You can learn a lot about a culture from its art! When I visited Haiti, I learned that the Haitian people are both resilient and resourceful. Their resourcefulness is very evident in their art. One example of Haitian resourcefulness is the nature collage cards they make and sell. They gather local organic materials which they use to create simple scenes of everyday … [Read more...]
Rock Babies – A Creative Activity for Preschoolers
Get your littlest ones outside, looking closely at nature, and thinking creatively... and you might even brighten someone's day with the result! Our son, Adam, made these adorable "Rock Babies" (his name for them!) when he was a prescho0ler. He's in his 30's now, and I still have them! I keep them in a kitchen drawer that I get into daily, and they still put a smile on my … [Read more...]
Make an Upcycled Planter
Teach your students (or your kids) about important issues while making fun art and craft projects! "CIVICKIDS: Make Art. Make a Difference." was an initiative from the Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) in New York City. It consisted of a lively series of exhibitions, free community events throughout New York City, and a digital call for children’s artwork from all over … [Read more...]
Make a Leaf Collage
Now that summer’s here, how do you keep your kids learning, creating, and spending more time outdoors than in front of a screen? One way is with this inspiring little book, “Look What I Did with a Leaf!” by Morteza E. Sohi. This is not so much a read-aloud type of book that you would share with a roomful of students, but rather a book to enjoy at home with your kids, or for … [Read more...]
Recycled Assemblage Sculptures Inspired by Louise Nevelson
Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. Born in Russia, she emigrated with her family to the United States in 1905. Her unique artistic style was influenced by the cubist movement, co-founded by Pablo Picasso, and the found object sculptures of Marcel Duchamp. Calling herself “the original recycler”, Nevelson is most famous for … [Read more...]
Recycled Magazine Flowers
Here is another unique project that we used for Mother's Day cards, but would be fun to do anytime! My 5th graders had a blast making these (even the boys, who usually resist anything to do with flowers!) and it gave me the opportunity to review the concept of radial symmetry. I even had parents ask me how we did it so they could go home and make some recycled magazine flowers … [Read more...]
Gustav Klimt 3D Trees
Austrian painter, Gustav Klimt, was an important figure in the Art Nouveau movement at the turn of the 20th century. His "Tree of Life" painting inspired this project - a favorite with my 1st graders every spring. After all, when you combine 3D art, gold pipe cleaners and live, growing grass... how can you go wrong??! Materials: Gold pipe cleaners, 6 per student (or use … [Read more...]
