These are going to be gorgeous when done but they are still works in progress. We started by looking at contemporary mosaic artists online and the students loved seeing all the different ways mosaics are used...for stairs, columns and, even, pothole covers. They broke into groups and used a class period to cut their mosaic papers. Seeing them collaborate on who would cut which color was the best. We drew a cornucopia on scrap paper as I explained that it was the shape of a goat's horn and that Greek and Roman mythology use the cornucopia as a symbol for bountiful food and that is why we use it at Thanksgiving. The next week they redrew their cornucopia and fruit on black paper and started building their mosaics. Stay tuned. 

First Grade Watercolor/Oil pastel Turkeys
These turned out so fun! The students were given dark oil pastels, purple, blue, black. I took them step by step through a turkey drawing. We went right to the good paper for our turkey drawing after they watched me demonstrate two times. Sometimes, I like them to draw it out on a 'sloppy copy' first but this week we were in a time crunch, so right to the good copy we went. They then watercolored in the turkey and background in any color they wanted. And, we added a real feather at the end. Next year, I might add a tiny hole to the top of the turkey head and place the quill through the paper and tape behind. Apparently, lots of feathers were flying off our little turkeys with just glue stick. But, an easy fix. Love their little turkeys! 

This was a two week project. I cut out strips of paper and the students had to go 'shopping' at our art store...which is just my counter in the back of the room, with trays of art supplies...ssshh, don't tell the kids...they think it is the best. They could pick out two colors of paper strips for their turkey bodies. I had the bodies precut with slits for them. We wove the strips through the bodies. They needed some help but they got the hang of it pretty quickly. The next week, they made their turkey heads, added legs and drew their own feathers. I let them glue the heads on where they thought was best. What a fun turkey project!