Sub Lesson: Tracing Shapes and Drawing Patterns

This is my number one sub lesson that I can leave in the "sub tub" for my emergency lesson or for my "I'm feeling lazy lesson". 

The directions are simple: Pick an object from the bucket and trace it at least 5 times on your paper. 

 (I have some simple plastic shapes: circles, triangles, squares... and I also have a bucket of more complex shapes like cookie cutters, cd's, and other random objects for the older kids.)

Once the student traces their object, they draw different patterns and designs in each shape with a pencil. Once they have filled the shapes, they color with crayons. 

Then, they design the background...or incorporate it into the design early on. 

This usually lasts the whole 60 minute class period, but I always leave some "extra time" activities just in case. 

"The Dot" Lesson on Paper Plates

Time to clean out the computer! I've been hoarding photos of student work that I need to get out there into the world...so prepare yourselves.

Here's a project I did with Kindergarten at the beginning of the year when we were learning about the Primary Colors and Kandinsky.

We read "The Dot" and created these concentric circles using oil pastels. Then we painted by mixing primary colors on the plates.

I encouraged them to stay inside the lines...but let's face it...we all know how that turns out. 

Other kids didn't want to mix the colors and were purists. 

Penguins in Antarctica

First we painted a cool color background with tempera paint. I encouraged them to create a pattern. 

I had two tables set up as the "snow stations"...once they had painting all the white space of their background, they could come add dots of snow with wooden sticks and white tempera paint. 

Day Two: Creating Penguins...we did a step-by-step process using construction paper. 

Group Project Option: I did a collaborative Antarctica collage with some other classes for our upcoming art show. This was really fun! Minecraft penguins were pretty popular with the boys.