Springtime Printmaking

This was a fun lesson in which we used everyday objects to make unique patterns. First, on a white sheet of 12" X 18" paper, I drew a bee because it reminded me of spring. Next, I used various objects--a Q-tip, fork, sponge, and piece of cardboard-- to stamp paint onto my drawing. Each of the objects had its own unique design, as you can see from the stripes of my bee. The end result was a very colorful, one-of-a-kind creation!

An extension activity for this lesson would be to learn the history of printmaking. In social studies, students could learn how the printing press worked and how it had an impact on society. This could lead to a unit on inventors. Each student could choose a famous inventor to research and dress up like. The class could hold a wax museum to share what they learned.