A Simple Wood Panel Art Lesson for Elementary Students

Let’s face it: art lessons can sometimes take weeks and months to complete! That’s not always ideal, especially during points in the year when schedules are constantly cut short and time is limited. That’s why this wood panel art lesson is one of my favorites! Not only can you dive into conversations on media, art techniques, and even ELA skills - but you can complete the art on the wood panel in a few class periods.

Why Create Art on Wood Panels?

Drawing on wood is a great way to engage students' senses. Creating art on wood panels feels different than drawing on paper, which gets students curious and excited! Students can also explore different utensils, like permanent markers, pencils, and paint.

Wood panels can be bought in bulk and are pretty inexpensive, which is great for those with a small budget to spend each year. You can also check in with your school PTO or other resources to see if they can donate the wood panels.

“All Eyes on Me” Wood Panel Lesson

For this particular wood panel art lesson, you’ll need paper, a wood panel for each student, magnets, and various utensils (markers, pencils, paint, and more).

I call this lesson “All Eyes on Me” because students will be creating eyes! I also like to tie it into the idiom “all eyes on me” and have a discussion about the idiom with students. This project really challenges students because they’ll be tasked with creating a realistic-looking eye. Then, I ask them to break the rules a bit and add some unrealistic features to their eye. This is where their creativity really shines.

Let’s take a look at the process for the wood panel art lesson.

1. Students will start by learning how to draw a realistic eye. Show students several example images and model the process of drawing an eye. Then, give students a sheet of paper and a pencil to practice drawing an eye.

2. Have students reflect with a partner about their eye. What part looks realistic? What part could use a little extra help? Then, have students finish their eye drawings.

3. Next, you’ll challenge students by having them look at their realistic eye and then draw an eye with unrealistic traits. This might be a pattern around the eye, an unrealistic eye color, and more. Let students get creative here.

4. Then, have students create their unrealistic eye drawing on the wood panel. I have students start with pencil, then add marker, and at the very end, use paint. Not only does this make clean up quick and easy because you don’t need to dry projects until the end, but it helps the project move a lot faster.

Once students' eyes are complete, I suggest adding magnets to the back! This way students can use their artwork at home.

If you want to recreate this project in your art room, check out the “All Eyes on Me” Wood Panel Art Lesson. You’ll get access to a standards alignment guide, differentiation guide, student reflection sheet, lesson sequence, process photos, and more to make this lesson a breeze. Everything you need (besides your art materials) to bring this lesson to life is included!

I’m Amanda, and I align standards and integrate content to help teachers meet the needs of the Whole Child in art class! I have yet to find a standard that I couldn’t teach through art, and I want to share it all with you.

Not sure where to start with bringing art and content together? This freebie guide is packed with 25 ideas to align your art lessons with math and ELA standards. Your students will be crafting art and practicing algebraic thinking. Win-win!

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Follow along on my Instagram page for more tips on teaching the Whole Child in the art room!

Connecting art and content together doesn’t have to be mind-boggling. I’ve made it simple with 25 math and ELA art lesson starters - for free! Plus, I included 15 worksheets for students to reflect on their art-making journey.