Matisse Paper Collage Art Lesson for Early Elementary

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I am a Christian. I was an 8th-grade American History teacher. I am currently a freelance writer, public speaker, & homeschooling mom of 9.

Henri Matisse & Paper Collage Art Lesson for Early Elementary

This is part of a series of 26 hands-on art lessons for Kindergarten and 1st grade. This lesson focuses on collages inspired by Henri Matisse. I used this plan while teaching a weekly 45 minute art class for children in Kindergarten and 1st grade. Each lesson includes an art concept, introductory book, focus on an artist, and a variety of art techniques to make each lesson engaging & memorable. Use these fun lessons with your classroom, homeschool, after-school program, or co-op!

Henri Matisse's Paper Cut-out Collages

1. To introduce the concept of Matisse's painting with scissors and collages, read Matisse's Garden by Samantha Friedman.

You will need: Matisse's Garden by Samantha Friedman or other children's book about Matisse and his paper collages

Guessing Game on Henri Matisse

2. Flip through about a dozen of Matisse's paper cut-out collages and have students guess what each collage is titled. Then tell them the title.

Point out how some look like something (representational) and some are simply organic shapes.
Point out some of the various organic shapes.

You will need: copies of some of Matisse's paper cut-outs

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Creating Paper Cut-out Collages

3. Allow students to create their own paper cut-out collages. They can be representative or have organic shapes.

You will need per student: a large sheet of paper, various colors of construction paper, scissors, and Elmer's glue (Note: I let them use glue sticks as well, but they didn't hold the paper well.)

4. If desired, allow students to use a small amount of black tempera paint to add a few details.

You will need per student: paintbrushes, black tempera paint, and small palates (I use plastic lids)