Creativity is all about using your imagination and thinking outside of the box when trying to come up with new ideas or solve problems. It's about finding unique ways to express yourself and seeing the world from different angles, whether through drawing, building, or even thinking up new games to play. Below you'll find five days of reading lessons that explores arts and creativity.
Day 1 activity
 | Let’s watch: Art for AllWatch the video Art for All to learn more about different kinds of art. |
Discuss the video
What does trompe l'oeil mean? What kinds of art would you bring to your community?
 | Let’s read: Paco’s SnowmanPaco gets frustrated when he can’t seem to cut out perfect snowman shapes like his classmates do. How will Paco’s art project turn out? Download Paco's Snowman |
 | Check understandingHow much do you know about Paco's Snowman? Answer these questions. Use the text to help you. |
 | Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 2 activity
| Let’s reread: Paco’s SnowmanPaco gets frustrated when he can’t seem to cut out perfect snowman shapes like his classmates do. How will Paco’s art project turn out? Download Paco's Snowman |
Take it further
Extend the fun with an activity.
Write about it
- Does Paco’s snowman look like a snowman you would see in real life? Why?
- Write two sentences to tell what you think.
| Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 3 activity
| Let’s read: Special Days, Special Dances |
| QuizHow much do you know about Special Days, Special Dances? Take the quiz. Then, check your answers to the quiz. How did you do? |
| Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 4 activity
| Let’s reread: Special Days, Special Dances |
Take it further
Choose an activity to extend the fun.
Project: Make a lion dance costume
- Study the lion dance costumes on pages 4–5.
- Open a large paper bag. Cut two holes where your eyes will be.
- Use markers, construction paper, glue, and crepe paper to decorate the Chinese lion.
- Give the lion a face, complete with teeth, a red tongue, and colored eyes.
Research connection: Read about dances
- Research a special dance by searching online or reading nonfiction books. You can use this book to help you.
- Take notes about what you learn.
- Share with a group.
| Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 5 activity
Let's review
This week you've learned about arts and creativity. Today read more about being creative through theater arts.
| Let’s read: Bags, Blocks, and RugsMiss Tan’s class is getting ready to put on a play. They need to make costumes and sets. How will they do it? Download Bags, Blocks, and Rugs |
Take it further
Extend the fun with an activity.
Hands-on activity: Make a mural
- Make a mural to show the setting for the class play in the story.
| Family supportCreate an art gallery. Make a few pieces of artwork, such as a painting or sculpture. Invite others to contribute a piece as well. Display the artwork around the room. Make labels for each piece to tell who made the artwork and what it was made with. |
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Find more language arts activities for Grades 1-2.
This blog, originally published in 2020, has been updated for 2025.
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