Using glue, paper, and other assorted art materials, this lesson is perfect the preschool classroom themes that focus on animals, shapes, or colors. Paper shapes will be used to build an animal through the process of collage. Circles become heads and rectangles become legs, as the children create their own unique works of art. Concepts and ideas from this lesson can be expanded to other areas of learning such as pre-literacy, math, and science.
Animal Collage Lesson Objectives
Objectives for the young child specifically included in this art lesson are: exploring collage as an art form, discovering different ways to use glue and paper, shape recognition, increasing awareness of the part to whole relationship, color recognition, utilizing a variety of art materials in appropriate ways, expand sorting abilities, increase fine motor skills, develop social skills including sharing, and naming/describing animals.
Grade Level Suggested for the Animal Shape Collage
This project works well in the preschool classroom. Suggested age range is three through five years old.
Materials Needed for the Animal Shape Collage
- Construction paper – a variety of colors
- Glue sticks and/or school glue
- Paper shapes of all kinds
- Additional textured or pattern materials (felt, fabric, etc.)
Pre-planning Ideas for the Animal Shape Collage
The first set of directions include direct teacher preparation of necessary materials. An adult will need to cut out a variety of paper shapes. Using different colors of construction paper, cut out triangles, squares, circles, rectangles, and other shapes that the children may know. Create different sizes within each group. It may be beneficial to use a template to trace the shapes. Everyday objects, such as the top of a paper cup for a circle, tend to work well.
After the shapes are ready, search for additional art materials that may work well with this project. These include collage materials that add color, texture, or pattern. Examples are craft fur, fabric scraps, felt, tissue paper, metallic papers, pieces of ribbon or yarn, cotton balls, or corrugated paper. Try to avoid pre-made images such as magazines or print materials. The children may be tempted to simply cut out a photograph of a lion instead of creating a unique one.
Steps for Creating an Animal Shape Collage
Prior to beginning work on the animal shape collage, explain to the children what collage is. You may want to ask questions such as, "Who has heard of the art word collage?" or, "Does anyone know what art materials we use in making a collage?". Similarly, discuss the different shapes that you will be using. Make sure that the children can name each shape.
Sample process steps:
- Each child should receive a blank piece of construction paper. This will be the background for the collage.
- Invite the children to explore the shapes that have been set out for them. They should choose shapes that match their chosen animal's body.
- The children should use glue sticks to glue the shapes together in the form of an animal. Use this time to discuss the concept of overlapping in collage. Explain how one piece of paper can cover over part of another.
- Set out the additional collage materials (fabric, felt, craft fur). Explain to the children what they can be used for. Discuss textures, colors, and patterns. Ask the children to view and feel the different materials before choosing. Remind them that an animal with fur such as a cat or dog feels very different than animal such as a seal.
- Using glue, the children can collage the additional materials onto their animals.
- Allow the collage projects to dry flat.
Lesson Wrap Up for the Animal Shape Collage
Following drying time, have a mini-art show in the classroom. Either have each child hold up his or her art work or hang the collages on the wall. Using a show and share style, ask each child to speak about what he or she has created. Invite the other children to discuss each collage. This is an excellent opportunity to tress important social skills.
Enrichment Activities to be Used with the Animal Shape Collage
This art lesson provides many opportunities to extend the learning experience into other curricular areas. Shape recognition and part to whole relationship are important beginning math concepts. Use these concepts again in the block area or when playing with legos.
Another way to extend this project is through an animal themed lesson. Ask each child to talk about the animal that he or she has created. Find non-fiction books about animals and explore them with the children.
Introduce letters and letter writing skills into the project. Create labels for each picture by writing the animal name. Children who are able to write by themselves should create the labels. Children unable to write by themselves may be able to write the first letter of their animal's name or trace an adult written label.
The use of an animal shape collage in the preschool classroom can be a simple and effective way to introduce multiple concepts. By building an animal through collaging shapes together, young students can begin to develop new (and important) skills in many different areas.
Erica Loop - I am a mother and a professional Arts Educator, teaching visual arts programs to children ages three and up in both museum and school ...
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