200 Sketchbook Prompts for Upper Elementary
Turn “I don’t know what to draw!” into “That gives me an idea!” with this fan deck of sketchbook prompts for upper elementary kids. Reach even your most unenthusiastic student. With 200 drawing prompts to choose from, there will be no short supply of ideas.
Plan weekly sketchbook assignments, bell ringer activities, and even be prepped with last minute art sub plans. These prompts are designed to be fun, engaging, and easy enough to capture kid’s attention.
I used this fan in my upper elementary art classes and they loved it! There are so many silly and wacky prompts that make everyone laugh. As a result, I wound up making another fan deck for my middle schoolers and lower elementary kids, too.
Features
- 200 unique drawing assignments your students will love, so you don’t have to spend all your time coming up with ideas
- Clear, crisp printing to make a professional looking resource for your lessons
- Basic to intermediate drawing prompts to help spark ideas
- Step-by-step assembly directions with pictures, so you don’t struggle figuring out the best way to put it together
- Simple, clean design that enables students to focus on the task at hand
Examples of Sketchbook Prompts for Upper Elementary
- There are many tools an artist uses to create art. Select a few tools and sketch them.
- You’re a tooth that’s escaped someone’s mouth. Draw your adventures on the outside.
- Draw a chicken dressed as a ballet dancer.
Ways to Use the Fan Deck for Art Journaling
- These sketchbook prompts make great bell ringers. Ease kids into your art lesson with a “do now” to focus their attention. Then, have them finish it as their weekly or bi-weekly homework assignment.
- This fan deck makes an awesome fast finisher activity. My students were required to have a sketchbook in class so they could work on something of their choosing. Have a set of decks prepped in advance so students can peruse them for drawing ideas. Consider breaking the deck apart into two smaller decks so more students can share them. In this case, a 2” binder ring works just fine.
- If you’re a TAB (teaching for artistic behavior) teacher, this is a wonderful resource to have in your lessons. It’s a great vehicle for self-exploration and to encourage experimentation on their own terms.
- Going to be absent tomorrow? Leave these as art sub plans with your substitute teacher to have students pick a sketchbook assignment for the day. For this purpose, you might find it easier to have a small, hand-selected deck you keep in your sub tub with prompts that use dry art media such as pencil, markers, and colored pencils.
You Will Receive
- 1 Non-Editable PDF (51 pages containing sketchbook ideas to draw and 3 pages with step-by-step assembly directions)
Testimonials
Such an awesome resource! I’m so glad I invested the time to put these together for my classes. I’m ready to go at the drop of a hat if absent. And kids have something to do if they fly through an art project. Thanks! – Kathy Q.
Love these! This resource is going into my early finisher section and will be great for when we have shortened classes and or i need a quick activity for their sketch books! Thank you 🙂 – Tery C.
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
Kelly H. –
I love using these for morning work, they are truly the only activity that 99% of my class are excited to come in and get started. It also was a way to get the students talking, they always wanted to share, or see others ideas!
Kryssa R. –
I’m very pleased with these cards. It has helped my students at the end of the school year to continue staying on task while still thinking creatively.
Melissa N. –
My students loved these drawing prompts as fast finishers in our art class. They are learning to stretch their imaginations and add details to simple prompts.
Kellie W. –
I LOVE these! I teach K-8 STEAM and use these when kids are finished with other projects and they really enjoy them!
a Collorful Mixture (Teacher-Author) –
These have been extremely helpful in my classroom. I have used them as art warm-ups in the beginning of class as well as early finisher ideas.
rachelle L. –
I love these prompts. They are great for students with free time. I’ve also had the entire class draw the same prompt and see how differently they interpreted it.
Stacey W. –
Great for bellringer work, and also good for subs! Thanks!
Mellissa Winzenrith –
Amazing resource for group work!
kathyquinn1612 (verified owner) –
It’s so frustrating being absent because I have to leave art sub plans. This will totally help me get my act together. These sketchbook prompts are also great for fast finishers. So I’m happy to have them!
Teaching Grotto (Teacher-Author) –
Thank you! Perfect for my class!
Kelly Q. –
Such an awesome resource! I’m so glad I invested the time to put these together for my classes. I’m ready to go at the drop of a hat if absent. And kids have something to do if they fly through an art project. Thanks!
Verna Lynn G. –
Great resource – thanks!
Tery C. –
Love these! This resource is going into my early finisher section and will be great for when we have shortened classes and or i need a quick activity for their sketch books! Thank you 🙂
Lynette Z. –
My kids struggle with quick drawing so I have put them in our group drawers as ideas material, I have 5 groups and I split them into 2 sets per group. I am grateful to my mom who cut them out before and after I laminated them