2nd grade Winter Birch Tree and Cardinal Collage

Winter Art is so fun to explore! This Winter Collage merges a few concepts from different sources and I LOVE the stunning results. I listed the materials, steps and resource links below if you want to try this with your kiddos. Have fun!

Materials:

• Birch Tree and Bird Template
• Black fine pt. Sharpie and Ultra fine (optional for wind detail)
• 12 X 18 black constrcution paper ( I only had purple at the time)
• 9 X 12 assorted blue construction paper
• 9 X 12 red construction paper
• scissors
• pencils
• glue sticks
• white hole punch circles

Step 1: 

• Show Birch Tree in Nature example. Point out how the black markings CONTRAST with the white bark. Click this link for an article about the history of the Birch Tree.
• Point out the differences in each black making, not one is the same.
• Tell students they will create black markings using different sized lines on Tree Template paper like this:
  

Step 3:

• After students mark their paper, have them cut out each tree trunk.
• Glue the colored blue 9 X 12 centered on the black 12 X 18 (landscape).
• Glue the tree trunks over the blue 9 X 12 (allow choice for straight or leaning or both!):
  

Step 4: 

• Show a Red Cardinal in nature example:
  
• Point out how the red color of the wings CONTRASTS with the background color.
• Point out the black markings on the wings.
• Pass out bird template, place over red construction paper. Pressing hard, outline over bird and wing outline indenting the red paper beneath. 
• Cut out the birds and wings.
• apply Sharpie line designs to create wing patterns (optional).
  

Step 5: 

• Talk about how birds look in nature: always moving, wings flapping. Have students arrange their birds and wings with that concept of moving and flapping in mind. Random placement is key to a natural look.
• Glue birds and wings down:
  

Step 6: 

• Glue hold punched white circles around the perimeter of the collage (not within the collage) to create a snowy-like border!