I think it is a good idea to introduce still life at a young age. Here is a fun still life created by a student.

Students could work to create observations of dragons.

I found these drawings and figure that the students were observing photos of actual gargoyles. I wonder if the students are to learn shading and cross-hatching through this project. I would say that 5th graders could do this project, but it might be good for 6-7 as well. Could be a cool way to get some architecture into the curriculum.

Using Florescent paint students can create a self-portrait in the style of Cubism!

Matisse can be a a fun artist for students to discover. He uses such bright colors and is great at painting his surroundings. I did not create this lesson, but I assume that it was based on Matisse. I also assume that the teacher taught the students how light is cast to create shadows. I notice that the plants in both of the vases are created using printmaking and I wonder if the students created eraser stamps for their prints. The grapes, vases, coffee cups, and such are all cut out of paper, so I wonder if the teacher discussed Matisse's collage phase as well. The texture created by crayon rubbings suggests a look of different paper as well.  Check out Matisse making a cut out here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN0okOq8Hyc   Matisse vase painting here  http://www.henri-matisse.net/paintings/bac.html

Here is another example of a wild mask that I found in a pile of old projects. It looks like it was created from a brown paper sack, crayon, and tempera paint.