Matisse Paper Collage Art Lesson for Early Elementary

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

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)

1. Self-Portraits (inspired by Van Gogh)
2. Primary Colors & Secondary Colors (inspired by Claude Monet)
3. Warm & Cool Colors (inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe)
4. Tints & Shades (inspired by Pierre-Auguste Renoir)
5. Abstract Art (inspired by Wassily Kandinsky)
6. Landscapes (inspired by Henri Rousseau)
7. One Point Perspective (inspired by Grant Wood)
8. Still Life (inspired by Paul Cezanne)
9. Decoupage Jack-o'-Lantern Craft (inspired by Halloween)
10. Lines & Patterns (inspired by Paul Klee)
11. Texture (inspired by Winslow Homer)
12. Turkey Crafts (inspired by Thanksgiving)
13. Painted Christmas Tree Cards (inspired by Christmas)
14. January Art Lessons: Weaving & Winter (colors, lines, & patterns)
15. Snowmen Surprise (value, tints, & shades)
16. February Art Lessons (Valentine's Day and blow painting)
17. Paper Collages (inspired by Henri Matisse)
18. March Art Lessons (spring butterflies, bean mosaics, & glued quilt flowers)
19. April Art Lessons (craft stick treasure boxes, April showers, & shaving cream marbling)
20. All of My Hands-on Lessons & Unit Studies

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