Spiral Christmas Tree Ornaments

Matisse Inspired Christmas Tree Ornaments

Medium: Paper, Scissors

Reason For Lesson: To learn about Henri Matisse and how he used scissors as a tool for creating artwork. Also for creating ornaments to be hung in the Winter Extravaganza.

Elements of art: Paper, collage, form, color, pattern

Preparation prior to lesson: gather supplies, photocopy spiral onto green cardstock, photocopy star template onto yellow cardstock

Materials: Green construction paper with spiral, yellow stars, Q-tips, tempura paint, glue sticks, scissors

Instructions to teach art lesson:

Introduce the lesson and let the Children know they will be learning about Henri Matisse and also creating ornaments to be hung in the Winter Extravaganza. Remind the students to do their very best work

2.       

Introduce Henri Matisse. Give a brief bio and try to relate his life in some way to the kids (keep this lesson time brief, take no more than 5-10 minutes for the Artist lesson)

Show examples of Henri Matisse’s artwork and have the students discuss what makes Matisse’s artwork unique. Talk about what the artist is trying to convey with his art. 

What feelings are evoked?

Have the students discover different repeating patterns in Matisse’s artwork. Have them look for all the different variations of pattern. What colors, themes, medium does he use? 

What feeling  does the repeating pattern create in the artwork? 

Be sure to point out that Matisse “Painted with Scissors”. He used collage and patterned paper in much of his later artwork.

 Point out that Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) was influenced by Matisse. You may wish to show some of Eric Carle’s books to show how he was influenced.

Eric Carle (1929) was influenced by Matisse.  How do you take what you like from your friends and make it your own?

Let the kids know they have the opportunity to "paint with scissors" just like Matisse to create their Christmas tree ornament for the Winter Extravaganza

1. Cut out the spiral circle

 2. Starting from the outside follow the lines to cut the circle into a spiral

 3. Following the lines on the template cut until it makes a spiral.

4. Place a small amount of each paint onto a extra piece of cardstock or paper plate
5. Dip a Q-tip into a small amount of tempura paint and dot the spiral in a pattern

6. Cut out 2 stars from the templates on the yellow cardstock
7. Fold a 2 inch piece of ribbon in half.
8. Using a glue stick place the glue onto the insides of both stars.
9. Place the folded ribbon inside the stars and press together to form a hanger for the ornament.
10. Be sure the 4th graders put their Name and Teacher's Name on the inside of the ornament.

credit: parent's magazine