Mystery Drawings - set of five, K-5 classroom or art room activity

*Also available in the Everything Art Bundle*

*Also available in the Art Integration for the Elementary Classroom Bundle*

Mystery drawings are drawings students create without knowing what the picture will be - a great exercise for listening skills and reinforcing vocabulary. I have used these successfully in my K-5 art room for many years and the kids love them. They are perfect for days when you want the students to be focused and engaged - I like to use them during the last week of school or when we need to be quiet, like testing week. Included are a castle, an owl, a slice of pie, alligators, and a ship.

Regular classroom teachers will enjoy this activity as well, as it uses many math vocabulary words (vertical, horizontal, shapes, over, under, curve, straight, etc.) and promotes good listening as well as personal expression. Teachers guide the drawing, but you do not have to be "good at drawing" because the steps are very simple, even though the result is impressive!

Basic instructions:

1. Teacher announces that the students will solve a mystery by listening to clues and drawing step by step - students won't know what they are about to draw

2. Students follow along with paper and pencil

3. When mystery is solved, students complete drawings with personal and unique details