Sometimes children need a lesson free of instruction, standards and expectations. My third graders finished the final steps of their watercolor projects and instead of doing free-choice art time, I set out collage supplies. My directions were simple: create a holiday scene of your choice. I suggested houses, trees, snowmen…anything quick and easy. On the [...]

California doesn’t have many evergreen trees, but in November and December, our stores are flooded with these beautiful conifers. This is a great lesson in drawing shapes, practicing cutting skills and having some messy fun with paint… Kinders drew evergreen trees by using a black oil pastel and green 12″ x 18″ sulphite paper. We [...]