Spheres in Space

I have had a difficult time finding ways to use the cool art supplies we've collected over the last two years. Not being trained as a art teacher, but being an "artsy" person, I've been frustrated because I'm not able to come up with age-appropriate, meaningful projects for the kids off the top of my head. I need an example that I can copy and implement, something to inspire and get me started. I've done little more than let the kids experiment with the materials on their own and work from learn to draw books--which has produced some really wonderful results. Nevertheless, I knew we could all take things a little farther and I wanted to teach some basic art concepts along the way. I've tried a few sources, but sadly, researching art curriculum has not been a priority when there are so many other needs.

Recently I found a blog written by an art teacher with some great ideas for elementary kids called Art Projects for Kids. They are simple projects, with step by step instructions and pictures, mostly using the supplies we already have.

When I found this project Spheres in Space using black paper and chalk pastels, I just knew we needed to do this for the covers of our astronomy journals. We talked about light source and shading and it worked for all three age groups (4th grade, 2nd grade, and kindergarten). I showed them each step by step how to trace the planets and make some of them go off the page. How to color the planets and how to add the white and the black and then use their fingers to blend the pastels and create the shading. I did help with Maddie and Maya with the rings around their planets, otherwise this is their own work. Here are the kids interpretations.

Makenna (4th grade)

Maya (kindergarten)

Madison (2nd grade)