Zentangle! (10/6/14)
This was more of an art exercise rather than a project, an experimentation in line, texture, patterns, and creative design. I chose a variety of patterns that I thought would be relatively simple for primary school-aged kids to do. I modeled a few of the patterns for the children (such as the checkerboard one), while others came completely out of the students' imaginations. All that was needed was 6"x 9" drawing paper and a fine-tip black marker. I showed the students how to first draw rectangles of varying sizes on their paper with their markers. Each rectangle served as a mini-canvas for a zentangle pattern. I found that even the youngest children were remarkably attentive and engaged with the care and fine detail this art exercise required.
These are samples done by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders.
These are samples done by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders.