud." Both Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream were honored as ALA Quick Picks for Young Adults.

Next, look at some of these fun ways to incorporate history and geography into your Shakespeare unit study.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY SHAKESPEARE UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558, until her death on March 24, 1603, marking the Elizabethan era.

She was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

Queen Elizabeth also recognized the importance of the arts to the life and legacy of her nation.

She was fond of the theater, and England’s greatest playwrights.

  • Salt Dough Map of England gets your kids involved hands-on.
  • The Globe Theatre, built in 1599. Make your own globe theater stage
  • Learn about the fashion of the Elizabethan period. Fabrics like velvet, silk and brocade. The wealthy wore extravagant clothing. A ruff is a collar that is large and comes around the neck.How to make a paper maché Elizabethan ruff
  • Make a Tudor Rose and learn what is symbolized. Takes its name and origins from the House of Tudor, which united the House of Lancaster and the House of York. The Tudor rose consists of five white inner petals, representing the House of York, and five red outer petals to represent the House of Lancaster.

NATURE & SCIENCE SHAKESPEARE UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Also, study a list of plants and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays.

For example, learn about roses.

4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

A rose symbolizes love and beauty.

And think about the line “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” from the play Romeo and Juliet.

Here are some more examples and research about what they mean.

  • Hamlet – Holly, Violet, Daisy, Fennel, Willow, Cypress
  • The Winter’s Tale – Marigold, Mint
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Pansy, Cowslip
  • Romeo and Juliet – Rose, Briar, Basil
  • Make a homemade candle

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS SHAKESPEARE UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

Additionally, here are some fun ways to add a bit of math and language arts to your unit study.

Besides the obvious idea of focusing on a couple of Shakespeare’s plays, look at more ideas to flesh out your study.

  • Discuss the shapes of The Globe Theatre to learn about geometry. Build a scale model of it.
  • Learn about the money used during this time. For example, pounds, shillings, and pence.
  • Prepare food of the time and practice math measurements. For example, learn about pottage, bread was popular, meat pies, cheese, beers and ale. Honey was a popular flavoring since sugar was expensive. Look at my post Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids.
  • Apothecary was an occupation during Shakespeare’s time. Look at my post Apothecary Salve.
  • And I know not everyone lives near a renaissance fest but I contacted them to get names of folks they used as actors. We had a volunteer “Bard” come and go over with our kids about Shakespeare.

Also, look at some of my favorite sites. They are text retellings.

4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS SHAKESPEARE UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Finally, look at these fun art and craft ideas during the Shakespeare and Elizabethan period.

4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Last, whether your focus is on poetry, history, comedies or tragedies, look at some of Shakespeare’s works.

4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Also, grab my Renaissance lapbook to go with this unit study.

TRAGEDIES

COMEDIES

  • Antony and Cleopatra
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Macbeth
  • King Lear
  • The Taming of the Shrew
  • Much Ado About Nothing
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • The Merry Wives of Windsor
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream

HISTORIES

POETRY

  • Henry VI
  • Richard II
  • 154 Sonnets
  • Venus and Adonis
4 Week Free Shakespeare Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

We add to our unit study as we learn more about Shakespeare.

What hands-on fun have you done?

4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free 4-week Middle Ages unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

The Medieval or Middle Ages is a period in history that is full of legend and myth.

This Middle Ages unit study is about medieval Europe.

4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

We’ve studied other periods like Medieval Japan which can make for a great comparison with this one. That is an idea for a co-op with maybe a mix of middle and high school kids.

However, for today we’re focusing on the castles, knights, and King Arthur of medieval Europe.

Next, it’s important to understand that a way of life doesn’t just stop and another one begins at an exact date.

So many periods of history, customs, way of life, and events overlap. This period of Medieval we’ll cover is approximately 500 to 1400–1500 ce.

BOOKS ABOUT THE MIDDLE AGES HISTORY FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books.

Using a living book as your spine or main text is a fun way to bring this time to life.

9 Medieval History Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add a few of these books to your Middle Ages or Medieval unit study.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, Roger Lancelyn Green brings the enchanting world of King Arthur stunningly to life. One of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by David Almond, award-winning author of Clay, Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and The Fire-Eaters.

A Castle with Many Rooms: The Story of the Middle Ages

This covers people and events and covers a larger period of time.

Days of Knights and Damsels: An Activity Guide

Kids can re-create a long-ago world of kings, castles, jousts, jesters, damsels, magic fairies, and Robin Hood—all they need are their imaginations, materials they can find at home, and the activities in this book. Dressing up in a coat of armor made from plastic milk jugs, whipping up a batch of curds and whey, writing secret messages in invisible ink, and telling time with a sand glass made from soda bottles are just some of the fun projects. Every activity is illustrated, and sidebars highlight colorful facts about life hundreds of years ago.

The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History

This newly updated book will introduce you to world history, from prehistoric times to the start of the 21st century. Find out about dinosaurs, the first humans, Ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, Medieval Europe, the First World War and many more fascinating subjects.

The Door in the Wall

Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.

The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur

The Knights of the Round Table were in their glory. When an unknown stranger visits the castle and asks Kin Arthur's favor, he is allowed to serve in the kitchen for his meat and bread. Little does anyone suspect that he is of noble blood and will soon be knighted by the famous Sir Lancelot. Lush illustrations bring the reader into the book, as Sir Gareth meets adventures and battles to free a princess from the fearsome Red Knight of the Plain.

Castle: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

In this 1978 Caldecott Honor Book, award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay explores the history and construction of castles in a richly illustrated resource for curious young readers. The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.

The Middle Ages: An Interactive History Adventure

I like to incorporate a wonderful and informational book to support our topic while making it fun and engaging. The Middle Ages, choose your own adventure style book is fantastic for middle elementary.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (First Edition): Illustrated Classics

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was written and illustrated by Howard Pyle and published in 1883. It is the best known version of the story of Robin Hood which had been popular throughout the previous century. Pyle popularized Robin Hood, his adventures, and his band of merry men in a way that influenced most later depictions in writing, drawing, and film. The book consists of a series of episodes pitting the outlaw Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and the rest of his band against corrupt authorities epitomized by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

Also, understand why the Middle Ages are also called Medieval Times.

Merriam-Websters defines Middle Ages like this: With its roots medi-, meaning “middle”, and ev-, meaning “age”, medieval literally means “of the Middle Ages”. In this case, middle means “between the Roman empire and the Renaissance”—that is, after the fall of the great Roman state and before the “rebirth” of culture that we call the Renaissance.

In summary, I explained to my sons it’s the time between Ancient Rome and The Renaissance.

However, if you have older children, the Middle Ages can be broken down further into the Early Middle Ages (c. 400 to 900), the High Middle Ages (c. 900 to the mid-1200s) and the Late Middle Ages (c. mid1200s to 1500).

Each of these time periods have significant events, people and places which emerged. This helps to narrow your study if you want to dive deeper.

Because this is only 4 weeks, I’m teaching a general overview of the Medieval Times.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

The Roman Empire had provided stability for centuries in the region. It had spread its culture, the Latin language, and Christianity across the continent.

But the Roman grew weak and worse it had been invaded.

So, it was a time when kings and feudal lords ruled the land and when castles appeared.

Castles were both a residence for the noble and a defensive structure.

However, the majority of people were poor people or peasants.

They learned a trade and survived off the land living in thatched huts and farming on land they did not own.

The lands were normally owned by a feudal lord.

And it’s important to help your child understand what we mean when we say Middle Ages Europe. All the countries did not have the same name as they do today but we’ll use the modern day names so our kids will understand the geography.

During the early Middle Ages, Europe included the islands of Britain and Ireland.

Also, much of the land that we now call Italy, Germany, and France was included. It also included the Vikings and the Scandinavian countries. The countries are we now called Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

MIDDLE AGES HISTORY VOCABULARY WORDS

Too, look at a list of words to define.

  • noble – A person of high social rank, often owning large amounts of land and having titles like lord or lady.
  • feudal society – a social system in which land is owned by a small ruling class and is worked by peasants in exchange for protection and other services.
  • vassal– A person who receives land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.
  • papacy – the office or the position of the pope
  • fief – A piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service
  • manor – a Iarge estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord
  • knight – a man who received honor and land in exchange for serving a lord as a soldier

NATURE & SCIENCE MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Next, in the Middle Ages people decorated their heads with flowers and leaves. Make a crown of flowers with any long stem flowers. Daisies are a good choice.

Medieval Chemistry had early beginnings although we don’t always think about the medieval period as that time.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

During this period, it was hard for people to separate myth from reality.

But that is why the book King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is fun to read to get a taste of the time.

Also, we don’t have as many primary sources which is why this is called the dark period.

But be sure to pore over what we do have from that time which are the famous stories like “Beowulf” and “The Canterbury Tales”.

  • Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft. My dragon unit study is a fun way to introduce make believe versus reality.
  • Discuss what is meant by BC and AD or BCE and CE. AD means “Anno Domini,” or “in the year of our Lord,” and is used for dates after the birth of Jesus. These refer to ancient times and modern times.

Too, here are some history makers and events during this period.

Research one or two that interests your child.

FAMOUS PEOPLE AND EVENTS

  • knights – men who fought for and protected the lands of their lord, baron, count, or king.
  • barbarians – people that the Romans thought were primitive.
  • King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table – No one knows if they’re real or not.
  • Medieval minstrels – Musicians who traveled from place to place, singing songs and reciting poetry. Look at this beautiful site Luminarium for Lyrics (make sure your sound is on) and look at the English Anthologies too.
  • Henry II of England – In 1154, Henry II was crowned King of England. Under his rule, England prospered. He brought common law to England.
  • court jester – the court’s official entertainer
  • bubonic plague – infectious disease carried by rats and mice that spread to humans.
  • Charlemagne – “Charlemagne” is French for Charles the Great. Charlemagne used the great wealth and strong military organization that he had inherited from his father and brother to build his empire.
  • Crusades – A series of wars fought between Christians and Muslims during the 11th to the 13th centuries in the hopes of taking possession of Jerusalem and other places considered to be holy by the Christians.
4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Also, look at this list of craftsmen and trades during the Middle Ages.

  • Tanner – Made leather from animal hides for clothing and goods
  • Fletcher – Made arrows for archery and hunting.
  • Weaver – Created cloth and textiles using a loom.

Also, look at a few more Middle Ages resources.

MORE MIDDLE AGES RESOURCES

Of course, as I mentioned this is a huge quick overview and just touches the fringe of this expansive time.

There are more colorful characters and events to explore.

What are you studying about and doing hands-on?

Frida Kahlo Art Made Simple: Free Easy Art Printable

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I have a Frida Kahlo easy art printable.

Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacán, Mexico.

Her childhood home, called La Casa Azul (The Blue House), is now a museum. Frida’s paintings are full of vibrant colors.

Frida Kahlo Art Made Simple: Free Easy Art Printable

However, she had a challenging childhood.

For example, she had polio which affected her right foot.

Then at 18 years of age she was involved in a horrific bus accident and had a broken spine.

However, she had a strong and fierce spirit and used her life’s challenges to inspire her art.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT FRIDA KAHLO

Next, look at some fun books.

When possible I prefer living books if I can find them then we add reference books too.

5 Frida Kahlo Books for Kids

Grab some of these books about Frida Kahlo to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Viva Frida

Frida Kahlo, the innovative and passionate Mexican artist, is revered around the world. Her life was filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases. Frida Kahlo, the innovative and passionate Mexican artist, is revered around the world. Her life was filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases.

Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring (Scholastic Gold)

Paloma Marquez is traveling to Mexico City, birthplace of her deceased father, for the very first time. She's hoping that spending time in Mexico will help her unlock memories of the too-brief time they spent together.

While in Mexico, Paloma meets Lizzie and Gael, who present her with an irresistible challenge: The siblings want her to help them find a valuable ring that once belonged to beloved Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Finding the ring means a big reward -- and the thanks of all Mexico. What better way to honor her father than returning a priceless piece of jewelry that once belonged to his favorite artist!

Vincent's Starry Night and Other Stories: A Children's History of Art

Discover artists and their art around the world, in 68 exciting and imaginative tales about artists and the way they created their work. Written by educator and art historian Michael Bird, and beautifully illustrated by Kate Evans, the book also features reproductions of the famous artworks discussed, a comprehensive timeline of events, and extra feature spreads on places connected with art.This is a beautiful and engaging introduction to art for any home or school library.

Frida Kahlo (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Meet Artist Frida Kahlo!

Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned artists, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual information for readers.

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos

The fascinating Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is remembered for her self-portraits, her dramatic works featuring bold and vibrant colors. Her work brought attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and she is also renowned for her works celebrating the female form. Monica Brown’s story recounts pivotal moments in Frida’s life and the beloved pets who comforted her along the way—two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn—and playfully considers how Frida embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal. John Parra’s bold-colored art, reminiscent of Frida’s palette, make this biography a warm and wonder-filled offering for Frida Kahlo fans old and new.

Next, look at a few of her famous art pieces.

FAMOUS ART BY FRIDA KAHLO

She often painted self-portraits, which are pictures of herself.

  • The Two Fridas
  • Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
  • Self-Portrait with Monkey
  • The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xolotl

Additionally, look at a some crafts inspired by her art.

CRAFTS INSPIRED BY FRIDA KAHLO

Then look at my post Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Frida Kahlo Floral Headband.

Frida Kahlo Art Made Simple: Free Easy Art Printable

Then look at more cut and paste art crafts.

I have How To Make Sunflower Craft Like Van Gogh For Young Crafters, Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands and Arts And Crafts For Kids Inspired By Georgia O’Keeffe | Free Printable.

HOW TO GET THE FREE FRIDA KAHLO CUT & PASTE PRINTABLE

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Arts And Crafts For Kids Inspired By Georgia O’Keeffe | Free Printable

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I have some fun arts and crafts for kids inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe and a free cut and paste craft.

Georgia O’Keeffe was an American painter.

Georgia O’Keeffe was born on November 15, 1887, in a small town called Sun Prairie in Wisconsin.

Arts And Crafts For Kids Inspired By Georgia O'Keeffe | Free Printable

She was famous for her flower paintings and nature themed works.

And for her large-scale images of flowers.

For example, on one of her paintings she said, “I have painted what each flower is to me and I have painted it big enough so that others would see what I see.”

Also, her paintings included shells, leaves, bones and landscapes of New Mexico.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

First, look at these fun books.

When possible I prefer living books then add reference books.

5 Georgia O'Keeffe Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Georgia O’Keeffe.

Georgia O'Keeffe (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Meet Artist Georgia O'Keeffe!

Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned artists, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual information for readers (Ages 8-9).Clever illustrations and story lines, together with full-color reproductions of actual paintings, give children a light
yet realistic overview of Georgia O'Keefe's life and style.

The Met Georgia O'Keeffe: She saw the world in a flower

Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this charming illustrated series of books to keep and collect, created in full collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw, and be inspired to create your own artworks, too. In What the Artist Saw: Georgia O'Keeffe, meet famous American painter Georgia O'Keeffe. Step into her life and learn what led her to look closely at nature and paint her iconic paintings of flowers and bones. See the vast New Mexico landscapes that inspired her work. Have a go at producing your own close-up still-life artworks! Follow the artists' stories and find intriguing facts about their environments and key masterpieces. Then see what you can see and make your own art. Take a closer look at landscapes, or even yourself, with Vincent van Gogh. Try crafting a story in fabric like Faith Ringgold, or carve a woodblock print at home with Hokusai. Every book in this series is one to treasure and keep - perfect for budding young artists to explore exhibitions with, then continue their own artistic journeys. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Georgia's Bones (Incredible Lives for Young Readers)

Growing up on a Wisconsin farm, Georgia O'Keeffe began gathering all sorts of objects ― sticks and stones, flowers and bones. Although she was teased for her interest in unique shapes and sizes, young Georgia declared: “Someday, I’m going to be an artist” ― and that is exactly what she became. Jen Bryant’s story of Georgia O’Keeffe celebrates the famous artist’s fascination with natural shapes, “common objects,” and her unusual way of looking at the world. Bethanne Andersen’s fluid, graceful illustrations capture the beauty of O’Keeffe’s work and spirit.

Through Georgia's Eyes

Georgia O'Keeffe saw the world differently from most people. As a child she roamed the prairie with a sketch pad in her hand, struggling to capture on paper what she saw all around her. At art school she learned to speak in paint on canvas. But Georgia felt confined by city life. She longed for vast expanses of space, and she found it in the red hills and silent deserts of New Mexico. Lyrical and vivid, this is a portrait of an exceptional artist, a woman whose eyes were open to the wideness and wonder of the world.

Georgia O'Keeffe: The Artist in the Desert

Now available in a new paperback edition, this book for young readers offers an illustrated introduction to the life and art of Georgia O’Keeffe. Georgia O’Keeffe’s bold and colorful depictions of flowers, New York skylines, and desert landscapes are easily recognizable to most adults and endlessly intriguing to young readers. This introduction to the life and work of the world renowned painter is filled with details of her unique life: her choice to live alone in the desert, her fascination with the treasures she found there, and her dedication to her work. O’Keeffe’s signature paintings are intertwined with photographs of the artist at work creating a seamless narrative that links the painter’s captivating personal history to her iconic art.

Next, look at some arts and crafts for kids inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR KIDS INSPIRED BY GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

Then look at more cut and paste art crafts.

I have How To Make Sunflower Craft Like Van Gogh For Young Crafters and Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands.

In addition, here are more facts about Georgia O’Keeffe.

FACTS ABOUT GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

  • She studied art in college and became a teacher.
  • Her unique style was focused on flowers, landscapes, and the beauty of nature.
  • And she believed that flowers were powerful and beautiful; she wanted everyone to see them in a new way.
  • In the 1920s, Georgia moved to New Mexico.
  • The desert was very different from her home in Wisconsin. But she fell in love with the desert.
  • And the colors of the desert— like rich reds, deep blues, and bright yellows—found their way into her art.
  • She loved the bones of animals and often used them in her art.
  • She passed away at the age of 98.
Arts And Crafts For Kids Inspired By Georgia O'Keeffe | Free Printable

Use my free cut and paste craft for your child to create their own Georgia O’Keeffe inspired craft.

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE INSPIRED CUT AND PASTE CRAFT

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some fun art craft ideas to make and an easy cut and paste craft to get your littlest Picasso inspired.

Picasso showed talent for art at a very early age.

Until he was 91 years old, he created over 20,000 pieces of art.

Young and old have been delighted by his eye for detail, awareness of shape, and using unconventional materials.

Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands

Pablo Picasso was born in Spain on October 25, 1881.

He has become one of the most famous artists of the 20th century.

Also, Picasso went through many styles of painting.

However, by the end he helped develop many new styles of art, including collage and cubism.

Too, look at some books about Picasso.

BOOKS ABOUT PICASSO FOR KIDS

5 BOOKS ABOUT PABLO PICASSO FOR KIDS WHO LOVE TO READ AND BE READ TO

Add one or two of these fun books about the famous artist Pablo Picasso.

Pablo Picasso: Breaking All the Rules: Breaking All the Rules

Simon Packard didn't always want to do his artist report on Pablo Picasso, but after his twin brother Stephen does a report on Monet-Simon's favorite artist-Simon chooses Picasso by default! Throughout, there are reproductions of Pablo Picasso's masterpieces as well as Simon's own drawings, and wonderful nuggets of info that will appeal to kids.

Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail: An Art History Book For Kids

  • gorgeous illustrations and reproductions of works by the artists
  • a fun and educational story
  • a perfect choice for homeschool supplies

Just Behave, Pablo Picasso!

Pablo Picasso may have been one of the most famous artists of the 20th century, but that doesn't mean he painted what people wanted him to paint! In fact, some people hated his paintings, and called them "ugly!" and "terrible!" -- something many kids can relate to. But Picasso didn't listen to all those people, and kept on working the way he wanted to work, until he created something so new, so different... that people didn't know what to say!

Pablo Picasso

Examples of Picasso's paintings are reproduced in color and explained in easy-to-read text

Who Was Pablo Picasso?

Over a long, turbulent life, Picasso continually discovered new ways of seeing the world and translating it into art. A restless genius he went through a blue period, a rose period, and a Cubist phase. He made collages, sculptures out of everyday objects, and beautiful ceramic plates. True Kelley's engaging biography is a wonderful introduction to modern art.

Next, look at some facts about his life and work.

FACTS ABOUT PICASSO THE ARTIST AND HIS WORKS AND LIFE

  • His actual name is 25 words long. It’s Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Crispín Crispiniano María de los Remedios de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz Picasso.
  • His father was an art teacher, so he learned some from him.
  • Picasso is best known for inventing a style called Cubism. Instead of painting things the way they looked, he broke them down into shapes and rearranged them.
  • He also sculpted with unconventional materials.
  • The Blue Period is one phase of art for Picasso. In this time, when he used mostly blue and blue-green. He painted sad things and lonely places. It was a time when he was feeling down in his life.
  • The Rose Period is a time when he started using more orange and pinks. He painted performers and happy faces.
  • In addition, he experimented with ceramics, collage and printmaking as art.
  • He painted his last self portrait at 90 years of age.
  • One of his famous sayings is “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” What do you think he meant by this? How do we learn?
  • Some of his famous paintings you can look at are The Old Guitarist, Family of Saltimbanques and. Still Life with Chair Caning. (Note: I did not add famous paintings which had nudity or war overtones as I feel that should be talked about at an older age.)

In addition, look at more Picasso crafts.

PICASSO CRAFT IDEAS TO MAKE

Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands

In addition, look at this post How To Make Sunflower Craft Like Van Gogh For Young Crafters for another art cut and paste activity.

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE PICASSO INSPIRED CUT AND PASTE CRAFT

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