2nd Grade Winter Cardinals

This is probably one of my favorite projects that I've ever taught. The kids were able to draw their cardinals really well and were very proud of them. I love when that happens! I got this idea from Art Projects for Kids (Kathy has many great winter projects if you need some ideas) but we watercolor painted ours instead of using pastel.

2nd Grade Snowflakes

I just couldn't do enough Winter projects this year! Especially with the younger grades. This was a quick and easy project. The students drew their snowflakes in white crayon....a little tricky on white paper, but they did okay for the most part. Then they had fun painting over the snowflakes with watercolor and seeing them appear like magic!

4th Grade Abstract Winter Trees

I ran into this wintery idea at Art Projects for Kids. My 4th graders loved it...they had a blast sprinkling salt onto the wet watercolor to get a snowy affect.

2nd Grade Scarecrows

I am so behind on posting...we actually did these back in September during the fall season. I found the idea on Deep Space Sparkle a couple of years ago and always wanted to try it. We finally got the chance and I'm so please with the results!

4th Grade Islamic Architecture

We create buildings patterned after Islamic architecture every year when the 4th graders study "The Spread of Islam" in world history. This year, I tried something different. We drew our buildings, complete with domes, pointed arches, and minarets as seen in Dome of the Rock and Taj Mahal. Then the students traced their lines with Elmers white glue, let it dry, and then filled in the spaced with pastels. They turned out beautiful!

4th Grade Stained Glass Windows

The windows in my classroom have been bright and colorful for the past few weeks thanks to the 4th graders who created these beautiful stained glass windows. I can't remember where I saw the idea, but we painted onto transparencies and then created the window by folding black construction paper in half to cut our designs. It was super easy and successful!

Sunflowers

Perfect end of the year project! I found the idea on Artsonia. We had been studying Van Gogh and we talked specifically about his painting/thick brushstroke style. As soon as the students heard that they would get to use spackle, they got really excited to begin the project! I love how they did their very best work! The only downside was that we didn't get to display them since it was the end of the year.

Pattern Name Towers

I needed something to keep my 7th graders busy for the last few days of school. I've done this with my younger students and thought it might be too easy for my middle schoolers, but they loved it! I can't remember which blog I found the idea on :( But the idea is for the letters to get smaller as they go farther up the paper and then fill them in with patterns. Coloring in the patterns is optional :)

Modigliani Portraits

I was hoping we would have enough time to squeeze this in before the end of the year. Ever since I saw the idea on Art Projects for Kids, I have been dying to try it! The kids loved it! I only wish it wasn't time to start taking down the artwork at my school...

They've Got the Whole World in Their Hands!

I am disappointed in myself! This is the only Earth Day project I had my students do this semester...I had such high hopes for projects for this holiday but things seem to move quickly this time of year. Just getting through each week will have to be achievement enough! The kindergarten class had a lot of fun doing this project. It turned out great...it was an easy project and the results are bright and fabulous!

Totem Poles

My many months of collecting paper towel tubes finally paid off!! I found these cute templates online, which were colored by the students and then wrapped around the tubes. Of course, feathers give a nice finishing touch to any art project!

Pattern Self-Portraits

I found this idea on Artsonia and just had to try it out! Students first learned facial proportions, next drew their self-portraits, and then added lots of fun and interesting patterns!

Ancient Chinese Scrolls

I found this idea on the fabulous blog Oodles of Art...and just as mentioned on that blog, this project took forever...but the results are worth it :)