Third graders would use this kind of project to introduce who they are to their class. It's a great way for the students to learn about each other. Plus, the students learn about the Post-Impressionist painter, Georges Seurat. He created Pointillism, which is about painting with small dots of paint. Children learn how to do Pointillism painting with Q-Tips. They also learn to mix complementary colors, which are opposite each other on the color wheel, and analogous colors, which are near each other on the color wheel. The children will have a mirror next to them so they can create their portrait.
With clay, third grade students are able to create pottery and figurines by hand. Under the teacher's supervision, the students will even use a pottery wheel to create clay pots. They can even create animal and people figurines. They will learn about the different cultures (such as the Mexicans) that have used clay to create objects. Kids love playing with clay because it's messy.
Almost every month of the year, students will create a holiday project. Around Christmas time, the students may help their teacher decorate the classroom. They'll decorate the room with ornaments, wreaths, and garlands cut out of construction paper. Kids love getting involved with decorating the classroom. At Easter, they may learn how to create Easter eggs by painting and dipping the eggs. Students can get involved during the holidays with many different activities. Kids love the holidays and love doing projects that are associated with the holiday season.
Third grade students will learn about the solar system including the planets, sun, moon, and stars. Students will then have to create their own three-dimensional solar system. They will use a shoe box and Styrofoam balls for this project. Third graders will have to paint the Styrofoam balls according to how each planet looks. Then, the students will paint the background (the shoe box) for their solar system.