You have a class full of kids and too much free time. What can you do to fill the gap so you don’t lose control? Art! Try these flexible, inexpensive and easy art projects with your 1st - 3rd graders.

All About Me Book

Materials Needed: paper, crayons or markers, cardboard, decorations (stickers, wallpaper, contact paper, glitter, beads, etc.), a hammer and nail

Fold four white pieces of paper in half to make a book. Be specific about what should go on each page, including what types of pictures you’d like to see and how much writing should be included. For first grade, one sentence per page is enough. Third graders could do whole paragraphs if you wish. Pages might include family, friends, hobbies, pets, house, school, church, and of course a picture of the author. It’s a good idea to assign the last page as the "about the author" page. Be sure to let the kids know that they need to leave a little room on the left for the margin. You will be tying the book together and anything on the left inch or so will be covered up. Make the book special by using cardboard for the cover. Precut the cardboard - two pieces for each book (front and back). Let the kids decorate it with contact paper, wallpaper, stickers, or just markers. To put the book together, take the book outside, lay it in some grass and use the hammer and nail to punch three holes through the entire book. Tie the book together with twine or string.

Hand Print Trees

Materials Needed: construction paper, scissors, glue, decorations

Cut out the shape of a tree trunk and branches from brown paper. Let kids trace and cut out their hand prints from a variety of construction paper colors. The hand prints can be glued on to the tree trunk as the leaves of the tree. Add any decorations you like.