Recycled Scrap Paper Art

This is a great art project anytime you have an abundance of scrap construction paper!  

This was revised on  July 25, 2016 to make instructions more clear. Note:  I am not saying save every scrap of construction paper, but pieces that are large enough they could be used again.  So, at least a 4 inch square piece could be saved.  If you have a 9 x 12 or 8 x 10 piece of paper you've had students cut out half of it, save the part that isn't cut up. I usually start saving about the last few construction paper projects we do--especially if they are projects that require multiple colors. If you do construction paper projects with several grade levels, it wouldn't take long to fill up a box! You will be recycling!!

Another option is to have your classroom teachers save their construction paper scraps for you (if they have any.)  Nothing like working together toward a common goal.  It is a good lesson for classroom teachers! (They thrown most everything in the trash! and I'm usually there to get it back out. LOL!!!) Check the recycle box or trash can in the office/teacher workroom by the die cut outs--I have found snowmen, leaves, etc.  that are great for using for a "negative" shape or for kids to trace the inside of the "negative".

Art Standard:  1 Media, techniques and processes;  3 Choosing symbols ideas

Math Standard 5:  Geometry; Sort/Name/Describe/Construct basic plane shapes. 

Materials: 

•  Big  Box of  mixed colors scrap construction paper
• 12 x 18 inch BLACK or WHITE  construction paper (for background)
•  Glue sticks
•  Scissors (optional) Students (especially Kindergarten tear better)
• Pencil, Crayon-black or white for drawing 

Geometric Shapes Plan

Procedures:  

• Review geometric shapes:  Circle, Square, Rectangle, Oval, Diamond (Rhombus).  
• Using white board or document camera, draw the shapes on your own paper to demonstrate.  Have students name shapes.
• Next, cut a triangle, square or circle with scissors.  If you want, tear one with your hands. (see below)
• Demonstrate putting glue on the shape you cut out, then gluing to a black/white background paper.    Make a simple object or animal.  (PLAN THIS AHEAD OF TIME.)
• Pass out a white crayon if using black construction paper  or pencil if using white construction paper per student.  Ask students to write names on one side of the paper.  Turn paper over.
• Have students draw or trace templates of shapes if you are using them. 
•  Collect crayons.
• Dump paper onto the table and let students go wild!
• Tell students they can cut, OR tear the paper  (no scissors) for a real challenge! to make their geometric shapes or tear paper to fill in the shapes or whatever your assignment is.
• Let students create. 

I had my kindergarteners use 4 big rectangles and trace them onto 12 x 12 paper.  Two rectangles were vertical side by side at the top with about a half inch space in between them; then the other two rectangles were below the ones on top.  Spaced out, they looked like a window. 
Students were told to tear paper and glue it INSIDE the rectangles.  These turned out great.  Even special needs students enjoyed this. Two of these "windows" ended up in the art show!