Colorwheel Scarecrows

Scarecrows can be an tricky. Like clowns, the image can sometimes frighten kids more than we realize. This lesson, however, mixes just the right amount of scary with happy.
To start the project, I demonstrate how to draw a scarecrow, focusing on the face first (draw a letter "u") then the hat. For variety, I show the kids at least three different ways to draw hats. Next we look at the arms and what the scarecrow will wear. Dresses, overalls, jeans are all good choices. Patches and buttons are discussed and then the background details.
The kids take 10 minutes and draw their scarecrow with a black oil pastel (no pencil!).
The next class we paint color wheel style. With only three colors to start with (red, yellow and blue) we paint something on our picture yellow, then red, then blue. After that, I ask the kids how to make other colors. They are quick to respond with instructions. We make orange, then paint something that color, mix purple then paint something that color, etc.
The final touch? Look closely at the eyes or on the overalls. The kids loved picking out their buttons!








The artwork shown here are from the second graders in Mrs. DeVore's and Mrs. Calene/Mrs. Spence's class at Brandon School.

Not so scary Scarecrows: Scarecrow Watercolor and Collage

This two-part lesson for first graders is one of my favorites. I love the collage aspect of this project. It requires at least three 40 minute classes or 2 one-hour classes.

Materials for Background)
12" x 18" watercolor paper
Palettes of liquid watercolors (blues, yellow, green, ornage and brown)
Oil Pastels (white, green and brown)

Materials for Scarecrow:
Colorful craft paper
Popsicle sticks
Assorted small buttons
Black marker
raffia or yellow paper for "straw"
pencil, scissors and glue stick


The first phase involves oil pastels and watercolor paint. I prefer to use liquid watercolor for this project, rather than watercolor pans, as the results are pure, not muddy. After looking at pictures of fields and farmland, the kids are instructed to draw a few lines in oil pastel. We start with the horizon line, add a few vertical lines for the fields and wavy, horizontal lines to break the large fields up. The kids use a white oil pastel to draw the sun.


The students paint the sky blue and watch the clouds appear like magic. Green, orange, brown and yellow watercolors are used to paint their fields.


An easy way to make the scarecrow is to use templates. They're easy to make and reduce the level of frustration most kids get when trying to cut out a perfect pair of pants. I cut out simple shirts, heads and pants from cardstock. We add patches, buttons and raffia to our scarecrow and give him a big smile.
Making and assembling the scarecrow takes a little time but one time savor is to help the children tape (instead of gluing) their scarecrow to their Popsicle sticks. Of course, many children will glue it themsleves, but if you have extra adults in the class, put them to work!


(From Mrs. Ranson's 1st grade class at Foothill School: L-R Katie (top) Fiona, Karina, Lauren, and Julian)