2nd & 3rd Graders Take Creative Risks and Think Like Artists!

For a collage project last year I wanted to challenge my students - well, that's something I always try to do - but this time I really pushed them out of their comfort zones!

Students learned about Henri Matisse and how he "drew with scissors". We read about him and looked at his artwork. We talked about organic and geometric shapes and warm and cool colors. Next they were off to make their collages. They wanted to draw their shapes oh so bad but I insisted they used their scissors to make shapes for any details they wanted to add. After they spent about 2-3 weeks on these they arrived in class to find this note written on the white board:

Essentially, the message to students was "I know you worked really hard on these collages, and they are finished, but now you are going to mess them up and make them into something unexpected." Well, you can imagine the moans and groans I heard from these children. They were shocked and confused. BUT... they did it! Next they chose a new and larger piece of construction paper for their background, and started cutting, gluing, ripping, and adding new colors and shapes. The excitement was palpable! The children had a new-found sense of freedom to make mistakes, try again, and use their imaginations and creativity. 

And some of the many finished works of art can be seen below:

Have you done anything similar with your students? I'd love to hear about how you have pushed your classes out of their comfort zones. Please comment below if you would like to share!