“My Hand” Collage

I’m experimenting with different ways for students to start the school year off with an expressive project. Aside from drawing their faces, tracing their hands and making a collage / painting can make some very colorful and individualistic art. And I know most classroom teachers love having colorful art right away to fill their classroom walls.1. Using just a sheet of copy paper, students trace one hand in pencil and then with a Sharpie so that you can see the lines a bit from the back.2. Students cut close to the edge of the hand, but leave about 1/4" around the edge.3. Moving quickly (some young ones can get distracted with this process) students cut about 6 of 7 biq squares of magazine pictures that they like, about 2" square. All are glued down to cover the back of the hand cutout. All should overlap so no white is showing.4. Students cut out the hand from the marker side. A sheet of watercolor paper is rubbed with the side of a crayon. They hand is glued in the center, and watercolor paint is applied around the hand, and faded to nothing with the brush. Lastly, names could be added in matching crayon.