2 of 10

Cutting Shapes

In this activity, you will:

● Learn how to use scissors to cut �8-10 shapes

● Arrange your shapes 2-3 different ways

● Glue or tape your favorite arrangement �to a background paper

You will need:

3 sheets of different �colored paper

Scissors

Glue or tape

3 of 10

Cutting Shapes: Organic and Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes are shapes like circles, rectangles, squares, or triangles, that are symmetrical and even.

Organic shapes are curvy, irregular or asymmetrical.

Geometric Shapes

Organic Shapes

4 of 10

Cutting Shapes: Cutting

Start by holding your scissors pointing away from yourself. Make sure to stay seated while using them.

Take one piece of paper and slowly cut a straight line all the way from one edge of the paper to the other.

5 of 10

Cutting Shapes: Cutting Geometric Shapes

Now, try to cut different shapes. Try cutting a rectangle, square and triangle using straight lines.

Cut off the corners of a square to make a circle. Or turn your paper slowly as you close the blades.

6 of 10

Cutting Shapes: Cutting Organic Shapes

To create shapes with different types of edges, slowly turn the paper one way, then the other, as your blades close. See if you can make a shape with a bumpy or zigzag edge.

Cut at least 8-10 different large and small, geometric and organic shapes.

7 of 10

Cutting Shapes: Arranging

Now, arrange your shapes �on your background paper. How many different �ways can you arrange �your shapes?

Will your shapes connect? Will any of them overlap and go on top of another shape?

Glue or tape your favorite arrangement.

8 of 10

Cutting Shapes: Reflection

What new shapes did �you cut?

How did you cut them?

9 of 10

Cutting Shapes: Reflection

What shapes do you notice in this collage by Henri Matisse?

How did the artist arrange the shapes?

Henri Matisse, The Snail, 1953, Tate Modern (cover)

10 of 10

Remote Arts Learning Partnership

Module Two �

Studio in a School NYC Team

Julie Applebaum, Senior Director

Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project DIrector

Writing Team Project Team

Andrea Burgay Jill Slaymaker Belinda Blum Nicola Giardina Paul Urevitch

Traci Talasco Monika Zarzeczna Andrea Burgay Katherine Huala

Graphic Design

Don Giordano

NYC Department of Education OASP Team

Karen Rosner, Director of Visual Arts

Amber Lodman, Arts Program Manager Kaitlin Trammell, Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project Coordinator

NYC Department of Education Visual Arts Teacher Team

Maria Bonilla Susan Bricker Amie Robinson Lara Tyson

These educational materials were created through a partnership with Studio in a School NYC and The New York City Department of Education Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP) and made possible by the generosity of The New York Community Trust.

1 of 10