This post is a borderline craft – but what art isn’t?

Reusing and repurposing items is a wonderful way to teach students how to re-use materials while teaching art. You may look at this picture and see a possible lesson incorporating Monet, Van Gogh or O’Keeffe.

Why not discover a modern way to interpret this floral lesson by using the works of fabric designers, botanical illustrators or photographers? Share your discoveries!

Every time you change the TP or paper towels, do you look and the empties and consider saving it on the off chance that you’ll have a use for it? Here at Growing up Creative  Tali Buchler has found a beautiful use for her cardboard tubes.

Here’s her lesson plan:

You will need:

Toilette Paper rolls
Scissors
White glue
Stapler
Paint + brushes
Glitter
Laundry pins

How to:

• Crush paper roll

• Cut into approximately 5 equal parts don’t have to be exact

• place the rolls on a flat surface creating a desired  pattern. spend time trying different compositions and patterns.

• glue where rolls are touching, hold with laundry pins to dry. You may use a stapler as an alternative, what ever is easier. I find that glue is easier for the younger kids.

• You may paint and add sparkles. Sprinkle the glitter on the wet paint, this way it will sticks and you wont need any glue.

• You may expend the pattern in to an organic cell growth. The challenge is when to say STOP.

Thanks again growing up creative for posting this great lesson in your blog’s eco kids craft section!

Here are some pictures from when the Savage horde tried this at home:

© theartofmann.org, 2012.

© theartofmann.org, 2012.

© theartofmann.org, 2012.

© theartofmann.org, 2012.

© theartofmann.org, 2012.