Picasso Art History Lesson for Kids


Some artists followed the rules. Picasso changed them. In this engaging art history lesson, students discover how Pablo Picasso transformed modern art by inventing Cubism and encouraging artists to see the world from multiple perspectives. Complex ideas like abstraction, perspective, and Cubism are explained in a simple, kid-friendly way that elementary students can easily understand.
Students learn about Picasso’s fascinating life, including his Blue and Rose Periods, his partnership with Georges Braque, the influence of African masks on Cubism, Guernica, the famous Peace Dove, and why Picasso became one of the most influential artists in history. The lesson is filled with interesting stories, discussion ideas, and artwork examples that keep students engaged from beginning to end.
The lesson concludes with a flexible Cubist portrait project featuring four different project options, making it easy to adapt for a wide range of ages and abilities. Students can choose from collage, drawing, mixed media, or patterned templates while creating colorful portraits inspired by Picasso’s bold artistic style.
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What’s Included
Complete kid-friendly art history lesson about Pablo Picasso
Biography with fun facts and historical timeline
Blue Period and Rose Period
Cubism explained for children
Abstract art and perspective explained
African masks and their influence on Cubism
Georges Braque and the birth of Cubism
Discussion of famous Picasso artworks
Information about Guernica and the Peace Dove
Teacher notes and discussion questions
4 Cubist portrait project options
Printable face templates
Eye, mouth, and facial feature templates
Printable Picasso Challenge worksheet
Student examples Step-by-step project instructions
Where to Buy
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Official Zappy Arts website
