My mom saw my propensity for art when I was six years old and bought me my first drawing/coloring set. I love ceramics, painting, drawing, and so much more! I am just an artsy craftsy kind of person!!! So, for those who know me well, know that my love for art transfers to my teaching. As a result, I do a lot of art in my classroom. The beauty in art is that you can infuse it in to whatever you are working on in the classroom: every subject area (math, science, history, technology, health, English) and student goal (choice making, holding onto objects, gross standing in the stander while coloring, attending to the activity, communication, active participation, counting) and so much more. And for middle school, high school, and adult teachers… students are never too old or too disabled to engage in art.
Because students with special needs do not always learn fundamental and foundational art skills on their own, their talent is often underestimated and overlooked. But, art is still important. Art allows students to express themselves, and/or offer their own view. Art gives students the opportunity to work on skills in a fun and creative way. Skills such as building fine motor and problem solving, enhancing communication and expression, promoting self-esteem and motivation to succeed. This is the place where they get to show us and share it, their own style and ways of seeing things.
Art can be as simple or as difficult as you make it. And don’t shy away from the more difficult and/or involved art projects. Depending on the student and their ability, use concrete and specific steps broken down in a more structured way to implement the art project. Use choice making, hand-over-hand, observation, etc., to engage and participate. The key is… just do it!!! Help your students make it!!! Don’t let art scare you off. After all, you don’t know what budding artist is just waiting to bloom! I have found some great activities over the years, and thought I would start sharing. Enjoy!!!
Art & Science – Bird Feeders
- Subjects taught – Science, Math (shapes), Art
- Just some of the skills used/taught – Choice making, shape identification, holding on to objects (paint brush), sensory (feel of the bird seed)
Material
Tagboard/Cardboard
Popsicle Sticks
Stickers
Paint
Paint brush
Corn Syrup (you can also use peanut butter)
Bird Seed
Cereal like Cheerios
Sunflower Seeds
String
Glue/Hot glue gun
Directions
- First thing we did was have students choose which shape (square, rectangle, triangle) they wanted their bird feeder to be.
- Cut out the shape on the tagboard or cardboard. Punch hole at the top.
- Popsicle sticks were used to frame the shape. Students chose which colors they wanted to use to paint their popsicle sticks.
- Paint popsicle sticks and let dry.
- Using glue or the hot glue gun, frame your shape with the popsicle sticks.
- Run string through the hole for hanging.
- For those who cannot do it independently, help student’s “paint” the shape with corn syrup.
- For those who cannot do it independently, help student’s sprinkle bird feed, cereal, sunflower seeds on the corn syrup. Lightly pat feed so that it sticks in the corn syrup. Allow to set.
- Bird feeder is ready to send home!
While enjoying this art project, we explored the most common birds found in our area and we enjoyed short videos on the birds we studied. There are lots of YouTube videos on birds. You will find the link I used below for California birds.
More Helpful Resources!
Teaching Art to Students With Visual Impairments