Monday, March 5, 2012

Blazing banyan tree - grade 4/5

This is a great lesson from the book Dynamic Art Projects for Children. When I googled it, I found quite a few teachers that had done it with their class. However, I kept seeing the same comment in the blogs and comments: this project took too long to complete and the kids lost interest, mainly because the tree was done with paints and had to dry. 

What is the solution to this? Draw your tree on black paper! When the tree is drawn lightly on black paper, it not only eliminates the step of painting, but it also puts more emphasis on creating something by focusing only on the negative space behind the trees. I had several students finish within the hour (and they were working on HUGE pieces of cardstock the size of their desk!) If you want to have most to all students finish within the hour, I would suggest cutting a piece of poster board into 4 pieces, and that should be the right size to get it done, while still being big enough to pack a punch.






I can post step by step instructions here if anyone is interested - it's just a bit of work to do if people don't need them! If you would like step by steps, please comment and let me know, and I'll make some up and post them asap!

14 comments:

  1. Would love to have a step by step. Thanks

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  2. I would also love step by step.

    Thanks

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    1. http://artisandesarts.blogspot.com/2012/03/blazing-banyan-tree-step-by-step.html < -- tutorial posted!

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  3. Me three… directions please! we've been really inspired here in our homeschool by your blog. Just found you a week ago & we've done the overlapping geometric shapes, this week we will try the Laura burch cats & overlapping names

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    1. Wow, thank you so much! What a great compliment!

      http://artisandesarts.blogspot.com/2012/03/blazing-banyan-tree-step-by-step.html < -- tutorial posted!

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  4. Me four!!! L-O-V-E it, and L-O-V-E your blog, I look forward to receiving it. You do an outstanding job, kudos to you!!!

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    1. You're too kind- THANK YOU!

      http://artisandesarts.blogspot.com/2012/03/blazing-banyan-tree-step-by-step.html < -- tutorial posted!

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  5. Im doing this project with my art class! I work in an urban setting and it will be with Third graders. I think they are going to love it! Thanks for the idea! I will let you know how it goes. - Laura

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    1. Sounds great! So curious to see how younger students do. Here's the tutorial! http://artisandesarts.blogspot.com/2012/03/blazing-banyan-tree-step-by-step.html

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  6. Hi. My name is Olivia, and I love art too!! I;d love it if you would follow my blog. Thanks!

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  7. Hi from New Zealand. I've been enjoying your blog over the last week and have pinned many ideas I'd like to use with my Year 5-8 class. Just wanted to say THANKS for sharing your work. It's fabulous!

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  8. Hello there! Thanks for sharing this lovely project and also for your incredibly useful step by step. I used it to help my class and it definitely make a huge impact on their results. Please feel free to check out our results (I've given you credit of course!)

    http://bricksandwood.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/banyan-trees.html

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  9. This is an excellent way for kids to do artwork activities. My son loves doing arts, and I am happy to support him. However, I wanted to give him something to encourage him more to stay interested in art. So, I searched online for a set of art supplies for kids, and it'll be delivered tomorrow. I hope he will like it.

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