One of my second graders started coloring his picture in striking colors. I began to think, Wow, what a GREAT idea! Why didn’t I think of that???

The answer to this question is easy. It’s because kids are WAY more innovative and creative than I can ever dream of being. 

The next time I saw this group of students (a week later), I raved about this boy’s decision to make his Rosa Parks portrait so colorful. I showed them some of Andy Warhol’s work and asked them to color their pictures with “unusual, fun, bright” colors.

Yes, they did look at me a little bit strange. But that’s okay. That just means I got their attention. Then they got to work. Many kids had already committed to a brown skin tone for the face, so we left it at that (also great). Others really got into coloring using pop art colors. I think their work came out pretty great!!! 

Pop Art Rosa Parks

I made a beautiful display of them in my room and can’t wait until my other classes see this.

My older students (grades 3-5) are drawing Rosa Parks, and they are as jealous as can be that the “little kids” get to cut and paste the picture!

This project is a bonus activity in my Rosa Parks collaborative grid project, but I include it here for my blog readers for free!

Email Sign Up 

I love to spoil teachers, parents, and administrators who sign up for my emails by sending exclusive freebies, tips, and tricks, as well as special announcements of sales. Not to mention, after you join, you’ll get invited to my “Subscribers Library” of freebies like my Rosa Parks Freebie. 

It’s easy to sign up. You can sign up right here: 

…or you can sign up below  (under “share and save”), and you’ll get my free ebook sent right to your inbox (check your spam folder if you don’t see it).

Then, a few days later, you’ll get information on accessing my subscriber-only library, where you can download this freebie (along with many others). 

The steps are straightforward…

1. Start by cutting out the various pieces.

2. Then, place them in the correct space (I have included a grid version for preschool and kindergarten children with the letter and number written in the spaces).

3. Next, cut out the final portrait.

4. Finally, have students color Rosa Parks with bright “pop art” colors!

This freebie also includes an “unscramble” drawing version of Rosa Parks. This version is ideal for older students, where kids can draw the correct shapes in the grid to show a beautiful drawing of Rosa Parks!

Here is an example from a teacher who used my Abraham Lincoln FREEBIE and did the same fun Pop Art idea with her students.

Over the years, I have created many unscramble portrait activities. You can see them all HERE. Here is an example from a teacher who has used many of my pages.

Last but not least, if you are looking for something that will really WOW your class, you might like the entire lesson on Rosa Parks. You can view it HERE.

Thanks for reading and for making art with your students!

Jenny K.