Symmetrical Vase with Stamped Flowers Art Lesson

You'd think I could come up with a better name for this lesson but, there it is. I do this lesson with Kinders but it would work well with first through third. The interesting part of this lesson is creating the vase. Unless you give the right instruction, you'll have a class of very confused little ones.


Step 1: Making the Vase.
I hand out precut, preselected colors of paper and place them on each child's desk prior to them coming into class (don't want a huge ruckus out of who gets which color). The paper is generally 4" x 6" but you can make it bigger or smaller. I show the kids how to fold the paper in half (really doesn't matter which direction) and tell them to draw a line down the center of the paper. I encourage them to make the line curved, wiggly or with angles. Doesn't matter. Then, I show them how to cut down the line and when they open up the paper, Voila! A vase. Now, here's the thing. It doesn't matter how they cut the line, or where, whatever shape they end up with is fine.


Step 2: Gluing down the Vase.
Sounds easy but make certain they use a glue stick and not white Elmer's glue (far too messy) and show them where to paste their vase. It should be towards the bottom but not on the edge of the paper.

Step 3: Stamping the petals.
I put out trays of colors on flat plastic trays. Put a variety on each table. Here's where you, the art teacher, can influence the color selection. Put colors that go together then you'll be less likely to tell little Johnny that red and green together is too holiday or muddy. (Yes, we all blurt out these comments).
Next, I place a variety of petal shaped sponges on a tray and show the kids how to gently set the sponge in the paint and stamp onto their paper. It might be helpful to place a few brushes on the table and have the kids paint four or five "centers" so that it's easier to visualize where to stamp the petals.


Step 4: Take the painting away...
... before the kids go crazy. Stamping can get out of control real fast!


Step 5: Bask in the joy of 20 creatively satisfied kindergartens.