I Last spring, we made Chris Uphues Happy Collages for Valentines day. Students made individual 12X12 collages, and created an additional 'character' for a collaborative mural. For their individual collages, we used the chalk stencil design method to create a background. This year, I wanted to use the same idea to make collages for halloween. I think I like them even more! 

We focused on symmetry and I had a few specialty papers available for students to use like halloween scrapbook paper and white sheet music.  I showed them a couple of examples of Target 'cute' halloween stuff and encouraged them to make something 'cute' as opposed to gory, bloody, scary. I had a few try to argue that Halloween was supposed to scary, and I said listen, "You are making these things to display in a children's school, not a haunted house." Most of them could agree with me after that. 

I did show how how they could cut the eyes out of a skull or they could just cut black paper and glue it down for the eyes. Also, I demonstrated how to draw half of a pumpkin along the fold and then cut it out so it would be symmetrical. Most of them 'got it'. The candy corn was the hardest thing to make symmetrical! 

I had an inspiration board that had some basic fall and halloween symmetrical shapes. A few of my students do not celebrate halloween, so I encouraged them to do a leaf or an apple since those things are symmetrical and seasonal during autumn. 

Supplies
Day 1
(We made the chalk stencil background this day, I told them if they wanted to make a black figure like a cat or a bat, they might want to use gray for the background)
12X12 Paper (we used gray or black)
Chalk
12X12 paper for the stencil (again, gray or black)
Pencils for name
Scissors

Day 2
Chalk Stencil Backgrounds finished and ready for collages to be added on top
Scissors
Glue Sicks
Markers
Pencils
Colored Paper in all shapes and sizes and colors (Lots of orange and white)
​Trash Tubs for each table
Mural Paper
Hot glue gun to hot glue each figure to the mural

Overall, I would say that this project was very successful for every student! I enjoyed watching them use symmetry and plan their designs. I told them that LOTS of kids were making pumpkins and skulls, so if they chose something like that, they should think of a way to customize it and make it unique, or else choose something that NO one else is probably attempting like an owl or a witch or a spider......I really wanted them to cut out as many elements as possible, but many of them drew stuff on which was okay too. 

After creating the Chalk Stencil designs as a way to introduce chalk, messy procedures and cutting to my 5th and 6th graders, I couldn't shake the idea that they would make a great background for a collage. 

So for the students having art 2nd semester, we looked at the artwork of Chris Uphues. I created a slideshow with examples and talked about how he is a current, working artist. I explained how he sells his designs, creates murals, and also sells paintings and small items like patches. We started they day by watching this catchy, sweet little youtube video and then looked at the slide show. 

I was afraid students would find his work too babyish, but for the most part everyone was on board. Especially since they could make 'cute' food or hearts. I spent time teaching them how to fold a piece of paper in half to make a symmetrical heart. It is incredible how many students have never learned that technique. I'm hoping it will pay off when we start a big mask project later this year. 

Students could make any design they wanted, it just couldn't be too simple. Ex. one heart with a smiley face. I showed them how to draw two eyes, fold the paper and cut the exact same shape out that would match. Sometimes students get frustrated that they can't make the same shape again. 

We used glue sticks to attach the various pieces. If they finished with their main collage, they were also required to make one for a mural. The purpose of the mural: to make people happy. 

Once they made their shape/food/face, they had to show it to me for 'quality control'. I would not let anything that was sloppy or messy go on the mural, they had to erase pencil lines, draw things in sharpie and make sure stuff was glued on well. They would not be getting their pieces back, but everyone's would be hung up. 

I hung the murals and a few selected collages together around the building. They make me so happy to look at. 

I was so happy to see this lesson plan in Arts and Activities magazine! 

I was foolish to think I could explain messy cleanup procedures AND finish this in one day. BUT--it worked out pretty well in the end and I absolutely LOVE the results.

This did take us two class periods.

I had a couple of students completely BAFFLED by the explanation. When I asked if they had ever cut out a paper snowflake, they were like NO. So I realized that might be a problem for some of my 5th and 6th graders.

​But for the most part, we had a lot of success. Even if they cut their paper in half, or in 4 pieces accidentally cutting on the 'fold' most were able to make the stencil idea work. 

Since we had a parent night less than one month after open house, I was really glad to have one project done so that we had a few new art pieces on display. 

This clever girl saved her scraps and glued them to black paper. Reminds me of a wind catcher. 

I made a time lapse of my example and played it for students while I passed out papers. They enjoyed it.