Let's Create a Symmetrical Butterfly!

Hey, y'all!

Not sure how things are going in your art teacherin' world but here in middle Tennessee, many art teachers are on their last week of school. BUT this lesson here is for my teacher buddies who are going strong for another MONTH. I'm coming to you this week with a beautiful butterfly lesson...and some variations. So, got more art teacherin?! I got you!

Now, this is a TRIED AND TRUE lesson that I've done for many years with students of all ages. My favorite group to do this with is...kindergarten! They always rock this lesson! 

To finish the butterflies, we often used chalk in my art room...but today I thought I'd do a different spin and share this lesson with paint sticks. So here's a break down of the supplies used:

* 12" X 18" paper

* Black tempera paint (I'm using Prang's tempera)

* Paint sticks 

Short on time? Then you can do this on colorful construction paper! Stort on paper? Use a paper bag or a even a newspaper! I'm telling you, these look stunning any way you make them. Here's the video:

You could also do these on smaller paper, like 9" X 12" but I find it works better on larger paper, especially for younger students.

Now let's talk art supply alternatives. You could do this same method of warm and cool but with chalk! You can see how I did that in this second grade lesson here. 

We left the backgrounds blank on these...which I kinda loved because they reminded me of Andy Warhol.

I was doing a little on-my-blog searching and found a couple other butterfly projects...like this clay one!

This kindergarten clay project was always a hit...we did it many years in a row!

Speaking of kindergarten...

Look at these marvelous monarchs!

I love how they look even like this! Did I mention that this is KINDERGARTEN?!

By the way....last summer, my book Art Teacherin' 101 sold out! And it was the worst time for that to happen as it seems many folks buy it for summer reading/getting ready for the new school year. I'm happy to say that I now have plenty in stock (in boxes all over my house...yes, seriously) and I'm ready to send 'em your way! 

And let me throw this out there:

I can't tell you how many book clubs I've had the honor to join in on! If you do decide to form a book club and would like me to join y'all for one of your meetings, just let me know. We can make it happen. You can always reach out to me at cassieart75@gmail.com.

Okay, have a great week, friends!

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Line and Pattern Collaborative Painting!

Hey, friends! I'm coming to you today with a lesson that has been rolling around in my head for a while. I know this time of the school year, so many of us focus on LINES and I thought this painting project, that could serve as a school-wide collaborative, would be perfect!

Like my more recent lesson videos, I'm doing a little bit of a teacher-talk at the start of the video to walk you through the prep process. There isn't much but I do think it's important. 

By the way, for A TON MORE line lessons, check out this blog post!

Okay, let's dive in! 

For this lesson, you'll need:

* 9" square paper

* 9" square template if creating a collaborative mural

* Paint-filled bingo dauber, 1 per 1-2 students

* Tempera paint

OF COURSE you're gonna need a copy of my book, Larry the Line, right?!

I find that templates work great and just make one per table! Then the kids can add the tick marks so they know where to start and end their first lines. I think the mural would work best if those first lines were all the same. I decided to use a dark blue.

I've been using the Prang Tempera Paint and really loving how bold and bright the colors are. Looking for a crash course in using tempera paintin the art room? Check out my Top Ten Tips for Tempera Paint here!

If you do this lesson and post on social media, please be sure and tag me, I'd love to see what you and your artists create! Please do not rewrite this lesson and sell on TPT as your own...I hate to say that every post but, it happens!

Have a great week, friends!

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