Apples - Matisse Style

We've had some fun with apples lately.  Several years ago I made up this life cycle activity.  It's nothing fancy, but it's effective.  The kids draw, color, and label the life cycle and then wear it upon their heads as it goes around and around as life cycles do.

We've been singing a lot about apples too.  I didn't make up this song, but I wish I knew who did.  I found it on the internet years ago.  Maybe Dr. Jean?  Click on the words for your own copy.

This next thing is a new one for me, and I get no credit whatsoever.  I found it on a great art blog called Fine Lines that you should definitely visit.  I was very pleased with how the kids did, and they walked away with a bit of knowledge about Matisse, Cezanne, Renoir, still life, wet on wet, shadowing, and outlining...and so did I! 

(I must thank my beautiful niece Britt for giving me some artistic tips!)

And finally, I leave you with a few of the hazards of being a first grade teacher.  This is what happens when you run out of red paint and have to borrow the powdery stuff from next door.  Ugh.

In honor of my blog's one year anniversary, find out here what I could make for you if you're a follower and comment on any of my posts this week.  I look forward to hearing from you.