Paper Cut Flowers for Third Grade

This is a favorite art lesson of mine for spring time...paper cut flowers in a symmetrical vase. I typically do this lesson with my third grade students but the results would be fanatstic at any age.

Supplies:
Colored Paper (I used some leftover "Eric Carle" painted paper from earlier in the year)
White paper (this is 9" x 6" but a larger size would work equally as well)
Scissors & Glue

Instructions:
For ease of set-up, I set out pre-cut squares/rectangles of colored construction paper, a white background paper(although a black background is quite effective), scissors, extra paper and glue sticks.
Even though most of my students have made a symmetrical vase before, I demonstrate again because it remains a challenge. (Fold paper in half, hold the folded edge, cut vase shape).
After pasting on the vase, I instruct the kids to paste paper circles for the centers of their flowers. Because our paper size for this project was small, three centers seemed to make the best composition.


Next, demonstrate how to make different types of petals...heart shape, standard shape, abstract, etc. Leave it up to the kids to come up with clever ways to make petals!

Torn Paper Owls for Second Grade

These adorable owls were created by my second grade students. It appeared to be the perfect project for them. Each student determined which owl they wanted to draw: in-flight or sitting. Tearing the bits of paper proved easy for their nimble hands. I'm quite sure that this lesson would be suitable for either first or perhaps third, but any higher grade might find the project too simple.

Supplies

• 12" x 18" blue construction paper

• Scraps of browns, whites, grays and black paper for the owl

• Bits of green, orange or yellow paper for the eyes and beak

• Glue sticks and scissors

• Black, yellow and white oil pastel for drawing the outline

Step: 1 Drawing the Owl

On the white board, I show the students how to draw a simple owl. I tack a few pictures on the white board to give examples of sitting owls and in-flight owls (Picture books are good references).
After my demonstration, you can either do a directed line drawing with the students, or have them draw on their own (About five minutes). Have them draw in oil pastel and if they make a mistake, either turn the paper over if it is major or simply tell them that they'll be covering up most of the drawing with paper.
Add stars and a moon and color in deeply.

Step 2: Filling in the Owl with "Feathers"

Provide a variety of browns, grays and black paper either in a container on each table or from a central station in the art room. Show the kids how to tear the paper into long strips then into small squares. It helps to have a bunch of feathers before gluing.
Now, swipe the glue around a small area and fill with feathers. Work fast before the glue dries!
Fill in the entire face first. Yes, you will cover the eyes but the kids will remember where they are! Get ready for step 3...

Step 3: Adding the Beak and Eyes

This is the only time the children need scissors. Cut out large circles for the eyes and another smaller circle to go inside the eyes. I generally let them chose their own colors. I like the eyes that look like fried eggs!
Do the same for the beak.

Step 4: Filling in the Wings and Body

For best results, encourage the children to use different colors for the body and wings. If they are the same, they tend to blend in together. Show them how to do multiple colors for feathers, stripes, etc.

Tip: Most kids can finish this project in two forty minute lessons, but of course, some need much longer. Keep a tray of "feathers" for future classes so when time becomes available, the child can return to his project and finish.

Alternate Owl Drawing:

Matisse Inspired "Dancers" Paper Collage Art Lesson

This is one of my most favorite art lessons. Not only is it colorful, expressive and fun to make, but it teaches a variety of art skills: combining colors, composition, human form and the importance of working neatly. Inspired by the paintings by Henri Matisse, this has been a perennial favorite with my fifth and sixth grade students. Step One: Making the Background
Get out your box of scrap paper, because this is what you've been saving it for! I give 1 sheet of 12" x 18" white construction paper to each student. They are required to fill up the background with large blocks of color.
I encourage curvy lines, angles, etc. Whatever shapes and patterns the students like. It's important to keep the blocks of color large so when the dancer is added, it won't be "lost" in the confusion.

Step Two: Making the Dancer
Put the background aside and show the students how to cut out a human figure. If you have "forms" in your classroom, this is a great time to use them. I make a paper figure using black construction paper. I show the kids how to cut folded paper to create two arms, two legs, etc. with just one cut. I stress oval shapes over rectangular shapes, but you'll get those too!

Step Three: Gluing the Dancer to the Background
Sounds easy, but believe me, this step can get messy. Biggest tip here is to tell the kids to lay out their dancer first. Arrange the pieces so that they can get a feeling for how a static figure looks compared to a figure in motion. Once the student is satisfied, then she can glue down the pieces.
I use a glue stick for this. White school glue is a bad idea for this project. Trust me.
Step Four: Dressing Your Dancer
Can't leave the dancer naked, although I have had a few kids try. This part of the lesson is especially fun for the girls. It's like playing with cut-outs. I show the kids how to make swingy skirts, crazy hair, bandeau tops, etc. Remind the kids not to use red hair if the background is red. It always surprises me how most kids don't notice details like that.

Step Five: Adding Details
If there is time, I show the kids how details can really finish the picture off. Like the tiny confetti squares shown above. It gives the dancer a real "kick". This is where kids can either get really creative or start gluing large sheets of paper over their figure. Don't be shy in whisking the artwork off their desk and congratulating them on creating such an enthusiastic, expressive piece.

Abstract Paper Portraits

Here is a great twist on the Paper Self-Portraits I do with my third graders (full instructions here). Instead of using realistic colors, I encourage the kids to mix it up. It's hard for some kids to chose pink or green for a face color but once they get going, there is no stopping the creativity that follows!
I put out a container of buttons, but don't give any specific instructions for their use. I love seeing what they come up with.



For more detailed photo tutorials, templates and student handouts, check out Deep Space Sparkle's "Fun with Portraits" PDF booklet. Click HERE for more details.

Paper Self-Portraits for Third Grade

Paper portraits are yet another fun and easy way to create portraits for your students. Although this project is simple and fun, there are certain steps the children must do along with the teacher in order for the project to be successful. This project usually takes two 45 minute class periods, perhaps allowing some extra time on another day for the detailed-oriented children.
Supplies
Per student:
12 x 18 white paper
12 x 18 background paper (let the kids chose from a variety of colored backgrounds)
skin tone paper (1/2 sheet per portrait)
1 sheet paper for hair (size varies)
1 piece paper for shirt/shoulders
Variety of sequins, buttons, etc.
Tip: Use glue sticks instead of white glue for this project.
Steps:

1. I place one tray of tools (see sidebar) on each table. The tray contains scissors, markers, glue, etc.)
2. On the white paper, I instruct the students how to draw a simplified face. Starting with a large letter "U" in the middle of the paper, we draw the face. The draw two lines for the neck, ovals for eyes, hair and a mouth. Don't worry about a nose or any eye details. Add shoulders and a neckline. The kids should write "top" of shoulder section, "face" on head and "hair" on hair.
   
3. Have the children cut out the contour of their head and shoulders. Then, cut hair away from face and shoulders/top away from face. Each kid should have three sections: Hair, Face and Top.
4. With the skin colored paper, have the kids trace around their "face" template. With the hair colored paper, trace the "hair" template. And finally, with the top colored paper, trace the "top" template. Cut out.
   
5. Starting with the cut out top, glue it down on the background paper. Then glue the face, then the hair. It's important to do it in this order.
   This part usually takes about 45 minutes.
6. Throw away all template paper (white pieces) except for face. At this point, each child should have a face, hair and top glued down on their background paper.
7. Now its time for the details. Cut out the eyes and mouth from the white face template paper. Glue the white ovals onto face. The kids can color in the colored parts of their eyes and make a dot for the pupil.
   
8. Trace mouth onto colored paper and glue onto face.
9. Now let the kids chose buttons, sequins, etc for necklaces, shirt patterns and buttons. Let the kids decorate the background paper if they wish. I usually bring out my collage box that holds different pieces of tissue paper, printed paper, etc. for them to use as they see fit.

I think the portraits came out beautifully!




For more detailed photo tutorials, templates and student handouts, check out Deep Space Sparkle's "Fun with Portraits" PDF booklet. Click HERE for more details.