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Session 08: Digital Art 🎨

Overview

Grades: 1-2 | Duration: 30 minutes | Session: 8 of 17

Students explore digital art creation using tablets, discovering how technology can be used for creative expression and praise.

Session 08: Digital Art

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Use a digital drawing app to create art

  • Explore digital tools (brush, colors, stamps)

  • Create a meaningful digital artwork

  • Connect digital creativity to praising God

Session 08: Digital Art

Materials Needed

  • 📱 Tablets with drawing app (such as: Kids Doodle, Drawing Pad, Tayasui Sketches)

  • 📓 Design Detective journals

  • 🖼️ Examples of digital art

  • 📋 App navigation guide

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Blessed Fra Angelico — A friar who created beautiful art for God's glory. If he lived today, he might use digital tools!

Scripture

"Sing to the Lord a new song." — Psalm 96:1 (We can also CREATE new things for the Lord!)

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you made us creative like you. Thank you for new ways to make art! Help us use technology to create beautiful things that honor you. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (4 minutes)

  1. Digital Art — "Today we make art on tablets!"
  2. New Tools — "Artists today use computers and tablets"
  3. Same Creativity — "Digital or paper—art comes from your creative mind!"
  4. Blessed Fra Angelico — Made art to praise God
  5. Today's Goal — "Create digital art that shows something beautiful!"

Main Activity: Digital Art Creation (20 minutes)

Part 1: App Exploration (5 minutes)

  • Open drawing app

  • Explore tools:

  • 🖌️ Brushes (different sizes)
  • 🎨 Colors (palette or picker)
  • ⭕ Shapes

  • ↩️ Undo button (fix mistakes!)

  • Free exploration time

Part 2: Guided Creation (7 minutes)

  • Follow-along activity:
  • Draw a background (choose a color)
  • Add a main subject (suggest: flower, animal, house, or scene from nature)
  • Add details (sun, clouds, ground)

  • Add your name signature!

  • Teacher demonstrates on display if available

Part 3: Free Creation (6 minutes)

  • Create your own artwork!

  • Theme suggestions:

  • Something you love about God's creation
  • Your family
  • A place that makes you happy
  • Something you're thankful for

Part 4: Gallery (2 minutes)

  • Show neighbors your artwork

  • Share one thing you like about your creation

Design Detective Journal (4 minutes)

  1. Draw (on paper!) what you created digitally
  2. Write: "I made... because..."
  3. Circle: Creating digital art was: Fun! 😊 Hard 😰 Cool! 🎉

Closing Circle (2 minutes)

  1. Art Celebration — "You're digital artists!"
  2. Praising God — "Our creativity is a gift from God—use it to bring joy!"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for creativity and new tools. Help us make beautiful things that make the world better. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Successfully used digital drawing tools

  • Created original artwork

  • Explored multiple features

  • Connected art to meaningful themes

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Focus on 2-3 tools

  • Pre-started template to add to

  • Partner exploration

For Advanced Students

  • Explore advanced features

  • Create multiple artworks

  • Use layers or effects

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Try digital art at home if you have a tablet or computer! Many free drawing websites exist. Compare digital art to paper art—what's different? What's the same? Create art together!

Teacher Notes

  • Pre-install and test drawing apps

  • Free apps: Kids Doodle, Tayasui Sketches Jr, Drawing Pad

  • Have backup paper art activity ready

  • Consider saving/printing student work

Previous: Session 07 — Star Makers
Next: Session 09 — Faith Scientists