Sunflower Still Life Drawings

 About a month ago when the sunflowers were still blooming in my backyard, I took some blooms to school for a still life drawing lesson with my K-3rd students.  We looked at Van Gogh's sunflower series and I modeled looking and drawing sunflowers for the students.  First, I drew a generic flower and then contrasted it with a drawing of a sunflower where I paid attention to the shapes.  Most students attempted to capture what they saw but some are still in a different stage where they draw what they "know' instead of what they "see".  I gave the older students more choices.  3rd grade and 2nd grade students could either use traditional drawing materials or "draw with scissors" and make construction paper flowers.  It was good practice and a good one-day project.  Living in Kansas, the students are always excited about sunflower projects!

I put in some with no petals left and pointed out the flowers like that in Van Gogh's painting.  Not many takers, but I still think the textures look cool!

 Kindergarten

 Kindergarten

Kindergarten 

 2nd grade

 2nd grade

 1st grade- drew the table the flowers were sitting on

 2nd grade

1st grade

My construction paper and crayon example