I like to teach art projects that give the students a sense of pride and appreciation for other cultures. So far this year, students have learned about the Mexican holiday "DAY OF THE DEAD" and the Asian celebration "CHINESE NEW YEAR". I think my favorite project (as well as the kid's), are the "JUNGLE ANIMALS" of Africa. Fifth graders painted a jungle mural and students from several different grade levels created animals to go into this painted scene. They had a lot of fun. I even placed part of the mural on my classroom door.
Second graders "framed" the mural with a KENTE CLOTH weaving. The Kente cloth is a vibrant fabric worn in Africa. This fabric is bright, colorful and symbolizes the many celebrations of life.
Second graders "framed" the mural with a KENTE CLOTH weaving. The Kente cloth is a vibrant fabric worn in Africa. This fabric is bright, colorful and symbolizes the many celebrations of life.
To include Common Core Standards with our unit on Africa, lower grade levels viewed a video reading of the book, "GIRAFFES CAN'T DANCE".
Students then painted a moonlit jungle (like the one in the book), and drew/cut out of paper a dancing yellow giraffe.
The final touches to the project were added with oil pastel. Students drew onto the painted jungle their plant life and other jungle surroundings.
First graders made "peeping" lion faces to watch the Giraffes dance. SOOO CUTE!
Students then painted a moonlit jungle (like the one in the book), and drew/cut out of paper a dancing yellow giraffe.
The final touches to the project were added with oil pastel. Students drew onto the painted jungle their plant life and other jungle surroundings.
First graders made "peeping" lion faces to watch the Giraffes dance. SOOO CUTE!