These folded paper stars are a hit year after year with my 4th graders. You can make these in any size you want.... the size of the squares you start with will determine the size of your finished stars. When I teach this lesson, I use 12" squares in two different colors to demonstrate the folding and gluing steps on the white board. Instead of glue, I used tape rolls with low … [Read more...]
Search Results for: symmetry
Cut Paper Symmetry “Pop-Out” Card
This is a fun card to make for any occasion... just vary the colors you use and the shapes you cut to suit the holiday or theme! The pop-out feature inside (see below) is an added bonus!Front of Card: 9” x 12” construction paper (this will form the “base” of your card)3” x 9” paper in a contrasting colorscissors and glue Fold the 9” x 12” paper in half horizontally, to form … [Read more...]
Butterfly Symmetry with Crayon Resist
Butterflies make the perfect subject for learning about symmetry and they're a great way to welcome the spring season. I love displaying them by putting a couple of staples through the body and pulling the wings out a little so they look like they're in flight! It's fun to let them "fly" off the bulletin board and onto the surrounding walls, or even right down the hall! … [Read more...]
TIP #74: How to Use Cross-Curricular Teaching with Art
Make learning a creative adventure for your students! By using cross-curricular teaching with art, you can enhance any subject area, deepen learning, and provide an engaging art experience for your students. What is “cross-curricular teaching”? Cross-curricular teaching is a creative approach to education. It goes beyond the boundaries of traditional subject “silos” … [Read more...]
TIP #63: 5 Drawing Exercises to Improve Hand-Eye Coordination for Kids
Hand-eye coordination (or eye-hand coordination) is vital to performing most of the everyday activities we often take for granted. It's so automatic that we don't even think about it when it's working as it should. What is hand-eye coordination? Hand-eye coordination is basically the ability of the hand(s) to perform a task or activity based on information received by the … [Read more...]
TIP #55: 3 Fun Drawing Warm Ups Kids Will Love
Drawing warm ups are a great way for kids to transition into art time from their other subjects or activities. This shift requires both a physical and mental adjustment in order for kids to move quickly to a new focus. What is a drawing warm up? A “drawing warm up” is a one or two minute exercise done at the very beginning of art class. Similar to “morning work” or a … [Read more...]
Chinese Brush Painting for Kids
Chinese Brush Painting dates back to 4000 BC, with techniques being handed down from master to student. In contrast to what most of us are taught about art today, copying and the perfection of technique were more important and more highly valued than self-expression. Chinese Brush Painting uses simple strokes of a paintbrush to capture a single object or an entire scene. Teach … [Read more...]
TIP #53: The One Word Project for Kids
The One Word project for kids originated from the book, “One Word That Will Change Your Life” by Jon Gordon, Jimmy Page, and Dan Britton, first published a decade ago. Since that time, this concept has inspired countless people of all ages around the world. What is the One Word project? The One Word project involves choosing a single word to simplify and focus your life … [Read more...]
TIP #51: How to “Magic Question” Your End-of-the-Year Student Art Show
Your end-of-the-year Student Art Show may seem like it's still a long way off. It can be tempting to put off thinking about it when you feel like you still have "plenty of time”. But ask any teacher… time flies the second half of the school year! You'll appreciate every task you've taken care of ahead of time as your end-of-the-year Art Show draws closer. This is … [Read more...]
No-Measure Mandala on Aluminum Foil
Exciting news!! I'm honored to be a contributor in Kathy Barbro's new book, Sharpie Art Workshop for Kids. Kathy writes the popular blog, Art Projects for Kids. It was Kathy's blog that first inspired me to start my own kids' art blog many years ago, so that makes this even more exciting for me! You can order Kathy's new book here. Sharpies have been a staple on my art … [Read more...]