Celebrate Youth Art Month in the Classroom

Youth Art Month is celebrated every March to emphasize the value of art education and encourage support for quality art programs in schools. It’s a wonderful opportunity to remind students (and ourselves!) that art isn’t just “extra” but that it strengthens creativity, problem-solving, literacy, and confidence.

In elementary classrooms especially, art supports fine motor development, reading comprehension, creative writing, critical thinking, and cultural understanding.

And the best part is that it can easily be woven into what you’re already teaching.

Turn your classroom into an art adventure with this Vincent van Gogh Fact Booklet designed just for young learners. Students will read easy-to-understand facts about his life and art, complete a research form and comprehension check, practice grammar with sentence sorting, create a hands-on craft inspired by his masterpieces, and choose from cross-curricular choice board activities. 

Whether they’re exploring Starry Night or painting sunflowers, students connect art and academics in a way that feels like play  while you maintain structure and skill-building.

This Frida Kahlo Fact Booklet beautifully blends art, culture, and literacy.

Students explore simple facts about Frida’s life, build comprehension skills, create a Frida-inspired craft, practice sentence building, and engage in 12 cross-curricular choice board activities. From learning about La Casa Azul to creating their own self-portraits, students are inspired by her courage and creativity,  while practicing essential academic skills.

Step into the world of a true Renaissance thinker with this Leonardo da Vinci Fact Booklet. Students can read kid-friendly facts about Leonardo, complete research and comprehension activities, build literacy through sentence sorting, create a hands-on craft, and explore cross-curricular choice board options.  It’s perfect for centers, early finishers, or small groups, and this resource encourages curiosity, imagination, and problem-solving just like Leonardo himself.

SmartArt is designed for those moments when creativity needs structure.

It includes stained glass templates, portrait templates, writing activities about art,

math-based art activities, flexible printing options (color or black & white) and sample finished products. It’s especially helpful for substitute plans during art rotations, as enrichment, during testing weeks when you still want meaningful engagement. Students can create as you maintain order. Everyone wins!

Here are five Art-Themed Children’s Books for Youth Art Month:

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds is a beautiful story about confidence, creativity, and starting with one small mark.

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds encourages children to embrace imperfection and artistic freedom.

Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy shows how art can transform communities.

The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock is a creative biography of artist Wassily Kandinsky.

Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe is a vibrant biography of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Five practical Youth Art Month Activities that are easy to implement may be:

1. Have an artist of the week rotation by choosing one featured artist per week (Van Gogh, Frida, Leonardo). Read the fact booklet, complete one literacy activity, and end with the craft.

2. Create a  self-portrait writing extension : After reading about Frida students create a self-portrait write 3–5 sentences about what makes them unique. This builds confidence and descriptive writing skills.

3.  After learning about Van Gogh discuss the night sky and integrate a short science mini-lesson then paint swirling skies.  This is definitely  a cross-curricular without extra planning. 

4.  After studying da Vinci, have students sketch an invention and label parts.  Finally write what it does.  This activity is a perfect STEM extension.

5. Classroom Art Gallery Walk

Display student artwork as students walk silently and leave sticky-note compliments. This allows them to practice positive critique and builds communication and respect.

Youth Art Month Matters because it recognizes the importance of art, builds literacy, encourages emotional expression, supports diverse learners,

strengthens cross-curricular connections and most importantly,  it gives children confidence.

When students learn about artists who struggled, persevered, and created boldly, they begin to see themselves as capable creators too. 

Resources may be found in my store:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher

February Dental Health Month: Healthy Smiles and Happy Hearts!

February is such a special month in the classroom. It’s full of cozy winter learning, Valentine kindness themes… and it’s also National Children’s Dental Health Month—the perfect time to teach students how to care for their teeth in fun, memorable ways.

Dental health is one of those topics kids love because it feels real and practical: brushing, flossing, losing teeth, the tooth fairy, visiting the dentist… they’re instantly curious and excited.

To help make Dental Health Month simple (and fun) for teachers, I’m featuring several of my favorite February resources:

 Dentist Fact Booklet, Dental Health Booklet, Healthy Smiles (teeth and hands-on activities), Designing a Dental Office (Community Helper Design Challenge), How to Draw Dental Tools

Each one fits perfectly into February lesson plans and works well for centers, whole group, small group, or independent learning.

Dental Health Month is more than just brushing teeth—it’s about helping children build healthy habits they’ll use for life. It also fits beautifully into:

Science: body systems and hygiene

Health lessons: routines and healthy choices

Community helpers: learning about dentists

SEL: confidence, self-care, responsibility

And let’s be honest… kids LOVE learning about teeth. 

Healthy Smiles 

If you’re looking for the one resource that gives you everything you need for a dental health unit, Healthy Smiles was made for you!

This unit is packed with engaging activities to teach all about teeth and dental care—while keeping students active, hands-on, and excited.

Included activities (from the resource):

Craftivities: pocket tooth, tooth fairy, toothbrush

Toothbrush flip book

Sorting sentences

Addition/subtraction/patterning

Story elements for What If You Had Animal Teeth?

What If You Had Animal Teeth? craftivity

Writing activity – 3 levels

Pocket chart flash cards

It’s a perfect supplement for your dental health lessons and gives you lots of options depending on your learners.

Designing a Community Helper’s Office — Dentist 

One of the BEST ways to teach community helpers is by letting students think like community helpers—and this design challenge does exactly that.

In this project, students design a dentist office (or doctor office) and explore what tools and equipment are needed for each profession. This is such a meaningful learning experience because students are using problem-solving skills while connecting literacy, science, and art.

    Included features (from the resource):

Students design dentist/doctor offices using design challenges

Sort items by what belongs in each office

Two ability levels (with or without graphics)

Options for drawing/designing OR coloring/cutting/pasting

Offices in black & white and color

Writing form, fact sheets, and task cards

This is a fantastic February project because students are practicing real engineering thinking—planning, building, adjusting, and explaining.

To keep your Dental Health Month unit consistent and easy to teach, these resources follow the same “teacher-friendly” format as your other best-selling fact booklets and directed drawing sets:

 Dentist Fact Booklet

Perfect for learning about what dentists do, their tools, and how they help people. A great tie-in to community helper units!

Dental Health Booklet

Supports essential dental health concepts—helping students understand how and why we care for our teeth.

How to Draw Dental Tools

Kids LOVE directed drawing, and this is such a fun way to reinforce vocabulary while boosting confidence. Directed drawing also strengthens:

fine motor skills

listening

sequencing

following directions

writing extensions

5 K–2 Read Aloud Books for Dental Health Month 

Here are 5 engaging read alouds that work perfectly with your resources:

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss (Theo. LeSieg)-A fun and silly classic that celebrates teeth and why they matter. 

Brush, Brush, Brush! by Alicia Padron - A simple, rhyming book that encourages healthy brushing habits. 

Bear’s Loose Tooth — Karma WilsonA cute story kids enjoy—perfect for connections to tooth care and dental visits. 

What If You Had Animal Teeth? by Sandra Markle - A favorite for kids and a PERFECT tie-in since your Healthy Smiles includes story elements and a craft based on this title.

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan & Jan Berenstain - A classic that helps reduce fear and shows what happens at the dentist.

5 Easy Classroom Activities for Dental Health Month 

These are fun, simple, and highly effective—perfect for February:

1) “Healthy Smiles” Brushing Routine Chart

Students create a daily brushing/flossing goal chart for the week.

2) Tooth Fairy Writing Prompt (Kindness tie-in!)

Prompt idea:“I f I were the Tooth Fairy, I would…” Encourage kindness: leaving notes, encouraging healthy habits, helping nervous kids.

3) Sink or Float Toothpaste Experiment

Test small objects (plastic tooth, penny, eraser, floss container). Students record predictions and results.

4) Dentist Office Dramatic Play / Role-Play

Set up a simple dentist office in the classroom with:

gloves

mask

mirror

“appointment” slips

5) Dental Tools Label and Draw

Use your How to Draw Dental Tools to introduce vocabulary, then have students label tools and write:

“A dentist uses a ____ to ____.”

Dental Health Month gives us a wonderful chance to teach life skills that matter—while still keeping February fun and engaging.

Whether you want: hands-on crafts and literacy (Healthy Smiles), engineering + community helper learning (Designing a Dentist Office), nonfiction fact reading (Fact Booklets), or creative directed drawing (How to Draw Dental Tools), these resources help make Dental Health Month feel structured, simple, and exciting for K–2 learners!

All products may be found in my store. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher 

February: A Month for Love… and a Trip to the “Cities of Love” (Paris & Venice!)

February is often called the month of love—a time when hearts are everywhere, Valentine’s cards fill our classrooms, and we remind our students that love is more than just a holiday. Love is kindness, friendship, and learning to care about others.

This February, I’m taking my love theme in a fun new direction… all the way to Europe! 

Two of the most famous “Cities of Love” in the world are Paris, France and Venice, Italy—and they’re the perfect inspiration for classroom learning during February.

Paris has been known as the “City of Love” for generations. It’s romantic, beautiful, and filled with art, history, charming streets, and cozy cafés. People visit from all over the world to celebrate love, take photos, and share unforgettable moments together.

One memory that always stays with me is seeing the love locks—locks placed by couples as a symbol of lasting love. I remember seeing them along the Seine River and near bridges, shining in the sunlight like tiny pieces of someone’s story. 

Paris just has that special feeling: walking near the Eiffel Tower, watching the boats drift down the Seine, and even enjoying the simple joy of a warm croissant. (Yes, the croissants alone deserve a love story!) 

Venice feels like it was designed for romance.

With its canals, gondolas, and winding walkways, it almost feels like stepping into a storybook. Venice is famous for couples taking gondola rides under bridges and through quiet canals—slow, peaceful, and magical.

Venice also has a long artistic and cultural history. It’s full of music, beauty, and old-world charm—another reason people connect it with love, special moments, and unforgettable memories.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate February is by mixing kindness and empathy with something students love: travel, fun facts, and hands-on activities.

That’s why I’m featuring four resources this month:

France Fact Booklet

France brings so much excitement to the classroom—especially with student-friendly topics like traditions, landmarks, and foods. I always say: France is the smell of warm croissants and the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower!

This France Fact Booklet is designed for early learners (Pre-K/K and struggling 1st graders) and includes:

A black-and-white informational booklet (great for guided reading groups or independent reading)

A booklet to create (with options for slow and fast workers!)

Note-taking pages and research forms

Crafts and extension activities

It’s perfect for country units, centers, early finishers, homework, or independent projects.

How to Draw France (Directed Drawing)

Now here’s the fun part—because nothing says February joy like eating a croissant while learning to draw the Eiffel Tower! 

This directed drawing resource builds confidence and helps students practice:

Fine motor skills

Following directions

Listening skills

Creative writing

It includes 3 levels of writing for drawings such as:Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, croissant, flag, cheese, French fries, umbrella, baguette, and more.

Italy Fact Booklet

Italy is another perfect choice for February—especially since Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world! Your Italy Fact Booklet follows the same student-friendly format as France, helping young learners explore Italian culture, landmarks, and traditions in a way that feels fun and manageable for teachers.

How to Draw Italy (Directed Drawing)

This resource pairs beautifully with your Italy booklet and gives students a creative way to connect what they learn with art and writing. Directed drawing is always a classroom favorite—and it’s perfect for February centers and themed learning weeks!

One reason I love using “Cities of Love” as a February theme is that it’s not just about romance—it’s about teaching children that love shows up in everyday ways:

 Caring about others, Being a good friend, Including someone who feels left out, Showing kindness with words and actions

Books, geography, art, and culture are wonderful pathways to these conversations—because they help students see that love and kindness are celebrated around the world.

Here are a few fun February classroom ideas

 “Postcards of Kindness”

Have students write a postcard from “Paris” or “Venice” to a friend or family member with a kind message.

Love Lock Writing Prompt (kid-friendly)

Students draw a paper “lock” and finish one sentence:

“Love is…”

“Kindness is…”

“I show love by…”

Then hang them on a “bridge” bulletin board display.

Travel Stamp Reading Challenge

Give students paper passports and let them earn a stamp for completing:

booklet reading

a drawing

a writing page

a kindness act

 “Bonjour!” + “Ciao!” Word Fun

Teach students simple greetings:

Bonjour = Hello (French)

Ciao = Hello/Goodbye (Italian)

Merci = Thank you

Grazie = Thank you

Kids love learning words from other languages!

February is a month filled with hearts—but it’s also a month filled with opportunities to teach what love really means. By traveling (even if only through books and art!) to Paris and Venice, students can explore culture, geography, and traditions while also learning something just as important:

Kindness and empathy are what make the world beautiful. 

If you’re looking for February resources that combine learning, creativity, and love-themed fun, my France and Italy Fact Booklets and How to Draw resources are a perfect fit for your Valentine’s season!

All resources may be found in my store. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher