Kaleidoscopes Inspired by Yayoi Kusama: A STEAM Project with adaptations for PK – 4th Grades

Last year, I designed a STEAM lesson wherein students build a kaleidoscope. I liked the lesson, but felt it could be more rigorous. While looking at the art of Yayoi Kusama it occurred to me that there is a natural connection between kaleidoscopes and her work. And, thus, this lesson was reborn (and I think it is SO much more interesting, rigorous, and relevant to art and to students). I hope you enjoy the project! If you teach this to your students, please give me a shout on social media; I’d love to see what they create. . .And, as always, please enjoy the free, but be cool. Please don’t reproduce my work for personal or professional gain.

Materials Needed

You will find all of the templates, worksheets, and rubrics you need here.
This lesson is standards-aligned for Visual Art, Math, and Science. You can find standards listed at the bottom of this post.
You will need craft tubes (toilet tubes), mirrored silver cardstock (3 strips/student cut into 4 inches x 1.5 inches), straws (cut in half), markers, clear tape, and scissors
Here are the Math Slides for PK, TK, & Kinder on Big and Small Circles
Here are the Math Slides for the 1st and 2nd Grades on Halves, Quarters and Fourths
Here are the Math Slides for the 3rd Grade on Circle Fractions
Here are the Math Slides for the 4th Grade on Measuring and Drawing Angles