TeachKidsArt

a resource for teachers & families

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Artist Birthdays
  • SHOP TPT
  • About
  • Contact
  • TIP Vault

K Portfolios – A Purple Crayon Adventure!

By Cheryl Trowbridge 7 Comments

Share
Pin
Tweet
Print

I’ve always loved books, so I love to start the school year off by reading an art-related story to each of my classes. My favorite “art story” for Kindergarten is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. This classic children’s tale was first published in 1955 and has been hugely popular ever since. It tells the story of a little boy named Harold who decides to go for a walk one evening, bringing only his purple crayon with him. Harold uses his purple crayon, and his imagination, to draw the scenery around him as his adventure unfolds. Children love the simplicity of this charming story and the idea that your imagination can take you anywhere!

This project uses just a marker and a purple crayon – no mess and easy clean up! If you’re like me and you’re looking for ways to simplify your life, here’s a fun “first day” lesson that can be done on portfolios or on regular, heavy-weight construction paper. Start by reading the story of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson and then follow these easy steps:

1. Using a black (“F”) Sharpie, draw your self-portrait vertically on your portfolio. (You may want to demonstrate drawing a large circle about 1/4th of the way down from the top, so that students don’t start their drawings too small.) Add lots of details! (We always do another self-portrait at the end of the year…. it’s fun to compare them and see the growth!)

2. Now use a purple crayon to draw pictures all around you of the things you want to learn about in Kindergarten…. letters, numbers, bugs, flowers, making friends…. anything you can think of! Don’t forget to draw a purple crayon in your hand!

Kindergarten art projects don’t get much easier than that!!
Share
Pin
Tweet
Print

You may also like...

Default ThumbnailK Portfolios – a Purple Crayon Adventure! Default ThumbnailGrade 2 Portfolios – “My Many Colored Days” Default Thumbnail6th Grade Portfolio Project – Follow Your Star! Default ThumbnailGrade 5 Portfolios – Collecting Words

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books, Crayon, Drawing, Lessons, Markers / Pen and Ink, People, Portfolios Tagged With: Crockett Johnson, Harold and the Purple Crayon

Comments

  1. Infant Bibliophile says

    at

    This was one of my favorite books as a child. Not only was it fun, but I can clearly remember being wowed by the concept that he could make anything happen that he wanted. Such a powerful message in a fun little book! What a great idea to let the kids draw their own version. My son hasn't taken to the book yet (he's not quite 3), but maybe if I gave him a doodle pad and a purple crayon, he'd change his mind. I am going to keep it in mind for when his drawing skills are a little more defined.

    Reply
  2. Sherry and Donna says

    at

    Hello I have just come by you blog and as a kindergarten teacher I think it's lovely. I haven't had a good look around yet but I've already picked up some inspiration! Thanks for sharing your great ideas.
    Donna :) :)

    Reply
  3. Phyl says

    at

    My big brother is named Harold, so I always loved that book as a child. I've never used it in the classroom – I don't know why not! I really like this idea.

    One thing to consider – I don't use Sharpie's with my K's due to the toxicity and permanence if not handled correctly. Does everyone else use Sharpies with the young kid?

    Reply
  4. TeachKidsArt says

    at

    Sharpies are actually non-toxic! (Look for the “AP” symbol on the barrel.) The ink easily comes off desks with a little rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, or can be erased fairly easily using a Magic Rub eraser. I tell my kinders that if they purposely draw on their skin or clothes, I will take their Sharpie and just give them crayons. I use Sharpies all the time with K's and it's never a problem!

    Reply
  5. barbara's thought of the day says

    at

    I've used sharpies with kinders as well, but tend to introduce them later in the year. We have a small budget and I really want to get as much mileage out of our supplies as possible. I let the older kids use them first. The little ones can be a tad rough on the brand new tips:(

    Reply
  6. TeachKidsArt says

    at

    That's very true, Barbara! I usually give the Kinders last year's Sharpies and reserve the new ones for the older kids. Same with the watercolor sets!! :)

    Reply
  7. Anne says

    at

    Yeah… I just made art portfolios 'your' way. Love how easy they folded… loved how the kids were so excited to decorate them. Thanks!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Never Miss a Post - Follow by Email

Find a ** FREE ** Lesson (Below):

  • Lessons Inspired by Famous Artists
    • Britto, Romero
    • Burch, Laurel
    • Calder, Alexander
    • Carle, Eric
    • Cezanne, Paul
    • Chagall, Marc
    • Chihuly, Dale
    • Dali, Salvadore
    • Da Vinci, Leonardo
    • Delaunay, Robert & Sonia
    • Escher, M.C.
    • Goldsworthy, Andy
    • Haring, Keith
    • Johns, Jasper
    • Kahlo, Frida
    • Kandinsky, Wassily
    • Klee, Paul
    • Klimt, Gustave
    • Matisse, Henri
    • Miro, Joan
    • Mondrian, Piet
    • Monet, Claude
    • O’Keeffe, Georgia
    • Old Masters
    • Picasso, Pablo
    • Pollock, Jackson
    • Pompon, Francois
    • Posada, Jose
    • Remington, Frederick
    • Renoir, Auguste
    • Seurat, Georges
    • Seuss, Dr.
    • Van Gogh, Vincent
    • Van Honthorst, Gerard
    • Wood, Grant
  • Lessons by Holiday
    • 100th Day of School
    • Chinese New Year
    • Christmas
    • Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos
    • Earth Day
    • Easter
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • International Dot Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • New Years
    • Other
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Lessons by Culture
    • Africa
    • America
    • Chile
    • China
    • Europe
    • Haiti
    • Japan
    • Mexico
    • Middle East
  • Lessons by Process
    • 3D / Sculpture
    • Bookmaking
    • Calligraphy
    • Collage
    • Drawing
    • Embossing
    • Folding
    • Lettering
    • Micrography
    • Mosaic
    • Origami
    • Painting
    • Paper Cutting
    • Paper Folding
    • Printmaking
    • Quilling
    • Recycling with Art
    • Sketching
    • Stitching / Embroidery
    • Weaving
  • Lessons by Medium
    • Acrylic
    • Clay
    • Colored Pencil
    • Crayon
    • Digital / Computer
    • Fabric / Fiber
    • Markers / Pen and Ink
    • Mixed Media
    • Oil Pastel
    • Paper
    • Pencil
    • Tempera
    • Watercolor
  • Lessons by Style
    • Abstract (Non-representational)
    • Abstract (Representational)
    • Cartoon
    • Cubism
    • Expressionism
    • Fantasy
    • Impressionism
    • Op Art
    • Orphism
    • Pointillism
    • Pop Art
    • Post Impressionism
    • Realism
    • Surrealism
  • Lessons by Subject
    • Abstract Design
    • Animals
    • Birds
    • Buildings
    • Butterflies
    • Cityscape
    • Color / Color Mixing
    • Creatures / Monsters
    • Cross
    • Faith
    • Elements of Art
    • Fish / Marine Life
    • Flowers
    • Greeting Cards
    • Hearts
    • Imagination
    • Landscape
    • Mandalas
    • Masks
    • Math with Art
    • Misc. Subjects
    • Names
    • Nature
    • Ocean / Seascapes
    • People
    • Portraits / Self-Portraits
    • Religion
    • Quilts
    • Scripture
    • Seasons
    • Sky
    • snow
    • Stars
    • Still Life
    • Trees
    • Words / Letters
  • … and More!
    • Bulletin Boards & Displays
    • Classroom Management
    • Elements of Art
    • Imagination
    • Inspiration
    • Middle School Art
    • News & Announcements
    • Philosophy
    • Portfolios
    • Product Reviews
    • Quotes & Stories
    • Supplies / Products
    • Teacher Workshops
    • Tips for Teaching Art

Follow me on
Teachers Pay Teachers

Support Teach Kids Art When you shop Amazon.com

TEACH KIDS ART IS AN AMAZON AFFILIATE. I earn a small commission when you visit Amazon.com by clicking through my site and make a purchase of any kind. This supports Teach Kids Art at no extra cost to you.

Click here to shop Amazon.com!

Related Posts

  • TIP #65: 12 Positive Affirmations for Creative Kids
  • Review the Elements of Art with a Beachball Scavenger Hunt
  • Make a Crazy Crown Craft
  • Use Art Postcards to Teach or Review
  • How to Have an Elements of Art Scavenger Hunt in a Painting

Copyright © 2023 Cheryl Trowbridge / Teach Kids Art · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Design by Laugh Eat Learn



We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT