Frida Collaborative Wings Mural | Fun Addition to Cinco de Mayo Celebrations!

Frida Kahlo-inspired Collaborative Wings Mural …using tessellation pieces! A unique community building activity for teachers and students. This resource includes English and Spanish options. Use it during Hispanic Heritage Month, Cinco de Mayo, or any time of the year!

You've seen them. You've stood in front of them. You've had your picture taken in front of them, or you've seen someone who has. I'm talking about those murals that inspire you to stand in front of them and have your photo taken. Now, your students get to make their own motivational mural (using paper) for Hispanic Heritage Month!

This project is fun because your students will do all the work to customize their final mural and then get to stand in front of and/or take their picture with Frida Kahlo's inspirational quote, 

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?" 

"Pies, ¿ para qué los quiero si tengo alas para volar?"

How it works... 

1. Students will each work on their individual "feather" (tessellation piece). Using the custom tessellation shape that I have designed, your students will create a collaborative mural that connects the individual with the group. 
2. Then, their "feather" will join perfectly (tessellate) with those from the rest of the class to make the final pair of class wings. 
3. Display the final wings with the Frida Kahlo's quote banner (available in English and Spanish) above the final mural for the ultimate inspiration that anything is possible despite obstacles that may seem in the way.
4. When your students are finished, they will have two large wings that your students can stand in front of and have their picture taken, or just be inspired by the powerful message of Frida Kahlo.

Students will be amazed at how their pieces all connect (tessellate) to make the final wings—and they'll be proud to show their friends and family which part they created. Hopefully, you can hang the final poster in a place where other students and adults can come and have THEIR pictures taken and be inspired by Frida Kahlo as well. 

INCLUDED IN THIS RESOURCE: 

• Feather Tessellation Pieces: I have included 10 designs and a blank piece. It's important to note that you will need right-side AND left-side pieces to make a complete set of wings (all included). (English & Spanish included). Options: You could adapt this resource in so many ways. Here are a few ideas.
  • You could print the feather designs on bright, colorful paper. 
  • You could print some blank feathers on bright, colorful paper and work those blank feathers into your design. 
  • You could print some blank feathers and have your students create their own designs. 
  • You could print some blank feathers and have your students creatively write inspirational words and work them into their designs. 

• Frida Kahlo Quote Analysis Writing: I have included a tessellation piece with a writing prompt asking your students to analyze Frida's quote (English & Spanish included). 3 Options Included: 
  • Thicker lines for younger students. 
  • Thinner lines for older students. 
  • A blank tessellation design in case your students would like to answer this question more creatively—instead of on lines. 

• (Optional) 12 Biography Tessellation Pieces:I have included these biographical pieces as an option you can use for Hispanic Heritage Month (or any time of the year). If you choose to use these with your students, have them color the pieces and mix them into your final wing design. (English & Spanish included). I have included the biographies for the following people:
  • Frida Kahlo
  • Sonia Sotomayor
  • Ellen Ochoa
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • César Chávez
  • Dolores Huerta
  • Selena Quintanilla
  • Juan Herrera
  • Roberto Clemente
  • Diego Rivera
  • Celia Cruz
  • Jennifer Lopez

• Instructions: All the instructions you need for this project are included. (English)
• Teaching Video: I have included a teaching video you can use with this project. You will have access to this video after your purchase. Streamable from YouTube or Downloadable from Dropbox if YouTube is blocked at your school. (English) If your students have already seen the tessellation instruction portion of this video, you can start at 4:47 for the instructions on this project. The video is 11 minutes long.
• Frida Kahlo Biography: Frida is a fascinating woman and artist. I have provided a short biography for you, so you do not have to do this yourself. This is also in the teaching video. (English & Spanish included)
• Frida Kahlo's quote 5-page banner: I have included this banner with the option to let your students color it however they want, and I have also included a copy where I have assigned the colors. (English & Spanish included) 

I hope this project will unite your class/school community and lead to meaningful conversations in your class!

More meaningful Hispanic Heritage Month Activities.

I have several other fun Frida Kahlo resources, including:

• Frida Kahlo's "The Frame" Collaborative Poster
• Frida Kahlo Portrait Collaboration Poster
• Meet the Master Artist: Frida Kahlo
• Art Escape: Frida Kahlo (Grammar Edition) Escape Room-style Challenge
• Famous Faces® of Art History Collaboration Poster

And Frida's image is included in my Famous Faces™ of Hispanic Heritage, Famous Faces™ of Women's History, and Famous Faces™ of Art History posters, as well as my Conversations about GRIT resource.

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Remember! You don't have to be an art teacher to infuse art into your classroom—you need to know one. That someone is me! Thank you for trusting me with your art infusion activities. 

Jenny K. 

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