4th Grade Matisse Cut Outs

We do this project all most every year for original works.  I start out by giving the students a black 9"x12" paper, and they get 2 strips of color paper which is about 3"x 10" maybe.  We talk about Matisse, and positive and negative space, and different types of shapes (geometric and organic). Also we really talk about the color wheel.  I show the student a few trick on how to cut things out, and then I let them go at it.  It is a good project if you have a scrap box.