Materials
Green, red, and brown tempera paint
Small containers
Plastic or metal forks
Construction paper, 9" x 12" (23 cm x 30 cm) in white, dark blue, or black
Rectangular sponge, about 1" x 2" (3 cm x 5 cm)Cotton swabs
Star stickers, optional
Instructions
1. Ahead of time, place the paint in individual containers.
2. Before you begin the project, show the children an evergreen tree outdoors or in a book.
3. When the children are ready, show them how to dip the fork tines in the green paint and gentlywipe the excess off against the side of the container. Press the fork onto the paper in the shapeof an evergreen tree or triangle. Tell them to dip the fork in the paint again, if necessary, addingto the painting until a tree shape is complete.
4. Have the children paint the tree trunk using the sponge and brown paint.
5. Finally, have the children dip the cotton swabs in the red paint and dab on some berries and, ifdesired, add a star sticker to the top.More to doMore art: Use different kinds of evergreen branches as paintbrushes.Movement: Dance to music using small evergreen branches as fans.Science: Have the children add animals to the painting to reinforce a lesson on habitat. Gatherassorted kinds of evergreen branches and discuss how they are different and alike.
