Alexander Calder Teaching Resources and Lesson Plans

I find it hard to look at a sculpture by Alexander Calder without smiling. They’re just huge and weird and fun. Almost other-worldly.

Calder’s Eagle (1971) photographed by Steven Pavlov CC BY-SA 3.0

I mean?

This project offers parents, teachers, and caretakers the delightful reminder that above all else, art should be fun! This engaging art unit for kids ages 4-8 illustrates how American artist Alexander Calder (best known for his large-scale mobiles and stabiles) used simple colors, lines, and shapes to make super whimsical, gigantic sculptures!

These Alexander Calder teaching resources and lesson plans:

expose kids to several of Calder’s kid-friendly artworks,
explore how many of his sculptures contain kinetic (moving) parts, and
help you, as a facilitator, feel confident about exactly how to connect all this to a hands-on art project (in this one, we create a paper stabile and a paper mobile)

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive overview of our art unit. You’ll also find a treasure trove of supplemental resources that’ll have you feeling like a Calder expert in no time!

Famous Artist Facts

15 Fun Facts about Alexander Calder for Kids

Alexander Calder was born on July 22, 1898.
Calder died on November 11, 1976.
Calder was a sculptor.
Calder’s best known works are his mobiles, which are moving art.
Unlike many artists, Calder preferred not to analyze his own work.
Calder was an American artist, born in Pennsylvania.
Instead of art training, Calder studied to be a mechanical engineer.
Calder received a degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1919.
Calder came from a family of artists and sculptors.
Calder’s first solo exhibition was in 1927 in Paris.
Calder loved the circus, and created a piece titled Cirque Calder which he would present in performances.
Another of Calder’s works is the massive Floating Clouds which is installed on the ceiling of an auditorium.
Calder was honored by the US Postal Service with a set of five stamps in 1998.
Calder has works that are still displayed in public places around the world, including JFK airport.
Calder met and was inspired by Piet Mondrian.

Additional Facts About Alexander Calder

For more information about Alexander Calder, visit the following pages:

Alexander Calder Website

Alexander Calder Biography

Alexander Calder Facts for Kids

Books About Alexander Calder and His Works

These picture books and nonfiction books are fantastic supplemental resources for introducing Alexander Calder and his uses of mobiles.

Wind Chimes and Whirligigs by Renee Schwarz

Made with recycled and easy-to-find materials, these fantastic wind chimes and whirligigs will blow kids away! {Full book details here.}

Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles by Jean Lipman

In 95 illustrations Calder’s mobiles are presented not just as studies of motion, but as vehicles for the artist’s great playfulness and humor. {Full book details here.}

One & Other Numbers with Alexander Calder by Alexander Calder

One & Other Numbers accompanies artworks with a conversational and relatable text that encourages readers to notice and count various aspects of the sculptures. {Full book details here.}

Alexander Calder: Meet the Artist by Patricia Geis

Calder’s whimsical world is brought to life by imaginative pop-ups, pull tabs, lift-the-flaps, and cutouts. {Full book details here.}

Sandy’s Circus: A Story About Alexander Calder by Tanya Lee Stone

This is the story of Alexander “Sandy” Calder’s Circus, which is on permanent display at the Whitney Museum in New York City. {Full book details here.}

Alexander Calder (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia

An examination of the life and work of the twentieth-century artist Alexander Calder, famous for creating the moving sculptures known as mobiles. {Full book details here.}

Learn More About Alexander Calder with these YouTube Videos

Calder and the Circus by Tate Kids

Jump into the wonderful world of Alexander Calder. Fly with the acrobats and get lost in color. {See it on YouTube.}

Alexander “Sandy” Calder – STORYTIME! by HiGASFY Productions

Alexander Calder is considered one of the greatest modern artists of this age. His “mobile” of moving small and large intricate pieces and “stabile” creations made him famous. {See it on YouTube.}

Alexander Calder by Art with Mrs. Maloney

This video is a brief introduction to the Sculpture Artist Alexander Calder. {See it on YouTube.}

Alexander Calder Teaching Resources and Complete Unit for K-2 Art Students

In this unit from Kids Art Projects 101’s Famous Artist Series, you’ll engage young artists in a project-based study of Alexander Calder. First, you’ll present a thoughtfully curated selection of artworks and details about the artist. Then, you’ll navigate through a hands-on studio project (a paper mobile), and finally, you’ll wrap things up with a reflection, in-class art show, and self-assessment.

Inside the unit you’ll find a 27-page unit guide full of information and tips for teaching this series of art lessons to students in preschool through grade 2.

The unit contains four thoughtfully planned out 40-minute sessions.

For each session, a guided presentation has already been prepared! Just open it up in Google Slides or PowerPoint and go! It’s a really easy setup. The presentation seamlessly navigates you and your kiddos through the instructional content, the studio project, and follow-up activities.

The 100-page combined PDF and Google Slides full resource includes:

An original digital storybook designed to expose students to famous artworks and details about Alexander Calder
A sculpture practice exercise
A compare & contrast activity
A step-by-step studio project guide with clear directions, supply lists, and work sample photos
Two pages of printable stencils
Some quick fun facts
A digital lesson review
An art show prompt with guided questions
A printable self-assessment
Early finisher coloring page and sing-along suggestions
Blank slide templates

Don’t let the number of pages intimidate you! This document is just jam-packed with relevant usable resources. Check out these printables:

Alexander Calder Unit Teaching Tips Video

Even though the Famous Artists units are open-and-go by design, I’ve also created video tutorials for anyone who wants to unpack the components with me before diving in. In each video, I share helpful tips I’ve learned through experience in my own elementary art classroom. These are currently available only to members of the Kids Art Projects 101 program. Learn more about becoming a member here.

Free Printable Alexander Calder Famous Artist Quote Poster

I’m sharing a free printable quote poster to go with each of the famous artist units. Use these to connect art and literacy! Let them inspire discussions about the meaning or significance of each artist’s quote.

Print and display a color version of the quote poster as art space décor throughout the year or add it to a student work bulletin board. Use the black and white version as an early finisher coloring page option. Both versions are yours to enjoy!