Creating a Classroom Coloring Book

Coloring books have made a serious comeback, with all kinds of new offerings including adult coloring books and the ever-popular zentangle versions. Why not challenge your art students to create their own classroom coloring book, with each student contributing one page? Not only will it be a fun lesson for your students, but you’ll also create a totally usable, 30+ page coloring book. Below are some things to consider as you get started:

Style

You’ll want to select a style for your book to ensure consistency throughout.

Zentangle is extremely popular right now and lots of fun to teach and learn. Students start with an outlined shape, add a “string” through the center to start their tangles, then begin “tangling” their string with connected patterns and shapes until the inside of their shape is completely covered in patterning—lots of fun to color.

Manga is another popular style that might be fun for your class’ coloring book. Round heads, large, exaggerated, sometimes rectangular eyes, spiky hair, and little bodies are the trademarks of this Japanese comic book style.

You may also be able to translate some of the artist lessons you’ve done with your class into a theme for your coloring book. For example, if you’ve studied Georgia O’Keefe or Monet, you may choose to create coloring pages outlined in these styles.

Theme

Your theme will depend on the age/ability level of your students.

Younger students might do well with a theme like farm animals or flowers. Older students may be able to sketch objects found around the school or landscape scenes of the campus or surrounding community.

You can even try a more esoteric theme, like “school spirit” and leave it to your students to creative express their own, individual interpretations.

Distribution

Depending on your budget, you may be able to print a copy for each student who contributed a page to the book or maybe you’re able to print copies for the entire school. You might even consider professionally printing and binding your books to sell as a school fundraiser, with the profits going toward next year’s art supplies or a special art field trip.

Will you try creating a classroom coloring book? Which styles will you employ? We’d love to hear your plans!