After seeing this and this, we decided to try this simple class project for end of the year teacher gifts. We gave each child (three and four year olds) a shape to decorate, with the only limitation being no stickers or three-dimensional objects. We used thick watercolor paper for the shapes and then I spray mounted them to acid-free paper and framed them together. I have found group art projects for young children rather challenging, but this allowed us to have some control of the project while giving the children the opportunity to do their own work. I think the variety of media and colors made a nice collection and represents the unique personalities of the children.
Wonderful! I had seen both of the inspired-by posts and you did a great job of pulling it together and making it unique. I can’t wait to give this a try. Did you handcut the mats or purchase them somewhere?
What a brilliant idea. I love the repetition of design. It was a great opportunity for the kids to express themselves and yet be proud of such a professional looking end product.
this is such a cute class project!
We purchased the mats, but I think it would still be nice just on a piece of large paper without them.
This is a great idea. I’ll have to remember this as a teacher gift for next year. Really this would be a great gift for a grandparent too All of the grandkids could decorate a shape. What a nice keepsake!
This is a great idea for teacher gifts and it turned out great!
what a lovely idea, and such a simple idea for end-of-year gifts! It really does have a modern appeal sort of reminiscent of Andy Warhol…
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this is my favorite kinda kid project – one that preserves the integrity of kid art, while ending with an adult pleasing result. BRILLIANT!!! I will be copying this, for sure!!
those are so simplistically pretty! I love them! I hope I remember this next year for teacher gifts! My bookmark list is growing!
Love it! I made one for my daughter’s teacher~she loved it! thak you so much for sharing! I posted the finished project~
These are beautiful and would be so meaningful to a teacher. Can you give us an idea of what the size of the individual squares and the overall finished dimensions. Where did you purchase the mats? Thank you for sharing your great ideas and finds.
The openings are 4″x4″, so the birds and butterflies are rather small. The frame was purchased from our local art supply store and we had the mat cut there as well.
Can you email me or post the template you used for the birds? I would like to stick with the size you used. thank you!!!!
Would you please tell me where you found the template you used for the butterflies? I love this idea, thank you!