Romare Bearden Collage Game
Ready to teach a Black History Month art project in February that’ll keep elementary art kids engaged? This Romare Bearden collage art lesson will boost student confidence and creativity. Kids will appreciate his energetic jazz collages from the Harlem Renaissance. Moreover, they’ll connect with his personal story about experiencing discrimination and The Great Migration in the 1920’s.
And, it’ll help time-starved teachers like you create lesson plans based on modern Black artists like Romare Bearden.
During this collage project, your class will learn how Romare Bearden incorporated jazz music and trains into his artwork. Use it to discuss symbols in art and mixed media. Students will create a jazz collage with musical instruments using the step-by-step guide and PowerPoint.
Plan lessons for students about Black art history and art appreciation in a way that excites them. Finally feel confident in your art curriculum and be organized and prepared to teach art!
What’s Included In My Harlem Renaissance Art Lesson
Can I be honest with you? Art history can sometimes be boring for kids. There, I said it. Teaching about artists and cultures doesn’t have to be a snoozer, though!
I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt this Romare Bearden project. All will engage kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:
- Roll a dice game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
- “You Pick” idea worksheet for kids to choose their own elements
- Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick elements and you can integrate technology in the art room
- Printable dice template in case you have no dice
- Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
- Drawing practice worksheet, for kids who want to sketch out their ideas
- Romare Bearden Artist biography about the life and work of this abstract sculptor, so you don’t need to research
- “Big Ideas” reflection worksheet where students write about their art process
- Self-assessment worksheet so kids can think about how they performed during the project
- Art grading rubric which assesses expectations, craftsmanship, work habits, creativity, and clean-up
- 8 “I CAN” Statements aligned to the Studio Habits of Mind to use during instruction or post on your bulletin board
- 4 Art exit tickets with quick, thought-provoking prompts
- Art history coloring pages to keep kids inspired by Romare Bearden’s collages outside of the art room
Ways to Use This Romare Bearden Collage Project
This art project is flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your art room and beyond. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, and even for virtual art class or an after-school art club.
You Will Receive
- 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Romare Bearden Art Project)
- 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint
- 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
- Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource
Why You’ll Love It
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I taught this lesson in 5 classrooms from grades 3 to 6. Not only did they learn about mixed media art but specifically about the artist, Romare Bearden-a bit about his life and the struggle within his life as an African American. This lesson brought up good discussions about him and African Americans.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This lesson was well-received by all three middle school classes to whom it was presented. One student even took her drawing home to paint and finish over the weekend – a sure sign of motivation and engagement. I expect to use this lesson again next year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Normally I would have done some kind of similar in class project with my kids – 5th grade music – after we’ve been studying jazz and tie this in with Romare Bearden. I was able to use this for the kids as a jumping off point to create collages with the things that they had at home.
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
Heather B. –
Great resource for teaching collage. The resource provides great ideas for students to utilize within their artwork.
Areli R. –
My students loved learning about the Harlem Renaissance for Black History Month. They were very engaged in creating the art with lots of choice!
Kristina W. –
Fun activity for students! I love these art lessons!
Kristin P. –
The kids loved this art project as part of their Harlem Renaissance unit.
Erin P. –
This is a wonderful resource. It was perfect for the needs of my classroom. Thanks so much!
Shannon N. –
I used this with my gifted 2nd graders last year. I plan to use it with 5th grade this year.
Christina C. –
The kids loved having some of the cutouts ready to go and I love the different options of completing the project.
Leslie G. –
We used this for out monthly art lesson about Musicians in Art. This kept students engaged and having fun. I do think it was unnecessary to add the painted music sheets or color scribbled in the background. Each design is so unique and they made it their own.
Jenny B. –
Wonderful resource!
Daizees Doodles (Teacher-Author) –
Great Resource for artist of the month! Thank you!
Davina Y. –
I taught this lesson in 5 classrooms from grades 3 to 6. Not only did they learn about mixed media art but specifically about the artist, Romare Bearden-a bit about his life and the struggle within his life as an African American. This lesson brought up good discussions about him and African Americans.
Mr Conways Social Studies Classroom (Teacher-Author) –
This lesson was well-received by all three middle school classes to whom it was presented. One student even took her drawing home to paint and finish over the weekend – a sure sign of motivation and engagement. I expect to use this lesson again next year.
Lindsey P. –
Thank you for this wonderful resource and art lesson on an artist I probably would not have been able to teach my students about on my own. Their finished products were such a delightful, colorful addition to our classroom.
Latisha R. –
Very fun and engaging! My students loved this!
Jennifer G. –
My students loved this art activity! Thanks for sharing this!
Stephanie F. –
Grade 8 had fun and I added a lesson before about different artists and musicians. Great activity.
Alice T. –
Really cute thank you 🙂
Jaime C –
Great resource.
The Caffeinated Chaos Coordinator (Teacher-Author) –
Great activity. Thank you.
jesse B. –
Students created pictures in the style of Romare Bearden’s collages. They enjoyed this immensely.
Brandi M. –
Very nice – very creative – end product is lovely – wish it came with some cut-outs for the younger set.
Susan M. –
Easy options for students and for me to prepare materials as we social distance in class!
JENNIFER E. –
Great product!
MARISA KEITH –
Tied this lesson to their learning about the Jazz Age in Music class and the kids LOVED it!
Heather L. –
Normally I would have done some kind of similar in class project with my kids – 5th grade music – after we’ve been studying jazz and tie this in with Romare Bearden. I was able to use this for the kids as a jumping off point to create collages with the things that they had at home.
Ashley M. –
Great product!