For art class this week I wanted to do something connected to the book we are reading, David Livingstone: Africa’s Trailblazer. This is the idea that came to my mind and instructions on how to make it.

Supply List



  1. Print out of the lion’s face coloring page from First Palette.
  2. Glue stick and Elmer’s glue.
  3. A sheet of black construction paper.
  4. Orange, yellow and brown construction paper cut into strips.
  5. A cereal box or other piece of thin cardboard.
  6. Scissors and an X-Acto knife.

Directions

  1. Cut the lion’s face from the paper, removing the mane.
  2. Use a glue stick to attach the face to a piece of cardboard. (Cereal boxes are the easiest for kids to cut. I usually keep a good supply on hand.)
  3. Next, draw flaps on either side of the head.
  4. Color the lion’s face using oil pastels to create texture and depth.
  5. Cut the face out again from the cardboard box, remembering this time to include the drawn-on flaps.
  6. The teacher should then use a one-sided razor blade or X-Acto knife to cut the nose open and a small part around the mouth.
  7. Attach the face to the black construction paper by putting glue on the flaps and bending them behind the face. Apply a small amount of glue under the chin as well. Remember, you can bend the cardboard in order to create depth. I usually help each student with this step so that there is an extra set of hands holding things in place.
  8. Curl each strip of construction paper by holding it with your thumb against a scissor blade and pulling the paper across the blade. (If any of my students find this too difficult, I allow them to glue the strips down flat.)
  9. Attach the strips around the lion’s face using Elmer’s glue.

The finished projects look quite “ROARING!” We hung ours up on the bulletin board outside of our classroom. The kids love to see their work on display.