Bring winter learning to life with this Winter Polar Bear Art Lesson, a rich, cross-curricular polar bear art project designed for Grades 2–5. This resource blends directed drawing, painting techniques, winter landscapes, reading comprehension, writing activities, and art reflection into one cohesive lesson that is engaging, meaningful, and easy to teach.

Students create an expressive polar bear in a winter landscape, complete with mountains, snowflakes, blended skies, and textured fur. Along the way, they explore line, shape, color blending, texture, balance, and symbolism, while also learning about polar bears, Arctic habitats, and environmental awareness. This lesson works beautifully for classroom teachers, art teachers, homeschool families, and substitute plans, even if you don’t consider yourself “an art person.”

This is a print-and-teach winter art resource that keeps students focused, proud of their work, and deeply engaged after winter break.

WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS WINTER POLAR BEAR ART RESOURCE

This polar bear art lesson goes far beyond a simple craft. It provides structure, flexibility, and depth, making it ideal for January and winter units. Students feel successful because every step is clearly modeled, while teachers appreciate the built-in literacy, reflection, and assessment pieces.

Perfect for:

• Winter art lessons
• Arctic animal units
• Cross-curricular art + ELA integration
• Sub plans
• Homeschool winter studies
• Bulletin board or hallway displays

THIS RESOURCE INCLUDES (Non-Editable)

This 65-page Winter Polar Bear Art Lesson includes:

Planning & Teaching Tools

• Lesson overview and materials list (Page 5)
• Clear step-by-step teaching instructions (Pages 6–7)
• Critical thinking discussion questions (Pages 4–5)
• Participation strategies and lesson hooks
• Standards and curricular connections

Art Instruction Pages

• “About Polar Bears” informational reading (Page 8)
• How to Draw a Polar Bear – directed drawing page (Page 9)
• Full 18-step visual + written art tutorial: (POWERPOINT & PDF VERSIONS)
  
  • Winter landscape background (mountains, snowflakes, sky blending)
  • Polar bear drawing, painting, shading, and assembly
    (Pages 41–58)

• Finished artwork example (Page 40)
• Bulletin board display sign: Polar Bears – Winter Artworks (Page 11)

Creativity & Thinking Warm-Ups

• Draw & Design creative challenge page (Page 12)
• KWL chart for prior knowledge (Page 13)

Reading Comprehension

• Fiction story: The Polar Bear Cub and the Magic Scarf (Pages 14–15)
• Reading comprehension questions (Pages 16–17)
• Answer key (Page 18)
• Sight word tracking list with teacher instructions (Page 19)
• Tricky word vocabulary bank (Page 20)

Writing & Literacy Extensions

• Spelling word list (Page 21)
• Spelling test (Page 22)
• Opinion writing prompt: protecting Arctic habitats (Pages 23–24)
• Narrative write & draw prompt (Pages 25–26)

Reflection & Assessment

• Art message and meaning reflection (Page 27)
• “Top 3 Things” student reflection (Page 28)
• Compare & contrast: polar bear cub vs adult (Pages 29–30 + answer key)
• Feelings reflection page (Page 31)
• Multiple art reflection pages (Pages 32–33)
• 3 Stars & a Wish reflection (Page 34)
• Artist statement pages (Page 35)
• Art rubric for assessment (Page 10)

Elements & Principles Extensions

• Radial symmetry mandala: Balance (Page 36)
• Shapes & forms winter design (Page 37)
• Line and pattern exploration (Page 38)

HOW THIS RESOURCE CAN BE USED

• Stand-alone winter art lesson
• Arctic animals unit
• Cross-curricular art and literacy lesson
• January sub plans
• Homeschool winter art + ELA study
• Calm, focused art days after holidays