Froggie Art Project: Freebie

I want to start exposing my little firsties to different styles of art.  Pointillism seemed like a great place to start.  Pointillism is a style of art where small dots of color are applied in patterns to form a "whole" or image.  Basically, it's what we want to train their minds to do in reading.

It is also a style of art where the students can be introduced to color variation or blending in a very controlled way.  Additionally, all you need is paper, paints and Q-tips... no need for expensive brushes. 

There are so many great artists who can model this style.  Georges Seurat and Paul Signac are two good examples.

George Seurat

Paul Signac

There are also some wonderful children's books that can be read as an introduction to famous artists and art styles.  I love doing this because it helps the children see a variety of styles and helps the little ones let go of the "this isn't perfect" thinking.

After looking at some Pointillism  pictures and having the children discuss the layering and blending of colors, we began the project. 

I created a frog pattern that is ready to be copied onto card stock (heavier paper is better for this project).   Each child gets a small paper plate with with four "related" colors or shades.  I had greens, some yellows and some browns available.

As you can see it doesn't take more than a squirt or two of each color.  We talked about the "less is more" concept (not well understood by 1st graders) and the importance of being able to actually see the dots (as opposed to blobs or scribbles of paint).    Did I mention what great small motor skill practice this project provided? 

Ready to start dotting the image.

Layer 1 of paint

Multiple layers of paint dots

All layers completed and cut out

Frog completed, assembled, and with writing prompt.

I'll be posting this project on TpT but if you are a follower and would like a free copy of the file, patterns, and directions you can download the file here. 

If you download this, I'd really appreciate a short comment letting me know that you got it.  I'm never sure if people download my freebies.  

This file contains banners and writing prompts for :

Hoppin' into Spring
Hoppin' into the 100th day
Hoppin' into the School Year
Hoppin' into the New Year
Hoppin' into Summer

I have also included ideas for completing this project as a tissue paper mosaic or as a water color drop activity.

 

Butterfly Life Cycle Clip Art

We're beginning to think about spring science activities and coordinating reading passages.  Much to my distress, a lot of the life cycle clip art images are very "cartoon-ish".  Not what we had in mind.  So of course I decided to make what I needed.

Here's the Butterfly Life Cycle image set that I created today.  It perfectly meets my classroom needs.  If you are looking for some more realistic life cycle images you can find this in my TpT store.  

Click here to head over to my TpT store for this clip art set.

If you can use this clip art set, please leave a comment along with your email address and I'll give away a set by Wednesday night.

Turtles in Love Clip Art

Just posted a new Valentine set of clip art.  Turtles in Love  turned out to be really cute and a bigger bundle than I had expected.

If you'd like to win a copy, please leave a comment along with your email address and I'll select a winner on Sunday evening.

Have a great weekend.

Update:  Clip Art Winner

"Wintaka"... please check your email for the clip art file.  Thanks to everyone who left a comment.  It's greatly appreciated. 

Winter Hats Clip Art FREEBIE

Hope you all had a great winter break.  We actually got a little cold weather here in Tucson!  Our chilly temperatures inspired me to create some cozy and colorful Winter Hats.  I'd love to share them with you. 

Enjoy and have a great start to the second half of the school year... and oh yes, stay warm too.

Click on the image to head over to TpT for this freebie.

P.S.  If you like this little clip art packet, I'd love some feedback on TpT or here on my blog.  That positive  feedback goes such a long way :).