Art Standards:
• Elements of Art: line, color, shape, value, space
• Principles of Art: repetition, balance
• Observation & description using art vocabulary
Insect Investigation
Students will discuss the characteristics of insects and look at examples of drawings by Maria Sibylla Merian, a noted entomologist. Using real and photographic examples, students will draw an insect in its habitat and complete the diagram with labels. 1 session.
Jungle Story Map
Students will explore maps, learning basic symbols and vocabulary by looking at the book “My Map Book”. Then, we’ll imagine walking in a jungle, mapping it in picture form as we go. We’ll label the map with a legend using textures, symbols and place names. 2 sessions.
Sea Turtle Resist
This exciting project starts with drawing the outline of a sea turtle with Elmer’s glue on black paper. We’ll also look at sea turtle science including migration and endangered status. After drying, the turtle is filled in with colorful soft chalk pastels. 2 sessions.
Cityscape Collage
Using cut paper shapes in a colorful collage, students will learn the basics of creating space through variation in size, color and overlapping and textural detail. 2 session.
DIY Musical Instruments
The dance ensemble STOMP exemplifies the use of ordinary things that can act as musical instruments. After watching a short excerpt from one of their performances, students will examine the science of sound, then create a musical instrument from recycled materials. 2 sessions.
Dinosaur Dictionary
Students will create a picture dictionary with words that relate to dinosaurs. We’ll study the parts of a dictionary entry, look up words and illustrate each entry with a picture. 3 sessions.
Winning Picture Books
We’ll look at a collection of Caldecott Medal-winning picture books and discuss why illustrators win this award. Then we’ll pick a favorite and create our own illustration in a similar style. 1 session.
“My Many Colored Days”
This Dr. Seuss read-aloud involves discussion about the emotions of different colors: warm, cool, light, dark. Students will discuss some of the symbolic meanings of color then create a tempera painting expressing their mood. 1 session.
Carle Style Textural Collage
Carle Style Textural Collage
In session one, students will create sheets of painted textures and a background. In session two, we will use the cut shapes out of the textures to create an animal collage similar the work of Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar). 2 sessions.
Beginning Watercolor Techniques
Using watercolors can be tricky, but this class will cover basic techniques include wash, wet into wet, salt and texture. Students gain a basic knowledge of watercolor techniques and how to properly use materials. 1 session.
Color & Value Basics
Students will learn the basics of color mixing by creating a color wheel and value scale. Then they will paint a monochromatic seascape (using one color plus black and white). We’ll also look at examples of how artists use color and value in their work. 2 sessions.
