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Silhouette Paper Cuttings for 3rd and 4th Graders

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Did you know Hans Christian Andersen was an accomplished paper cutter?  He created some very intricate and amazing silhouettes.

I used a chapter from the book The Amazing Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen to teach about his paper cuttings. Perhaps if your students are reading fairy tales, this would be a great author/artist to incorporate.

The third and fourth grade class drew silhouettes on black paper (using regular pencils) and cut them out.  (Some chose to create their picture with white on black paper.) The theme was of their choosing and students often looked up pictures on the internet or in books for reference.

This lesson touched upon the concepts of:

  • shape
  • space
  • silhouette
  • contrast
  • creativity

It is a great project to promote the proper use of a scissors and to improve fine motor skills.

Silhouettes of two large birds and two small birds flying against a white background. Abstract, black silhouette paper cuttings of various shapes on a white background, featuring a bird, zigzag lines, and small figures.Silhouette of a sailboat with two sails at night, under a full moon, depicted with bold, minimalistic lines, resembling silhouette paper cuttings. Silhouette paper cuttings of various animals, including birds, a dog, a cat, and other abstract shapes on a white background. Silhouette paper cuttings of a bird flying and four dogs in various poses on a white background Silhouette paper cuttings of a tree, snake, fish, pig, bird.

A black silhouette of a squirrel holding an acorn, sitting on a branch with a white background. Silhouette paper cuttings depict a bird flying near a castle with two towers and a central, tall structure against a white background. Silhouette paper cuttings on a white background feature black shapes including a flag, jet, missile, star, and abstract designs. Two white silhouettes on a black background, created with silhouette paper cuttings, one larger with baseball bat and the other smaller, appearing to run. Silhouettes of two airplanes, a flag, and missiles are scattered across a white background.


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About Marcia Beckett

Marcia is an elementary art teacher and loves painting, drawing, sculpture, art journaling and clay. Her blog, Art is Basic, features many exciting art projects for kids.

One Response to Silhouette Paper Cuttings for 3rd and 4th Graders

  1. Pingback: Silhouette Paper Cuttings | Lesson Plans | CraftGossip.com

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