3rd Grade- Animal Silhouettes!

This was a fun project that I originally saw on Pinterest and had to try! It combined shapes, texture, and pattern. However, this project took the kids FOREVER (like over a month) to finish because they were so meticulous about everything. But the kids loved it and the hard work and time payed off in the end.
We started by talking about patterns and textures. We talked about different animals that had different patterns and discussed why God could have made them that way. Then each student picked an animal to focus on. I had previously picked around 10 different animals and printed out black and white copies of their patterns for the students to use as references. The students used the photos to draw the animal pattern, covering their entire papers with it, then coloring with colored pencil. I encouraged them to color in a way that showed the texture of the animal as well. The last step of the project was to add the black silhouette of the animal on top of the drawing. I had made stencils of each animal and as the students finished with their patterns, they would come get the stencil from me and use it to make their silhouette on black construction paper. Check them out!

4th Grade Matisse Name Collages!

This was a great project to help practice geometric/organic shapes! Each student was given a large sheet of black construction paper. On the first day, we talked about geometric shapes and looked at paper collages by Matisse. The students then had to use scrap paper to cut up and glue down geometric shapes onto their paper.

The next class we did the same thing, now adding organic shapes to the paper. Last, students cut out their names with the scrap paper and glued them down. They turned out really colorful and abstract!

Biblical Integration: We discussed how Jesus got His name and how names were important.

1st Grade Cubism Self-Portraits!

The elements of art focus for this project was shapes. The first day we talked about and practiced geometric and organic shapes on the board and looked at some images of Picasso's portraits. The students pointed out geometric and organic shapes they could see in the images and we discussed how the facial features a funny and not correct. Each student then got a sheet of colored construction paper and used black crayon to draw their face shape, neck, and shirt. They then added their hair and colored everything in using crazy colors and patterns.

Next class the students each got 4 squares of construction paper, all in different colors. They used black crayon to draw a different geometric shape on each one, then they cut them out and glued them down to where they wanted them on the face. The last day, I showed the students how to draw eyes, noses, and mouths that faced different directions (like Cubism) and they chose how they wanted to draw each part. Once they had everything done, they could color in the parts and add details and patterns to the shapes as well. They turned out very Cubism-ish :) 

Kindergarten "Perfect Square" Reconstructions!

This was such a fun project to get the creative juices and imaginations flowing in Kindergarten! We focused on the Element of Art: Shape. I had the students name a shape that they know and I drew it on the board. We talked about how a shape is a line that touches at both ends. Then I gave them a worksheet to practice drawing and recognizing different shapes. On one side, they had to use a crayon to trace the shapes to practice what it feels like to draw them. On the other side, I gave them instructs on which color to use and what shape to color in with that color. They had to search through all of the shapes and look for the right one. It was great practice for counting too since they had to add up the number of each type of shape at the end.

Next, I read them the book Perfect Square. I love this book! The book is about a square that is torn, cut, ripped, etc. each day of the week and then reassembles itself into some new like a mountain, park, river, etc.

Biblical Integration: I used the concept from the book to teach the kids about how God makes us new (like the square is made new) when we accept Christ and His forgiveness for our sins. 

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

The next day, I handed out a white sheet of paper and gave each student a colored square of construction paper. Like in the book, the students had to deconstruct the square by tearing or cutting it and then reconstruct it into something new and gluing it down on the paper. The only rule was that they had to use the entire square. I gave them a black sharpie to add small details when they were finished. 

At the end of the project, I allowed the students to share with the class. They had to say "On Wednesday, my square was cut into pieces and was turned into ____________" It was so cute! They were so creative!