Description
James Rizzi Cityscape Art Game
Are you looking for a fun way to supplement your art history lessons? Going to be absent and need last minute art sub plans? Fill up your sub tub with low-prep art lessons like this James Rizzi cityscape project that excites students. Teach your students about pop art, how to buildings, and the principle of design called repetition.
Are you trying to foster more independence in your art room? This James Rizzi cityscape art game makes for the best and most productive early finisher activity for your students. You can set up a choice-based art center where students select an activity amongst different ones. Print out the game board and directions back to back, put them in a labeled folders, and let them pick what they’d like to create. This is similar to a directed drawing activity in which students are guided through the art process.
If you’re a teacher looking for a differentiated art lesson that boosts independent thinking, problem-solving, and skill-acquisition, this will do the trick.
Student Directions
You will create a James Rizzi cityscape by rolling the die and collecting the different parts required to create it.
- Using either a black permanent marker or crayon, draw buildings that overlap one another beginning with shorter ones in front.
- Then, roll the die three times to select three faces from the first column.
- Roll three more times to select three more faces from the second column.
- The next three rolls with determine window shapes. Draw as many windows as needed to fill your buildings.
- Then, roll three more times for items to place in the background. Add as many as needed.
- And lastly, roll three more times to select some fun extras to draw either on, in front, or on top of the buildings. Draw as many as you like.
- Color the details with crayons. Using washable markers, outline everything. Dip a small brush in water and carefully smudge it in the marker lines to paint in the shapes. If you need to neatly add more “paint” to larger areas, smudge some marker on a scrap piece of paper and use that as a paint palette.
- Allow each area to dry slightly before moving on to a neighboring area of the design.
Teacher Directions
I’ve included three ways students can generate their design. The first is the game board where students roll the die to select their parts. The second is a “you pick” board. Both of these are printables. And lastly, for teachers needing engaging lessons during distance learning, I’ve added digital spinner wheels!
First, print out the James Rizzi cityscape game and picture directions back-to-back. Then give your students dice and watch them have fun creating their own art project independently. If you have access to a smartboard or projector, use the accompanying PowerPoint presentation. It will guide the students during each part of the art project.
Once completed, have students use the self-assessment rubrics to evaluate their artwork based on craftsmanship, creativity, following directions, work habits, project goals, and clean up. And then have them complete the “Big Ideas” sheet so they can connect the creation process to their learning.
If you are substituting or need a fast finisher activity, use the included coloring page.
Grade Levels
- 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade
Main Learning Objective
- Students will be able to create a James Rizzi inspired cityscape using mixed media
Materials
- Markers
- Drawing Paper
- Permanent Markers
- Crayons
You Will Receive
- 13-Page, Non-Editable PDF (James Rizzi Cityscape Art Game)
- 9-Page Non-Editable PowerPoint Presentation
- Dice Game
- Choice-Based Drawing Version of the Game
- Step-by-Step Picture Tutorial and Directions
- How to Draw Rizzi Buildings
- James Rizzi Biography Handout
- Visual Arts Self-Assessment Rubrics
- Artist “Big Ideas” Reflection Sheets
- 8, “I CAN” Statements Aligned to the Studio Habits of Mind
- Practice Drawing Page
- Coloring Page
- Paperless Google Drive digital resource for students (also for use in Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, Seesaw, Microsoft OneDrive, Teams, and anywhere else you can share a link to a file…link on the bottom of page 2)
- Digital Spinner Wheels in Google Slides (link on the bottom of page 3)
Testimonials
I love these art game lessons! I think this is my 4th one I have purchased. And I love the assessments included, the Power Point with visual step by step instructions. The whole thing is so well thought out and put together. I have used them as sub lessons but I want to use them as regular lessons as well! – Danielle M.
This was exactly what I was looking for when I was teaching my students about Rizzi! My class had a blast using this. Would be great for sub plans as well. Thank you! – Tara L.
I love every single one of these art lessons. I use them with my class not just when I have a sub. – Rachel C.
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
kathyquinn1612 (verified owner) –
My students loved this James Rizzi activity. It was easy to teach and gave them some option when it came to drawing. Thanks!