Objectives:

Note: Although this project is best suited for children ages 7 or 8 and up, you can also try it with the young ones, just keep in mind that you will have to adapt the ideas accordingly.

What You Need:

• Paper (8-1/2" x 11" or larger)
• Pencils
• Magic markers
• Rulers or other straight edges
• Round lids from various sized containers (margarine, yogurt, milk caps, etc.) Be sure to have a nice variety available - ask the kids to bring round items in from home. (Optional: compasses used for drawing circles can be used instead of the container lids, making for a good tie-in to math).

What You Do:

1. Begin by taking a ruler and drawing a number of lines across the paper. They don't need to run parallel to one another, as long as they all run in the same direction (up and down) Some can be closer at the bottom and further apart at the top. Its up to you. Draw between twelve and sixteen lines.

2. The next step is to take the round lids, lay them on the paper in different areas and trace them. Be sure to have some of the circles overlap other circles. Also, don't panic if the circles run off the page. It adds interest.

3. When you are happy with the amount of circles (remember to make different sized circles), then you can begin coloring in alternating areas of the design.

4. The idea is to start with one spot in the upper left hand corner (upper right hand corner for those who are left handed). Then, color in every other area - almost as though you were creating a checkerboard.

5. Take your time and if you run into trouble, don't panic, just change your pattern slightly and go with the flow. This is supposed to be fun after all.

One Step Further:

Think about trying the complimentary colors together in the same design (red and green; blue and orange; violet and yellow).

If you are unhappy with the finished piece, why not find an section that you do like, cut it out with safety scissors and glue it onto a colorful piece of poster paper or cardboard?

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