Cutting Positive and Negative SYMMETRICAL SHAPES
Suitable for grades K-5: easy and fun
Materials: Paper squares, background paper, scissors, glue,
crayons, textures.
The learners will be able to:
Cut intricate symmetrical shapes on the fold (develop
fine motor skills).
Identify Positive and Negative shapes. Identify warm,
cool and neutral colors.
Rub a texture.
Glue shapes to create a pleasing design.
ART HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
MATISSE paper cuts AND/OR
Paper cuts of China and Poland (play music of the
country as children work).
FIRST WEEK
DEMO: Cut intricate design on the fold. Take a square of
paper, fold in half and show 2 ways to cut: short angular snips and a curved,
rhythmic line.
Jdentify Pos and Neg shapes. Tell students to save
both shapes. They'll need to cut 4 small squares (3" - 4", vary size)
and save all the pieces. There should be no scraps and the pos/neg shapes
should fit together like a puzzle.
SET UP
Squares of paper at each table: 2 tables with warm
colors, 2 with cool, 2 with neutral colors. I don't discuss color this week.
There are envelopes on the tables for saving pieces. Envelopes are placed in
table folders at the end of the period. Students &e always delighted with
the wondertul shapes they can cut.
SECOND WEEK
TLWBAT rub textures and glue neatly.
DEMO: Define and discuss textures and demo texture rubbing.
Arrange
and glue pos/neg shapes on the textured paper.
SET UP: Tables have a box of textures for rubbing (or
children can walk around the room for 10 minutes looking for textures to rub),
peeled fat crayons, 9x12 warm, cool and neutral colored papers relating to the
colors they cut the previous week.
Have students rub textures on a 9x12 (or 12x18) paper.
Limit the time. Have students take positive and negative shapes from the
envelopes and glue them in a pleasing pattern.
THIRD WEEK - Complete project. Discuss warm, cool and neutral colors.
Use color wheel and show examples of famous painting with warm, cool and
neutral colors.
ASSESSMENT
For younger children, I type labels that say - "I
can cut symmetrical shapes using WARM (or COOL or NEUTRAL) colors." I
place the labels in 3 pie tins on the supply table and the children have to
select the correct label for their collage.
The label is glued on their design.
The third week allows time for review and assessment.
Children can complete and share their work.
VARIATION: Cut symmetrical pos/neg shapes and save in an origami
folded cup. Have students use as a puzzle. They can exchange cups of shapes and
play with their partner's positive, negative shape puzzle.
VOCABULARY: Positive/Negative
Shapes/ Texture/ Symmetrical/ Warm/ Cool/ Neutral