Young kids spend so much time learning and focusing on how letters are formed and put together to make meaning.
Because of this, they are quick to appreciate the awesomeness that is a Robert Indiana “Love” sculpture!
A sculpture made out of gigantic letters? WHAT!
This project presents one of many approaches we as parents, teachers, and caretakers can use to reinforce the idea that creativity can emerge in all kinds of unexpected ways – even with letters of the alphabet! Cross-curricular win-win!
This super loveable art unit for kids ages 4-8 illustrates how American artist Robert Indiana (best known for his “Love” sculptures) turned words into art. These Robert Indiana teaching resources and lesson plans expose kids to several of Indiana’s kid-friendly artworks, introduce the art of typography and text in art, and help you, as facilitator, feel confident about exactly how to connect all this to a super fun, hands-on, sculptural project.
Tie it in with Valentine’s Day, Kindness Month, or just let this awesome unit stand on it’s own! It can easily do that, too.
Below, you’ll find a detailed overview of our art unit. You’ll also find a generous collection of supplemental resources that’ll have you feeling like an absolute expert on all things Indiana-related in no time!
Famous Artist Facts
15 Fun Facts about Robert Indiana for Kids
- Robert Indiana’s birth name was Robert Clark.
- He was born in New Castle, Indiana.
- He was born on September 13, 1928.
- Indiana graduated as valedictorian of his class at Arsenal Technical High School.
- Indiana served three years in the United States Army Air Forces.
- He also studied at Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College of Art.
- Indiana’s work often consisted of bold, simple, iconic images, especially numbers and short words.
- Indiana’s best-known image is the word Love in upper-case letters, arranged in a square with a tilted letter “O”.
- The first silk screen of “Love” was printed as part of an exhibition poster for Stable Gallery in 1966.
- For Valentine’s Day 2011, Indiana created a similar variation on LOVE for Google, to be displayed on their search page.
- In 2013, the Whitney Museum of American Art mounted a retrospective of his work entitled “Robert Indiana: Beyond LOVE”.
- Today, Indiana’s works are in the permanent collections of numerous museums, including the Museum of Modern Art.
- In May 2011, a 12-foot LOVE sculpture sold for $4.1 million.
- In 2008, Indiana created an image similar to his iconic LOVE, but with the word “HOPE”, and donated all proceeds from the sale of reproductions to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
- He died on May 19, 2018.
Additional Facts About Robert Indiana
For more information about Robert Indiana, visit the following pages.
Picture Books to go Along with Robert Indiana Art Projects
In the Robert Indiana Unit from Kids Art Projects 101 we learn about typography and word sculpture. These picture books can be used as a way to introduce the topic.
I Am Love by Susan Verde
Grounded in mindfulness and wellness, I Am Love asks readers to look inward when they feel afraid, angry, hurt, or sad. {Full book details here.}
Love by Matt de la Peña
In this heartfelt celebration of love, Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña and bestselling illustrator Loren Long depict the many ways we experience this universal bond. {Full book details here.}
Calligraphy for Kids by Eleanor Winters
Attractive pages, filled with brightly colored examples, get kids started with simple zigzags and then move on to small and large italics, gothic lettering, uncial, and Roman calligraphy. {Full book details here.}
Luna Finds Love Everywhere by Shainna Ali
With simple prompts and activities scattered throughout the story, children will be able to explore the principles of self-love into their own lives. Kids will have a blast learning along with Luna as they discover the importance of loving each other and oneself! {Full book details here.}
Robert Indiana Book
The following book is specifically related to Robert Indiana and can supplement the facts and information provided in the digital presentation that is part of the Robert Indiana Art Unit from Kids Art Projects 101.
Robert Indiana: A Sculpture Retrospective by Joe Lin-Hill
Including various examples of his career-defining Love sculpture, one of the 20th century’s most iconic works of art, Robert Indiana: A Sculpture Retrospective offers a thorough reassessment of the artist’s work in sculpture, from his earliest assemblages of the 1950s to his most recent series of painted bronzes. {Full book details here.}
Learn More About Robert Indiana with these YouTube Videos
Robert Indiana- Art with Words! by Ms. Ciccotelli
Students will look into the life and the artwork of the artist Robert Indiana. They will then create an outline of a 4 letter word that describes them. {See it on YouTube.}
Robert Indiana talks about his art and life, with images of his art in the background. {See it on YouTube.}
Robert Indiana: A Legacy of Love honors the life and art of the late Pop icon and his resounding legacy. {See it on YouTube.}
Robert Indiana Teaching Resources and Complete Unit for K-2 Art Students
The Indiana Unit is a project-based study of Robert Indiana that introduces young kids to the art of typography as they create their own Indiana-inspired word sculptures with craft sticks and Model Magic®.
Inside the unit you’ll find a 28-page unit guide full of information and tips for teaching this series of art lessons to students in preschool through grade 2.
The unit is broken down into four thoughtfully planned out 40-minute sessions.
For each session there is a guided presentation that has already been prepared for you and can be used via Google Slides or PowerPoint. It’s a really easy setup! The presentation also introduces and guides you and your kiddos through completion of a studio project and follow-up activity. The studio project involves counting and gluing popsicle sticks, painting watercolor onto wood, and pinching, pulling, rolling, and shaping with Crayola Model Magic®. Super fun!
The 93-page combined PDF and Google Slides full resource includes:
- An original digital storybook designed to expose students to famous artworks and details about Robert Indiana
- A typography activity (two variations included)
- A step-by-step studio project guide with clear directions, supply lists, and work sample photos
- Two quick fun facts
- A digital lesson review
- An art show prompt with guided questions
- A printable self-assessment
- Early finisher suggestions
- Blank slide templates
Don’t be scared by the number of pages! This document is just jam-packed with relevant usable resources. Check out these printables:
Robert Indiana Unit Teaching Tips Video
The Famous Artists units are designed to be open-and-go, but if you are the kind of teacher who likes to dig a little deeper, we’ve also created video tutorials for each of the units. In each video I share helpful tips that I’ve learned along the way as I use these units 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 Robert Indiana Famous Artist Quote Poster
I’m sharing a free printable quote poster to go with each of the famous artist units. These can be used as a way to connect art and literacy and inspire discussions about the meaning or significance of each artist’s quote.
The free printable includes a color option that can be placed on display in the art room as décor throughout the year or added to a student work showcase bulletin board.
There is also a black and white version that kids can use as an optional coloring page.
Get the Free Printable Robert Indiana Quote Poster
Are you a Kids Art Projects 101 member? Download your printable quote poster here.
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