Paper Craft

 

We learned about the Day of the Dead and its traditions and culture significance. We created Papel Picados. This is hung during the Day of the Dead to celebrate the lives of those who passed. We learned what each color represents. Then we created our banner. First, we practiced drawing our designs on paper once we finished we learned how to fold our tissue paper into six parts with five creases. On each crease we drew our design but only half because when you open the crease it will be a mirror on the other side. 

An extension I would do would connect to social studies. Student would learn about customs and celebrations from around the world and create and art piece on one of them that they would share with the class. 

Pastel Northen Lights

 This activity is creating the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights using oil pastels. We learned about different techniques for using oil pastels, to learn how to blend them. Blending with fingers, oil and using light vs hard pressure. We each got a piece of black construction to start creating our Northern Lights background. We used any colors we wanted. Brighter more vibrant colors worked the best. We drew the curvy lines with our fingers and blended them using the techniques we learned. Once we finished our sky we cut out our mountains and glued them onto our paper. I added snow to the tops of my mountains.

An extension I would do would involve a science experiment we will explore how the Northern Lights form by simulating Earth’s magnetic field. We will place a magnet under a sheet of paper and gently sprinkle iron filings on top. As we tap the paper the filings will align with the invisible magnetic field lines just like the way Earth’s magnetic field guides charged particles from the sun. Then we will shine a flashlight representing the solar wind toward the filings to show how these particles travel and interact with the field. By adding colored cellophane over the flashlight we can simulate the glowing lights that appear when the particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere near the North and South Poles. This hands-on activity will help us understand the science behind the beautiful aurora we see in the night sky.

Claude Monet

For this Monet activity we learned about his famous Water Lilies. We painted our water background with watercolors, and then we sprinkled salt on the wet paint. Once we were done painting, we set it a side to dry. Then we began to make our flower and lily pad. We used green construction paper and different shapes of green crayons/markers. We drew the outline of our flower on white paper and cut it out, then used a pencil to curl the petals. Then we made the middle of the flower using pink paper and cutting and then rolling up the strip of paper. Then we glued it into the middle of the write flower and then on to the lily pad. Once our background dried, we glued the lily pad on the paper.

Extension activity: I would have students write a story about their artwork. This would tie into language arts nicely.  

 

Frank Lloyd Wright Stained Glass

 We began with a blank sheet of paper, dividing it into four sections to come up with design ideas. After experimenting in each section, we selected our favorite design. Using a new sheet of white paper, we redrew that design at full size. Then, we placed a clear sheet over the full-size drawing and carefully traced the lines using a black Sharpie. Once the outlines were complete, we chose three colored Sharpies to fill in the shapes, creating a vibrant stained glass effect that brought our artwork to life.

For an extension I would have students create a model of a building or house that incorporated stained class. This would tie into an engineering standard. 

Van Gogh Starry Night

For this mixed media activity, we used a mix of construction paper and tissue paper. We chose a background paper in any color and black construction paper that was later used for the landscape element of this project. 
We used a mix of glue or media on paint brushes to apply the tissue paper to the construction paper. 
 Using the whole sheet of construction paper, we covered it in strips of tissue paper cover the paper. Creating a colorful and fluid sky. After we were finished applying the tissue paper, we drew our landscape on to the black construction paper adding details with pastels. Then we cut them out and glued them on to the sky we created. 

Extension: Students will write a post card to a classmate using the landscape the created as the location they are writing from. It will include “Today I saw “The sky looked like…“I felt…”“I can hear/see/smell…”. They will share in small groups. 

 

Flower print making

 

We began by learning about the artwork of Andy Warhol. Then, each of us received two small blank sheets to create two unique flower designs. After completing our drawings, we traced them onto foam sheets and chose two colors for printing. Next, we exchanged our designs with a classmate, so everyone ended up with four different flower prints. Finally, we glued the prints onto a piece of construction paper and labeled our names to complete the project.

For and extension I would incorporate it into a science lesson where students could grow a flower in a cup. Once their flower has bloomed, they will draw it and create a print of their flower. 

Henri Matisse

 

We started by learning different watercolor techniques. After we practiced and figured out which techniques we were going to use on our paintings we got watercolor paper. We drew our picture before we painted. This included a table, flower vase, walls and floor. We then painted each section using the different techniques we learned.

Extension: Students will use what they have learned about watercolor to create a piece celebrating Henri Matisse. Students will create a vibrant Matisse Inspired Shape Garden by combining painting and collage techniques. First, they will paint sheets of paper using bold, bright colors, focusing on expressive brushstrokes rather than specific shapes. Once the painted paper dries, students will cut out a variety of organic shapes like leaves, flowers, and vines, mimicking the abstract style of Henri Matisse’s famous cutouts. They will then arrange and glue their shapes onto a large background paper to form a colorful garden scene. This activity allows students to explore color, shape, and composition while connecting with Matisse’s playful and imaginative art style.