Some very wise kinder teachers taught me years ago that the best way to start a new lesson was to begin by reading aloud from a book. It helps to focus their attention, calm them down, and get their imagination started too.
In a pinch, almost any book with somewhat of a matching theme will do, but the ideal match does comes along once in a while. This project, which is based on “If the Dinosaurs Came Back” book works in just about every way. The content is appropriate for kinders, and the look is easy to imitate. Students draw directly with a big thick marker on paper (skip the pencil lines for more spontaneity) and then make a simple dinosaur collage with brightly colored paper.
Kinder students making Dinosaur Collages
Here’s how to handle the logistics of this project with up to 8 large kinder classes a week:
* Preprint lots of the Dino Template on red, green, yellow and blue card stock paper
• Let students pick their own preprinted paper
• Students draw a city scene directly on their drawing paper with a big thick marker (no pencils allowed)
• Afterwards, they cut their dinos from their paper, assemble and glue down with a glue stick.
If you have access to large 12″ x 18″ paper, it’s fun to mix things up by making really wide sheets for everyone. Use it full size or try cutting it into thirds so they can draw lots of buildings on a 6″ x 18″ sheet. The extra width encourages them fill it up and not draw just one or two buildings and stop.
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Materials for a Dino Project
Directions for a Dino Drawing and Collage
Time needed: 45 minutes
How to make a dinosaur art project
- Read the book “If the Dinosaurs Came Back” by Bernard Most
- Students draw a simple cityscape with a black marker.
- They choose a preprinted paper and cut out the shapes.
- The shapes are assembled and glued down on their city.
- Optional: Older students can round out the shapes and add details.
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