Out of This World Art! (1st)

So as an extension lesson for my 1st graders (after the Delaunay tissue collage project), I've been doing "Out of This World Art!" 
To begin with, we recap all the color mixing we've been doing that week (primary + primary = secondary color). Then I demonstrate the project process. I pick two primary colored markers and "scribble-scrabble" all over a coffee filter until it is covered with "scribble-scrabbles" (if that's not a real word -- it needs to be). Then I lay it flat on the table and spray it with a spray bottle filled with water. As the water soaks into the coffee filter, it moves the marker pigment around and makes a tie-dye effect.  This is where the secondary color is created. 
Before we get started, I pass out scraps of paper to each student and have them write their names on it to create a name tag; then we sit it aside.
I have each student pick two primary-colored markers and I walk around the room and ask each student what color they are going to make with their color pair and then give them a coffee filter (they must answer correctly first though). This helps me to assess who has retained the lesson content.. and who needs additional concept reinforcement. As students finish scribbling on their filters, they pick another primary color pair and raise their hand. If they can name the correct secondary color that would be made with the color pair, I give them another filter to color. Towards the end of class I have the students put all their colored filters into the middle of their tables and I come around with the spray bottle. The kids LOVE this part!! So exciting! Then I give them the chance to walk around the room and look at all the other sprayed filters. I love hearing all the "woooahhhs!" and "awesomes!!"
After a minute or two I ask the kids to go back to their tables and we move all the coffee filters onto plastic trays, put their name tags on top of their filters, then put them on the drying rack.
The next day we come in and look at a series of outer space pictures and artworks. We talk about all the things they see and then talk about the sizes of the planets in the images. I have the students use their fingers and try to "pick-up" the planets from their seats (at least 15 feet from my projector screen). We look at how little our fingers are spaced apart.. and then I run up to the screen and show them how when I get closer to the image, the planet seems to get bigger. How come the planet "fit" in my fingers when I was far away.. but when I got closer.. it didn't? Ahhh! Because objects that are supposed to appear closer are drawn larger.. and things that are farther away are drawn smaller! This is a subtle introduction to the idea of creating the illusion of depth - an idea that I really hit on in 2nd/3rd grade.

Using various sized circle tracers, I have students trace circles onto their colored filters and then cut them out. These circles are glued down onto a black piece of paper and additional details (like planet rings, moons, stars, and spaceships) are added using construction paper crayons.

Each student walks away from this project really excited about what they've produced!

Throughout the project we listen to / watch a video all about the solar system. The kids LOVE it. Check it out!


  1. Love this lesson - it's the 'ooh aah' factor that helps kids retain the learning! I've enjoyed exploring your blog and will be following with interest! I'd love you to visit me at Dream Painters http://paintersofdreams.blogspot.com
    Elizabeth :)

    1. Thanks Elizabeth!
      I'm finishing up this lesson again tomorrow with my first graders from this week! Hoping to get more great pictures to add to this post! :)
      I will definitely check out your blog!
      Thanks for commenting!