Outschool
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Log In

Painting Club: America the Beautiful, With Acrylic

In this class, students will paint scenes from the natural landscapes of the USA in Acrylic paint. There are 8 videos of guided painting instruction and details about each region of our beautiful country.
Teacher Amanda Bestor
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(47)
Class
Play

What's included

8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
I love teaching painting classes and sharing my love of travel and nature. I've been a Social studies teacher and have traveled to 47 of our beautiful states. This class combines my experience with my love of art and travel.
Students will get 8 video lessons of painting instruction in acrylic paint (40 minutes-1+ hours a week, depending on the painting) and an interactive Padlet classroom to ask questions and share art. I will teach students the tools used while painting and how to start a project. I will introduce brush and blending techniques in each lesson. I will cover setting up, storing paint, and sketching a template when planning a painting project. In each session, I will share facts and stories about each region and discuss some beautiful places I have seen. I will also talk about the natural resources found in each region and some of the wildlife found there.

Students usually complete one painting lesson a week, so the class should take 8 weeks, but it could take longer depending on your schedule. Students will receive a video lesson they can watch while they paint. This is a great resource because they can stop and rewind videos as needed. I will make the paintings listed below each week. I will also provide some reference photos for ideas of other items that they could make. In each lesson, I will talk them through the techniques that I am using and how they can do them. 

I will provide feedback for 8 weeks on paintings that students post in the classroom or on the padlet.

Students will have access to a class Padlet where they can see images of and like the work of others. All posts need to be approved by me, so only appropriate posts will go up. The Padlet works like a giant bulletin board where students can see their peers' work and get more ideas about what to try independently. Sometimes, students will choose to get feedback through the classroom message platform, and sometimes, students will post their work on the Padlet. This is up to the student, but I encourage them to try the Padlet, as it will make the class more interactive if they want it. I will also use Google Slides to show reference images to look at. Videos will be posted as a private YouTube link that is easy to click on and access.

I am skilled at differentiating content for many ages and learning needs in a kind and supportive style. I will have a camera on my hand while I paint, but it will also be visible on the screen at the beginning and the end of the lesson for directions. Learners will not need any prior experience but will need painting materials. I encourage parents and students to reach out with questions or technology struggles if they need help. I can help problem-solve or make additional mini-lessons when requested. I always strive for a positive five-star experience for my students and love teaching this class.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the following:
- Facts about the 5 regions of the USA and information about the wildlife and natural resources found there. 
- Stories of beautiful places in each region and some reference ideas to explore beyond our painting of the week.
- I love painting and find it a relaxing and enjoyable hobby.
- How to set up your painting space and how acrylic and watercolor paint differ from other paints.
- How to clean up at the end of class and care for your paints and brushes.
- How to design your project by making a quick sketch on paper.
- How to begin painting and building from back to front.
- How fun sharing work on a class Padlet and artist's outlet for showcasing skills.
- Different skills and tricks for acrylic painting.
The goal is to leave with a finished or almost finished nature or animal painting and for students to gain confidence in acrylic painting techniques.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)
8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Lesson 1: Southwest (Desert and cacti)
 Lesson 1: Southwest (Desert and cacti)
Facts and stories about the southwest and information about some beautiful places I have seen. I will also talk about the natural resources found in each region and some of the wildlife found there. 
Lesson 2:
Lesson 2: West (Alaska Glaciers)
 Lesson 2: West (Alaska Glaciers)
Facts and stories about the west and information about some beautiful places I have seen. I will also talk about the natural resources found in each region and some of the wildlife found there. 
Lesson 3:
Lesson 3: West (California coast and Sealife)
 Lesson 3: West (California coast and Sealife) 
Facts and stories about the west and information about some beautiful places I have seen. I will also talk about the natural resources found in each region and some of the wildlife found there. 
Lesson 4:
Lesson 4: West (Mountains of Wyoming and Montana)
 Lesson 4: West (Mountains of Wyoming and Montana)
Facts and stories about the west and information about some beautiful places I have seen. I will also talk about the natural resources found in each region and some of the wildlife found there. 

Other Details

Learning Needs
This class is designed to give ideas of how a student could modify a class to add their own creativity and showcase their own interest and direction.
Parental Guidance
Students will have access to a class Padlet where they can see images of and like the work of others. All posts need to be approved by me, so only appropriate posts will go up. The Padlet works like a giant bulletin board where students can see their peer's work and get more ideas about what to try independently. They can also ask questions in the classroom and share techniques that work. I will also use Google slides to show reference images to look at. When parents enroll in the class, they will get a QR code and a video on how to post on Padlet. Padlet is free to join. I just log-in with my Google account. My videos get too large, so I post them using a private YouTube video link that will work for viewing the lesson each week.
Supply List
- Acrylic paint in various colors.
- Paint brushes of various sizes (small-tipped brushes, especially-not just the one brush that comes with watercolor paints)
- Mixed media paper, a canvas, or other thick painting paper
- My paintings are done on canvas.
- Masking tape
- A covered workspace (Newspaper works great)
- A cup of water
- Paper towels and paper plates
- Paper and a pencil
- Small plastic container for mixing paint. A yogurt lid or paper plates work well.
- A waterproof ultra-fine marker or micron pen
 1 file available upon enrollment
Joined May, 2022
4.9
47reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Montana Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
I've been a classroom teacher for 16 years, taught 5th and 6th Grade Social studies for 2 of those years, and have been teaching painting on Outschool for a year. I have taught students to paint in my school's after-school program and at summer camps. I love to paint and teach art.

Reviews

Self-Paced Class
Share

$15

weekly or $120 for all content
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content

Completed by 5 learners
Choose your start date
Ages: 10-15

Enroll Now, Start Anytime
About
Support
SafetyPrivacyCA PrivacyLearner PrivacyManage Data PreferencesTerms
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© 2024 Outschool