Early Childhood

Where do we see warm and cool colors, and how can we use them in our art?

Students will create a torn paper collage using at least three warm or three cool colors.

• 9 x 12" (23 x 30 cm) white paper for background
• glue sticks
• assorted magazines
• assorted scraps of construction paper
• visual resource with the warm and cool colors
• photos or digital images of winter scenes and sunsets

Step 1
Show students a visual that includes the warm and cool colors. Ask them to identify objects in the classroom that feature warm colors, and objects that have cool colors. Then, show photos of snowy winter scenes that show cool colors, and sunsets with warm colors.

Step 2
Distribute materials. Demonstrate how to tear paper by gripping the paper with your fingertips and tearing in opposite directions.

Step 3
Using the magazines and paper scraps, instruct students to collect papers in warm or cool colors for their collage.

Step 4
Demonstrate gluing the torn papers onto the background paper. As students are working, circulate around the room to support students as they practice tearing and collaging.

Did students use at least three warm or three cool colors in their collage? Did they practice tearing paper? Did they glue scraps down fully? Can they identify warm and cool colors in their artwork and surroundings?

Emily Thaler is an art teacher at Bannockburn Elementary School in Bethesda, Maryland.