Tissue Paper Hearts

This is a classic project you might remember doing when you were in grade school. 
Age Group: K-3

Supplies Needed:
* Tissue paper in varying colors, cut in about 2" x 2" squares.
(*Note* there is white tissue paper in the art supply room but you will need to provide the other colors yourself).
* Desired shape cut out in construction paper or card stock (I used hearts for this one.  You could use shamrocks in March, eggs in April, etc.)
* Glue
* Pencils

We talked about the color wheel: primary colors, warm and cool colors.  (You can check out a big color wheel poster from the school library for a great visual).  I showed them a few paintings from the library collection and we discussed how warm colors make you feel as compared to how cool colors.  Next, we decided that since we see a lot of red and pink around Valentine's Day, we would do our hearts in "warm colors."

To begin the project, take one small square of tissue paper, wrap it around the eraser side of a pencil, dip it the glue, and stick to the construction paper.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!  This project turns out so pretty, but it took longer than I thought.  My second graders worked for almost an hour to finish.

Fall Leaf Line Drawing

This was an easy project (in terms of supplies and messiness factor), and the finished project looks pretty neat.  The inspiration came from my favorite art blog again, Art Projects for Kids.  Her instructions are here.


First, I gathered a bunch of leaves from the backyard and brought them with me to the classroom so each student could examine one for inspiration.  As we looked at our individual leaves we talked about the colors,  and all the tiny details in the stems and veins that they might not have noticed before.  They were amazed at all the tiny details.

Next I passed out a white sheet of paper with a lightly drawn leaf on it.  I used the blog author's finished project as a template.  (You could draw your own leaf, try enlarging a leaf clip art, or click on my image below twice to enlarge it, copy and paste it to Word and print it from there).  It is fine if the drawing is very light.

Next, the kids used a medium point black Sharpie to outline the leaf and a fine point sharpie to outline the veins and stem.  (In the art supply room there is a box of both types of markers).  Then we talked about fine lines and patterns and a I drew a few examples on the white board.  They filled in each section of the leaf with a different pattern.

Can you tell which one is mine, and which one is my son's?  The kids enjoyed coming up with their own ideas for patterns.  When we were finished, some wanted to color in their leaf so we used warm colored pencils. 

This was an easy project that you could use for any age group.

Fall/Warm colors collage

I haven't actually tried this one myself, but I think it would be fun this time of year. 

This idea came from my favorite art idea website: Art Projects for Kids. 

The author has full instructions listed there.  (You would need to supply the tissue and wax paper for the class).  I would like to try tracing and cutting out a leaf design on the collage and then hang it from a window to let the light sine through the colors.  You could have a discussion with the class about warm colors and collage techniques.