2nd Grd- Laurel Burch Cats

This project was one i picked up from my students teaching teacher and then i have seen many versions of it around the web.  But my second graders did a great job on this projects!  We started by viewing a short power point on Laurel Burch to make them familiar with the artist and her life.  They then got to work.  Each traced a pre-made Cat template and then drew in their cats face and tail details.  Then followed mixing their own tins and painting the whole cat.  then next day they added pattern details with construction paper crayons, and if they did a nice job and finished on time they were able to add smaller details with glitter glue.  Finishing by cutting out their cats and having their own Laurel Birch inspired feline.

The lesson over all took about 3 40 minute classes:
Day 1- Ppt and tracing
Day 2- Painting with tints
Day 3- Cutting out cat and adding crayon details and patterns with glitter glue 

My sample Cat :

 Second graders results:

Boards and Decor

After a few weeks i began to truly figure out what i wanted my room to look like, i love colors and wanted it to be a bright and fun place for the kids to come into and then being in Florida it feels like summer year round so a bug or bee theme seemed to fit the mood. I mainly tried to put up things that would be helpful for the kids and friendly reminders, like the rules, color wheels and then the Art No No's board
The no no board is more of a fun thing than anything else for the kids.  Never do i intend to limit their creativity but i want it to be simple reminders for them to take their time and put care into their work, if they simply scribble and rush through free draw time or their projects they will never reach their highest potential, but if someone draws an amazingly detailed sun with a face, i would never call that a no no in art.