Romare Bearden Collage Game

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

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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.

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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.

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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.