Paper Cut Trees: Negative Space

This was a fun, quick, 1 day lesson using just construction paper, scissors and glue sticks!

TO VIEW MY BLOG POST ON THIS LESSON WITH STEP-BY STEP PHOTOS TYPE IN “CUT PAPER TREES – 4^TH GRADE” IN THE SEARCH BOX HERE.

I reviewed with students the complementary colors, symmetry and positive/negative space before demonstrating how to create these colorful fun trees.

Students then chose their 2 colored construction papers (1 sheet pre-cut to 9×12″ and 1 sheet cut to 6″x9″), and drew half of a tree along the edge of their 6×9″ piece with pencil.

Then students cut out their half tree.

Setting aside the cut tree, glue down remaining paper onto one side of the 9×12″ sheet.

Take the 1/2 tree you first cut, and flip it over lining up the edges of the 2 papers. Don’t glue down this piece just yet!

Now draw another half tree (or any 1/2 shape!) along the straight edge like below!

Cut out THAT half shape….

And flip that piece over…

Glue down the remaining 2 cut pieces, so everything lines up at the tree top and tree stump’s edges.

LEARNING GOALS:

Students can define complementary colors

Students can define symmetry and show this in their work

Students can define positive and negative space and create that in their work

Lesson inspiration from LauraLee (@2art.chambers)