Recycled Christmas Card 3rd-6th Class.

It's a bit early to think about Cristmas, but here is one art lesson I always do with my class. It's easy - collage with old Christmas cards collected by the pupils after the previous Christmas holidays.

Materials:

A4 brightly coloured card (any colour-yellow is good as marker/pencil is easily seen on it); A4 paper or white card; old Christmas cards; glue; markers/colouring pencils;

1. Fold the A4 sheet of coloured card in half to make the Christmas card shape.
2. The pupil decides on a design suitable for the festive season, and draws it's outline with pencil on a piece of A4 paper or card. Make sure the design is the right size to fit on the front of the Christmas card ( A simple design with a clear outline is best, such as a star, bells, angel, Christmas Tree etc.)
3. He/she uses old Christmas cards to cut out suitable pieces taking into account colours, designs and words to fit into his shape outline. He then sticks the pieces into his shape. (The pupil shouldn't worry about going 'over the lines' as he can trim the outline at the end to achieve the perfect shape again. (See above illustrations of finished shapes)
4. When the shape has been decorated, cut it out and stick it onto the front cover of a brightly coloured A4 card. (Alternatively, scan or digitally photograph the design and print it on the A4 card.
5. Write the greeting on the front eg. 'Nollaig Shona', and on the inside.

It's simple but effective and reinforces the idea of recycling (the Christmas Cards!!)

Conor Doyle