Inspired by Monet's "Water Lilies" and Lobel's "Frog and Toad"

Claude Monet is one of my favorite artists, and I have always loved his Water Lilies paintings, so I share a book of his artwork and life with my students each year.  His art inspired one of our favorite art projects.  This project has many steps, so you have to be patient, but the end product is worth it!  It appeals to both boys and girls and makes a big impact when hanging in the hallway.  We first trace and cut two flowers from watercolor paper and paint them with watercolor paints on both sides.  The flowers are folded and attached with a small flower cut-out and a paper fastener, then to a traced and cut out green lily pad.  The students then use oil pastels to make waves, ripples, and reflections on blue posterboard.  We attach the lilies and lily pads, then stamp a frog and a dragonfly on each.  Finally, we hang them together in the hallway to mimic Monet's huge paintings of water lilies.  I love them, and so do the kids!