Description

Russian Nesting Dolls 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 Russian Nesting Dolls project that excites students. Teach your students about folk art, wood turning, and the art of creating Matryoshka Dolls. This art lesson is great for discussing how artists use symbols in their work.

Are you trying to foster more independence in your art room? This Russian Nesting Dolls 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 design a Russian nesting doll by rolling the die and collecting the different parts required to create it.

1. First, trace the Matryoshka doll onto another sheet of heavy white drawing paper.
2. Then, roll the die to choose a head and draw it. Next, roll to decide which hair style you’ll add.
3. Then roll for the face, an apron, and decorations. Draw them.
4. Using washable markers, outline some areas. Use crayons to color in other parts.
5. Dip a small brush in water. Carefully smudge the brush 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.
6. Next outline everything with permanent marker.
7. Lastly, when dry, cut it out.

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 Russian Nesting Dolls 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

1st – 5th grade

Main Learning Objective

Students will be able to design a Matryoshka Russian Nesting Doll using symbols from Russian folk art

Materials

• Markers
• Crayons
• Drawing Paper

You Will Receive

• 13-Page, Non-Editable PDF (Russian Nesting Dolls Game)
• 9-Page Non-Editable PowerPoint Presentation
• Dice Game
• Choice-Based Drawing Version of the Game
• Step-by-Step Picture Tutorial and Directions
• The Art of Russian Matryoshka Dolls 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 the download as well as on Google Slides and YouTube (links on the bottom of page 3)