Turned out it was just the right level for our mixed 4th through 6th grades classroom. And the final result was stunning!
This is a project you can do with your kids at home, but if you would like to make a bigger tree it lends itself to a group project that several kids can do together.
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~Albert Camus~
Tips and tricks for painting projects with several kids
3) Prepare everything beforehand and give the kids clear instructions on what’s expected.
How to make this fall tree art project: step-by-step instructions
Materials needed:
- Big board of some sort. We used one sized approximately 3 by 4 feet.
- Non washable paint in fall colors
- Paint brushes
- 1 x 1 inch wooden squares (alot!) You can find them on Amazon.
- 2 x 2 inch wooden squares (for quotes)
- Thin sharpie to write the quotes
- Hot glue gun
Step 1
Paint a tree on the board as a base/back ground. As you can see my friend did a really good job with ours!
Step 2
Give each child desired amount of small wooden squares to paint. We used 20 each and gave them instructions on approximately how many of each color to use (to prevent ending up with only one color). Encourage the kids to mix colors to make it more realistic. A good idea is to put a couple of real fall leaves on the table for them to look at.
Step 3
Tell the kids to paint the big square in a light color. Have each child write a gratitude or fall quote on it, using a Sharpie, after the paint has dried.
Step 4
When all the pieces have dried, let the children glue them to the matching color on the tree on the board. Remember that some children might need help with a hot glue gun. Tell them to first place the squares where they would like them on the board. Then they can glue. Try not to completely cover the branches, but place the squares as if they were leaves on the tree. Some overlapping will add to the cool 3D effect!
Finished project
Add a layer of protective finish and -VOILA!
My daughter’s teacher hung the gratitude fall tree up on the outside wall of the classroom and it looks great!
Me and my friend are already talking about what we can make with the kids for the next (winter?) project.. maybe something with recyclables..we’ll see.
Please, tell me what you think! And please share pictures if you made something similar!
Gratitude turns what we have into enough
~Aesop~
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