1. 34 5-Minute Bell-work, Warmups, and Sketchbook Prompts
Elements of Art: Shape
34 5-Minute Bell-work, Warmups, and Sketchbook Prompts

2. How to use this slideshow:
Use these prompts as bell-work. Have the desired slide shown on the screen as students enter; they can immediately get to work on the warm-ups for the first couple minutes of class until time is up.
Consider walking around and observing students while they work. This will give you the option of giving points if daily assessment is needed in your classes.
Use these prompts while reviewing Shape as an Element of Art, or, use them as project-starters.
These exercises work best when students possess their own class sketchbook or art folder.
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3. Draw every geometric shape that you can think of, the best that you can. Continue thinking and drawing until time is up.

4. Draw every organic shape that you can think of, the best that you can
Draw every organic shape that you can think of, the best that you can. Continue thinking and drawing until time is up.

5. Create five different pattern lines consisting entirely of shapes.

6. Recreate the letters A - H, using only shapes, and no lines.

7. Recreate the letters I - Q, using only shapes, and no lines.

8. Recreate the letters R - Z, using only shapes, and no lines.

9. Create an abstract design, using only one shape
Create an abstract design, using only one shape. Overlap, and use many variations of that shape.

10. Choose one shape to draw in the middle of your paper
Choose one shape to draw in the middle of your paper. Now draw concentric shapes around it (size larger), until you reach the end of the paper. Color how you wish.

11. Draw 6 identical squares on your paper
Draw 6 identical squares on your paper. Brainstorm about squares in your environment, and turn each square into a different object.

12. Draw 6 identical triangles on your paper
Draw 6 identical triangles on your paper. Brainstorm about triangles in your environment, and turn each triangle into a different object.

13. Draw 6 identical circles on your paper
Draw 6 identical circles on your paper. Brainstorm about circles in your environment, and turn each circle into a different object.

14. Draw 6 horizontal rectangles on your paper
Draw 6 horizontal rectangles on your paper. Brainstorm about rectangles in your environment, and turn each rectangle into a different object.

15. Draw 6 vertical rectangles on your paper
Draw 6 vertical rectangles on your paper. Brainstorm about rectangles in your environment, and turn each rectangle into a different object.

16. Draw 4 large shapes, and shade them with a full value scale from black to white. You can choose to shade top to bottom or side-to-side.

17. Think of an object with an organic shape (body part, plant, animal, food, etc.). Draw this object on your paper using only geometric shapes to construct it.

18. Think of an object with a geometric shape (sign, building, etc. )
Think of an object with a geometric shape (sign, building, etc.). Draw this object on your paper using only organic shapes to construct it.

19. “Deconstruct” a person’s face by drawing it only with geometric shapes.

20. “Deconstruct” a human body by drawing it only with geometric shapes.

21. Create a unique radial-symmetry (snowflake) design, using only shapes.

22. Do your best to “invent” a new geometric shape
Do your best to “invent” a new geometric shape. Draw it, and give it a name.

23. Draw 15 objects that resemble ovals.

24. Create a personal company logo using only shapes (and colors, and letters).

25. “Draw” the numbers 0 – 10, using only shapes, and no lines.

26. Draw 4 large, different shapes on your paper
Draw 4 large, different shapes on your paper. Add details and decorations to turn these into fancy picture frames. Lastly, draw the images inside the frames.

27. Draw a 4-tier wedding or birthday cake from the side (stack horizontal rectangles). Decorate each tier of the cake with patterns made from shapes.

28. Draw 8 different shapes. Turn each shape into a 3-D object by adding a side, using perspective, shading, or another method.

29. Draw 6 different geometric shapes
Draw 6 different geometric shapes. Turn each shape into a fruit by adding fruit characteristics.

30. Draw 8 shapes (they do not have to be the same)
Draw 8 shapes (they do not have to be the same). Add a unique, descriptive texture to each shape – cracked, bumpy, hairy, melting, etc.

31. Draw a fish, bird, or other animal using only geometric shapes.

32. Re-imagine 5 common road signs, and draw them as organic shapes.

33. Draw a semi-circle in the middle of your paper
Draw a semi-circle in the middle of your paper. Now turn this into a drawing that tells an interesting story.

34. Draw a heart and a star somewhere on your paper (choose where, and how big). Now, enhance the drawing by adding more details, and tell a narrative story.

35. Draw 5 sports balls, reimagined as different shapes
Draw 5 sports balls, reimagined as different shapes. Draw the new-shaped balls, all with texture, shading, and details.

36. Draw 6 different shapes, and add decoration and details to turn them into Christmas tree ornaments. Don’t forget the hooks.

37. How to easily keep track of the slides you’ve used:
Copy and paste this checkmark onto each slide when you’re done with it, to ensure you don’t assign the same slide twice. Then simply view, from a distance (in the slide outline), the slides you’ve already used.

38. Interested in more 5-Minute “Elements of Art” slideshows?
Check out:
20 5-Minute Warmups about “Color”
20 5-Minute Warmups about “Line”
30 5-Minute Warmups about “Value”
25 5-Minute Warmups about “Texture”
32 5-Minute Warmups about “Space”