Chinese Vase Art Game
Ready to liven up your middle school art curriculum with an engaging, no prep Chinese vase art project? This Ming Dynasty vase lesson will boost student confidence and creativity. Kids will be intrigued by production of the cobalt blue porcelain ceramics. Moreover, they’ll enjoying playing a roll a dice game to make a vase of their own!
And, it’ll help time-starved teachers like you create art lesson plans based on ancient China.
During this art project, your class will learn about pottery, earthenware, stoneware, underglazes, and the ancient city of Jingdezhen. Use it to discuss the coil method versus the potter’s wheel. Students will draw a Chinese Ming vase with monochromatic colors using the step-by-step guide and PowerPoint.
Plan lessons for students about Chinese 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 in My Chinese New Year Project
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 Ming vase 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” idea 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
- 6 Printable Vase Templates, with descriptions on what each vase shape was used for, to make setting up the drawing easier
- Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
- Drawing practice worksheet, for kids who want to sketch out their ideas
- Ming Dynasty Pottery handout about the rise of Chinese pottery beginning in the Neolithic Age until modern day
- “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 ancient Chinese art history outside of the art room
Ways to Use This Chinese Vase Art Lesson
This art history project is flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your art room and beyond. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, and even for virtual art class or an after-school art club.
You Will Receive
- 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Chinese Vase Drawing 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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My class absolutely enjoyed learning about the history of Ming Vases from China. They were very excited to use the dice as some have trouble deciding on which animal and patterns to make. This ensured that everybody could get to the task on time and helped with classroom planning and management. The vases turned out great.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My fourth and fifth-grade kids are studying art history. As a catch-up day activity, I gave students the option of creating artwork with these roll-an-art worksheets. The Chinese vases the kids made using this worksheet came out beautifully! Thank you for the great resource!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my favorite art assignments for kids. It allows them to be creative while still using and applying knowledge that they have learned about the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
Underwater Montessori (Teacher-Author) –
Used to support a hands on activity. Beautiful resource
Ms. Martinzez Teaches (Teacher-Author) –
This was a fantastic art resource used within a thematic unit lesson combining language arts, history, art, and more. The vase project was completed toward the end of the unit and was a great way to wrap it up! Such a successful project!
Laura H. –
This was a very enjoyable and engaging art lesson, and made a beautiful display.
Kristen G. –
This was a delightful activity for my students. After designing their vases, we “filled” them with cherry blossoms. Some of the designs provided were too daunting for second graders, but they used them for inspiration.
First Grade is Sweet (Teacher-Author) –
Great resource for helping my third graders to design beautiful vases in the Ming Dynasty style.
Andrea D. –
This was a fun resource to add in a bit of creativity and gamification as we learned about ancient China.
Special Ed1 (Teacher-Author) –
This was a fun activity and the end result was fabulous. Thank you!
Antoinette H. –
My students used this resource to help them plan their Chinese Vase project. I was able to walk them through, step by step, with selecting symbols and line elements to design their own vase. This was so helpful!
Ashley M. –
I used this in 7th and 8th grade social studies class for an end-of-chapter project after learning about ancient China. Students loved rolling and creating their own vases!
Leonie D. –
It was challenging for my year 4/3rd grade kids when it came to drawing the figures for the vases but we persevered – myself and my TA both did one – and they were very proud of their work when it was finished. We backed the vases onto coloured card and added branches with tissue paper cherry blossoms.
Kendria B. –
I loved preparing and using this resource for our grade-level theme day and leading students in our grade through what they found to be a fun, engaging, yet challenging activity reinforcing what they were studying.
Katie G. –
My class enjoyed learning about the different types of vases and then creating their own versions
Megan Davis –
This was a great activity. My students really enjoyed doing these.
The Slate Board (Teacher-Author) –
My students found this to be a very engaging way to create a vase. It has enough visual support paired with the element of random choice to make this a fun independent activity.
Kristy C. –
For distance learning I adapted it and my students really enjoyed the project.
Gloria M. –
Thank you for such a wonderful resource! The kids enjoyed it
Brandi J. –
Instructions were clear and photos were helpful. My students very much enjoyed this project. We taped the vases to our art classroom windows and everyone loved looking at them!
irene C. –
love it
Carrie M. –
Loved this resource. My students found it really engaging, even my students who “hate art”.
Sheila H. –
Students really enjoyed this activity.
The Turquoise Classroom (Teacher-Author) –
My students loved it!
Marcy Sellers –
Amazing resource for the classroom!
Jessica F. –
Great resource. Thank you!
Cyndi Hua –
I try to add art into all the units I teach. The students enjoyed creating their own artifact and using their artistic skills.
Ms Ts Simple Learning (Teacher-Author) –
Very helpful. Thank you.
Magge Gamble –
Super fun and very informative
Shannon O. –
My students enjoyed working on this project. It also worked out great for the end of the year with a few days do complete.
MrsMcCullough –
Saved me for last minute sub plans.
OWL Adventures (Teacher-Author) –
I always try to do an art activity with each of the civilizations we study. My students loved doing this activity & every single vase was beautiful. Thank you for creating!
Emily D. –
Great!
Art with SCP (Teacher-Author) –
My students really enjoyed this resource and they learned a lot. They enjoyed being able to mix and match and create a unique vase!
Laura B. –
Kids loved it! Great project.
Elena T. –
This was a great way to introduce Chinese vases to students. All students were able to be successful in their drawings.
Betty Jo R. –
I loved it was able to teach more information to my students about the project. My students understood more about the vase project. My students did a better job by using the handouts to build the designs they wanted on their Artwork and practicing with on the handouts. Their vase project turned out great!.
Rachel F. –
We’re reading Chinese Cinderella with my students, and this gorgeous activity was perfect for them to do while they listened to the story. Students especially loved the simplicity of only using blue to color with to make it accurate.
Madison Wood –
Perfect for my SDC classes! Thank you! They look amazing on my walls!
Abbey B. –
Great resource.
Ms Gill Minto –
Great for Chinese New Year and our study of Chinese history.
Samantha Arnold –
Used as supplement to Chinese dynasties cultural unit. I love incorporating art into instruction and my kids were very engaged.
Elizabeth A –
Students in various grades loved this activity! Thank you so much. Highly recommend!
Ashley Goetz –
My students loved this as an enrichment activity to the novel “A Single Shard.” Thank you!
Hoosier Historian (Teacher-Author) –
thanks
Ashley B. –
We started our China unit in 7th grade and we did these for open house. They loved it! I gave the finished product to our 7th grade homeroom teacher and she put them up on her window for open house. They looked great!
Kyle M. –
This was a wonderful art project! My daughter enjoyed learning more about the Ming dynasty and her vase was beautiful and fun to create. Please continue to share similar art/history projects. Thank you!
Aslan F. –
I used the “pick-your-own” page as a hand out and guidelines for my 4th graders! The vase outlines were great to have and we are merging this lesson with the chinese vase lesson from Deep Space Sparkle. So far, they are turning out well and I am excited for their final pieces! A great resource, thank you
Juliet Perkins – Classroom Jules (Teacher-Author) –
Thank you! Great sub plan!
Beg – Borrow – Steal (Teacher-Author) –
Loved this!
Sara F. –
This was a great lesson to use when I was on a short medical leave. Easy for sub and students to understand and feel successful.
SarahAnne N. –
This was perfect for distance learning. I do an art project with students for each ancient civilization that we study…and when distance learning occurred, I wanted to try to keep that us. This allowed that to happen! Students were able to create the art project at home – and had a great time doing it!
Mellissa Winzenrith –
Awesome visual guide!
Amy L. –
The class enjoyed this lesson, particularly the dice-roll activity. It was very useful to have to hand when teaching a unit about China.
emma A. –
This was my favorite art assignments for students. It allows them to be creative while still using and applying knowledge that they have learned about the Chinese ming dynasty
Krystalle Dickson –
Thank you!
Jamie L. –
So fun! This is the second “roll a die” art project that I have purchased and my class has so much fun with these.
Nicole Piland –
I used the drawing ideas sheet with my 2nd and 3rd graders. They loved having some direction and inspiration for their vases.
Megan Swartz –
This was a great resource that I will use for years to come!
Jasalee W. –
I used this as a station activity for my students. They loved it! I will use it next time as an introduction to building their own 3D vase.
rachel H. –
Fun Activity
Cynthia M. –
My students loved making the vases. It was a fun and engaging activity.
Tiffany D. –
My students absolutely enjoyed learning about the history of Ming Vases from China. They were very excited to use the dice as some have trouble deciding on which animal and patterns to make. This ensured that everybody could get to the task on time and helped with classroom planning and management. The vases turned out great. Something I did differently was I had the students use dark blue washable marker and then run over their designs with a wet paintbrush. I used this activity during Lunar New Year.
Howes in the Middle (Teacher-Author) –
Thank you! I will also use this when on maternity leave.
Simply Educate – Alannah Pang (Teacher-Author) –
Definitely a new favourite! My students LOVED this project!
Brittney W. –
Great Resource!
Emily D. –
I really enjoyed watching students complete this assignment. I am not an art teacher but rather a world history teacher and this was an excellent extension activity to the silk road. Students loved rolling the dice and practicing their artistic skills. Now these pots decorate the outside of my classroom! Thanks!
Jen F. –
This was a mixed grade secondary art class. They all enjoyed it and it was easy to adapt to varying abilities.
Art NUTter (Teacher-Author) –
My fourth and fifth-grade students are studying art history. As a catch-up day activity, I gave students the option of creating artwork with these roll-an-art worksheets. The Chinese vases the students made using this worksheet came out beautifully! Thank you for the great resource!
Marijke Jacobs –
My student really enjoyed this lesson. The diagrams were clear and easy to follow for the students.
Jennifer P. –
This was a FUN activity to do while studying the Ming Dynasty!
Susan Torriero –
I was able to use this with Distance learning. I was able to upload the game for students to use. It was so engaging for them as it was different than a normal lesson structure, who doesn’t like a game! The results were photos of beautiful vases sent to me. A very enjoyable lesson. Thanks
Nancy V. –
great resource
Anya’s PYP Adventures (Teacher-Author) –
Great for integrating art and fine motor skills into our study of ancient civilisations. I used it with much younger students, so we had to adapt some but it came out lovely.
Deena M. –
My students enjoyed the activities in this resource!
celia C. –
I love the addition of the “you pick” page for easier classroom access. great designs! thank you!
Doris Salazar –
My students use this to connect two topics we were reading about an immigrant from China and we use this for Mother’s Day.
SMW ARTROOM (Teacher-Author) –
My 3rd graders loved learning about ancient Chinese pottery through this lesson! The game aspect helped remove some of their apprehension.
Art Teach Doodle –
Such a great tool to use before artmaking!
Jessica T. –
Such a fun addition to our unit on China!
Keryn H. –
Thanks
Meghan S. –
My students loved how their art came out. I used this as part of my Chinese New Year Day. They were so proud of their vases and proudly show them off to different people that enter the room.
darla S. –
fantastic. easy to read / understand directions. nice for a sub lesson
Paula Radice (verified owner) –
Very pleased with the quality of resources that comes with this pack – the information and templates for the vase shapes, the self-assessment sheets etc. A super package – thank you!
ClipArtGal (store manager) –
Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a clear and concise review. It’s MUCH appreciated! <3
Catherine M. –
A very high-quality resource my students absolutely loved!
Montessorikiwi (Teacher-Author) –
What a great resource for teaching art history!
Laurie E. –
Perfect for an interdisciplinary lesson art with social studies.
Paige T. –
Love the activity!
Susan B. –
Great addition to my lesson
Ana Azurmendi –
Great resource and easy to use.
Justine P. –
Great resource, thank you!
Hanna K. –
Engaging activity for kids!!
Stacey J. –
Great Resource
Melissa T. –
Great resource! Students loved designing their vase!
Karyn Balan –
Was a great supplement to my art history unit when I wasnÕt able to cover all of the time periods that I had hoped to do with an intensive project.
Jessica F. –
A great and easy way to introduce greek art vases.