Dia de los Muertos Art Project

Day-of-the-dead-art-project

One of the most popular celebrations in Central and South America is Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. It is a special day to remember loved ones who are no longer living. The art represented in the Day of the Dead celebrations are vibrant, energetic and colorful. It’s hard not to be [...]

Pin It

Interview with Nikki McClure

Nikki-McClure-Apple-art-lesson

While searching for a literature tie-in for my Apple Art Lesson, I found Nikki McClure’s exquisite book Apple. The story takes on you in a visual journey of the life cycle of an apple; from apple picking time to composting and re-birth. The children had fun anticipating what would become of the bright red apple. [...]

Pin It

Apple Art Project

Apple-Art-Project

If you are looking for an engaging book to pair up with an “apple” art project, Nikki McClure’s Apple is a lovely option. Crisp paper-cut illustrations pair with single word text engages children to fill in the storyline with their imaginations. I asked Nikki some questions and she graciously agreed to provide some answers. You [...]

Pin It

Starlight Pumpkin Art Lesson

Nightime-Pumpkin-Art-Project

These beautiful, glowing pumpkins have a lot going on: drawing from observations and sequence, primary color mixing, adding highlights, cutting and pasting skills and composition. I have a very strong group of Kinders this year and they did exceptionally well following this multi-step project.  Here’s what we did…. Using a black oil pastel and a [...]

Pin It

Birch Trees Art Lesson

birch tree

This is an easy art project that you can do with any aged child. Birch trees offer a dynamic contrast to many backgrounds. The opportunities are endless. I did a tissue paper background with my sixth graders in this multi-media birch tree collage and used watercolors for this Monet inspired birch tree art lesson. Artsonia has [...]

Pin It

Painted Pumpkin Art Project

pumpkin-dcg

Looking for a quick, theme-based October art lesson for Kinders? This adorable pumpkin art project teaches cutting and pasting skills as well as color mixing. Tina via Artsy_T Flickr fame created this lesson that has been enjoyed by many. This is my Kinder classes version… Drawing the Pumpkin Hand out a sheet of 12′ x 18″ [...]

Pin It

Ceramic Leaf Bowls

green leaf bowl

I’ve always wanted to try these leaf bowls but was never really sure how to do them.  Lori over at Fun Art for Kids provided the inspiration and the know-how. I ordered the Colorburst under-glaze as per her instructions, and I love the results. Definitely worth the bucks. You can find the Colorburst glaze here. Thanks Lori! [...]

Pin It

Ceramic Turkey Bowls

turkey

I search for as many clay project ideas as I can. For some reason, I need the security of knowing that another art teacher has tried the lesson and was actually successful. This is one such lesson. Pulled from the pages of Arts and Activities magazine, Donia Lilly rom VSA Arts of Nevada in Washoe [...]

Pin It

Sunset Silhouettes

silhouette-dcg

These stunning silhouettes were created by third grade students. I must admit, however, that although many of my students found this project fun, many found it  extremely challenging. I think a better age group would be fourth or fifth grade. If you have small classes, or if you are doing this project with small groups, [...]

Pin It

Watercolor Leaves Art Lesson

Watercolor leaves art lesson

Need a quick, easy lesson that can be completed in 30 minutes? These fall leaves are perfect. All you need are crayons or oil pastels and some liquid watercolor paints. If you have watercolor paper, great. If not use regular sulphite (construction) paper. I cut the paper in half so we’re only dealing with a [...]

Pin It

Sugar Skulls Art Lesson

day-of-dead

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a spectacular event. Not to be confused with Halloween, Dia de los Muertos is Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones on November 2nd. Traditions include decorating alters with sugar skulls and marigolds as well as food and pictures. The art itself is vibrant, detailed and [...]

3-Ingredient Art 1/2 Lesson Plans

3-Ingred-art-1-2

3-Ingredient Art is all about simplicity…making the most of what you have and not worrying about purchasing fancy or hard-to-find art supplies. The three lessons featured in my newest PDF are created using three basic products: paper, markers or pastels and paints. How simple is that? My most popular lessons for first and second grade [...]

Pin It

Day of the Dead Katrina Doll

Katrina-Day-of-the-Dead-project

Paper-bag “Katrina’s” ended our Dead of the Dead unit at Brandon School.These festive, vibrant sculptures were a blast to create. The fifth grade students worked hard taping paper bags and paper towel rolls together, adding paper plate hats and trying hard to find ingenious ways to make the arms stay together! After completing the armature, [...]

Pin It

Day of the Dead Art Project

day of the dead

The Dead of the Dead is a Mexican celebration honoring loved ones who have passed. This vibrant holiday calls the elaborately decorated skeletons, Catrinas. My second grade students loved creating their Day of the Dead Catrinas using paint and paper. Use a white oil pastel on black paper to draw the Catrina. We started with [...]

Dia de Los Muertos First Grade Sugar Skulls

Sugar-skulls-art-lesson

Latin American and Mexican cultures celebrate Dia de Los Muertos on November 1st and 2nd. It is a joyous occasion where loved ones who have passed on are honored and remembered. Fantastic art is created for this vibrant holiday and I just couldn’t help join in on the fun. I rarely create holiday based art lessons. [...]

Pin It