My 5th graders loved making these Japanese Notan-inspired ornaments. "Notan" is a Japanese word meaning "dark/light". It represents the design concept of arranging dark and light (2D) shapes together in a harmonious way. The Japanese Notan effect is easy to achieve with cut-paper. It tends to look more complicated than it really is, and students are fascinated with the finished … [Read more...]
Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos Projects
Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos) is right around the corner! Don't miss the opportunity to share this important cultural tradition with your students. Often misunderstood, this popular Mexican holiday honors ancestors and loved ones who have died, and is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. This family-centered holiday celebrates the cycle of … [Read more...]
African Masks with Scratch Art Paper
Scratch Art paper is available with either a white, colored, or foil background, which is revealed when the black top coating is scratched away with a wooden stick. While this technique is simple enough for Kinders to do, the most striking results are achieved by upper grade students who have the patience to make more detailed drawings and patterns. (The younger kids often … [Read more...]
African Kente Cloth Weaving
Kente cloth originated in Ghana as the fabric of royalty, but has become a colorful symbol of African culture, now loved and worn by many. Students in grades K and 1 will enjoy creating their own paper version of this colorful cloth!Materials:6"x12" black construction paper1"x6" strips of red, blue, yellow and green construction paper (3 or 4 of each color per student)Black … [Read more...]
Origami Lotus Book
Here's a fun project that both kids and adults really get excited about! The Lotus Book may look complicated, but its folds are actually very simple. Don't be intimidated by all the steps.... once you've made one you'll have it down. It's so much easier than it looks!Materials:Heavy-weight paper or card stock for pages (5 pieces, 8½” x 8½”)Heavy-weight paper or card stock … [Read more...]
Gung Hey Fat Choy! Chinese New Year Dragons
Chinese New Year is right around the corner! Monday, January 23, 2012 will mark the start of the "Year of the Dragon", year 4709 on the Chinese calendar, where each year is designated by one of 12 animals. I thought a dragon project would be fun for my first graders as we usher out the "Year of the Rabbit" and welcome in the "Year of the Dragon"! We're making our dragons in … [Read more...]
“Day of the Dead Prints” inspired by Jose Posada
We had a blast at my Teach Kids Art: "Day of the Dead" workshop yesterday! I added a new project this year, "Day of the Dead Prints" - inspired by Jose Posada. Jose Posada (1852-1913) was a prolific Mexican folk artist and political satirist from Aguascallientes in central Mexico. Posada began learning lithography (a form of printmaking using a metal plate) at age 16. … [Read more...]
Teacher Workshop: “Day of the Dead” Projects
The popular Mexican holiday, "Day of the Dead" is just around the corner! If you live on the California Central Coast, don't miss your chance to get some great project ideas at my teacher workshop, "Teach Kids Art: 'Day of the Dead' Projects".... this weekend only - Saturday, September 24th, 2011 from 9am-noon at Palace Art in Capitola. I'll be co-teaching this workshop once … [Read more...]
Houses for Haiti Lesson Plan
Two amazing teachers in Florida came up with a creative idea to raise money for Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. After discovering their "Haiti Houses" on the internet, I was inspired to try it for myself and make a few changes. Below is my version of this project. Objectives: Students will choose a worthy cause to support, such as supporting an orphanage or rebuilding … [Read more...]
Children’s Prayers for the World
I love this project that 2nd-grade teacher, Barbara Mendence, does with her students each year! Not only is this a fun art lesson, but it makes for a great geography lesson and culture study as well. Armed with a list that includes all the countries of the world, her class commits to praying for every country over the course of the year. As they work through their list each … [Read more...]