THROWBACK THURSDAY--The 5 Color Rule

I'm lovin' this linky! Thanks to The First Grade Parade!

For those of you who asked for a copy of my Survival Guide to Second Grade, I have not forgotten about you! I just haven't been to school yet this week to get it off my computer, due to my husband's surgery on Tuesday. Hang tight, and I'll get it to you soon!

Today I want to share The 5 Color Rule with you, originally posted on September 12, 2012.

Quality, not quantity.

Raise your hand if you have ever had a kiddo rush through a coloring project. It seems like it's getting worse and worse every year, doesn't it? Especially now with Common Core, we hardly do any cutesy art projects anymore. So when I give you the chance to color... BUNNIES, SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY!! Instead they scribble on the paper a few times and announce, "I'm done!" Ummm... no you're not. OK, hands down now.

Enter The 5 Color Rule. 

The 5 Color Rule states that students must use at least five colors in all their drawings. The purpose is not so that drawings are pretty and colorful (although they do end up this way). I want my students to take their time and produce quality work. Nothing is more disheartening to me when a student sloppily scribbles on something that I intended to be a keepsake for another student or themselves. An added benefit is students understanding the term "at least." I can usually take a quick glance at a drawing to see if the kiddo has used at least 5 colors. Now I see more pride when students show me their work before turning it in. I love it too when they point out and count the colors. Sometimes a kiddo will come up to me and say, "Look! I used NINE colors!" YAY YOU!! :)

My poster is super simple to make. I took one sheet of every color card stock I could find (thanks, teammie Megan!), die cut circles and randomly glued them on. This poster hangs on my front board. While I still have a few who race to be the first one finished, The 5 Color Rule is definitely helping my students slow down and take more care when coloring something.

I want to create a new poster and get it printed on larger paper, but I have no idea how to make something on PowerPoint larger than 8.5"x11". Do you just resize the paper, save it on a flash drive and take it to an office supply store to print on a larger sized paper? If you know, leave me a comment or shoot me an email. Thanks!! :)