Falling back in Space Portraits! 3rd Grade

*repost*

Here are some 'while working' shots that I grabbed because I love these! They are so fun. I got this idea from another teacher in my district last year where I taught. She said it was a huge hit among her 5th graders. Well, I decided to try it with 3rd and it worked.

1. Start with a LARGE sheet of paper...18x24 is what we used
2. Have students trace hands facing outward, towards the top of the paper. A friend may help.
3. Put papers on the ground, and have students trace their feet facing outward slightly towards the bottom of the paper. **they LOVE this part!**
4. Have students draw an oval/circle for the head slightly above the hands (in the middle)...add details to the face, hair, etc...to make it look like them
5. Then, add a neck, show them how to attach the arms to the hands, and the pants to the feet. The arms and legs get larger as they get closer to the tracings of hands and feet. Draw details, details, details!
6. Discuss how they are 'flying back in space' and WHERE ARE THEY?! I have students drawing outer space, under the ocean, in a lightening storm, in tornadoes, etc....
7. Outline in sharpies
8. Paint with watercolors (we added crayon detail for small things as a wax-resist)