Patriotic symbols of the USA, such as the flag and the bald eagle, can be the catalyst for an art project. In primary grades, cover a bulletin board with white paper. Have the students put red hand prints in rows to resemble the flag's red stripes. To represent the field of blue with the fifty stars, the students first cover the white with blue hand prints, let it dry, then place white hand prints on top of the blue to symbolize the stars. Older students can cut out red, white and blue strips from a magazine to make a flag collage on the bulletin board. The cooperative projects will show pride in their country's values for all to admire.
Draw and/or color, depending on the level of students, the bald eagle as it is represented on the United States quarter. (see reference 4)
Geographical locations and buildings that immediately identify the viewer with the USA can be a basis for an art project. The Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, Lincoln Memorial and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, are all icons of the USA.
To base your art project on the Statue of Liberty, first have students look at close-up photos of The Statue of Liberty. They can also look at other artists' rendition of the landmark. Provide the students with art paper and instruct them to make their own creation of the Statue of Liberty. The students will hand write words in the background representing how they feel about the USA -- freedom, equality, justice, liberty. Paint a light blue watercolor wash on the fine-point permanent marker words to fade them into the background.
Studying and drawing the map of the USA leads to understanding of the geographical borders of the country and an understanding of the landforms. Every playground in the USA needs a map of the USA painted on it. This will require initiation and supervision from the Parent /Teacher Organization. After an adult sketches out the map, with the outline of the fifty states, including Hawaii and Alaska, the students can paint with tempra paint the interior of each state. This activity not only brings art to the playground, but there are many geography lessons to build around the large map.
Use the presidents, especially the presidents honored on President's Day in February, as a start for art lessons. A dramatic art bulletin board idea requires the help of an adult volunteer to make silhouettes of each student. Divide the bulletin board into three sections. Label one section, "The Past" which includes silhouettes of past presidents, "The Present" exhibiting the current president, and "The Future" showing the silhouettes of the students of the classroom.