OVERVIEW
Students enjoy having choice of things to do and subject matter. Stations are set up and the class will split into several groups, rotating– – –
Grades 1 – 2
Week of May 5 – 9
1 Hour & 30 Minutes
Student Work
Lesson At A Glance
Here’s a brief overview of the complete lesson. It’s also on your prep page in the Ready, Set, Go! section (below the lesson).
Colored buttons jump to each section in the full lesson plan below.
10 Minutes – Artists’ Choice with drawing objects
10 min – Explain 3 stations
5 min – Separate into teams
20 min – Overlapping shape trace
20 min – Wax & pastel paintings
20 min – Oil pastel and watercolor painting
5 min – Everyone helps
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LEARNING TARGETS
Students know how to use their imagination
M A T E R I A L S
- 8.5″ x 11″ copy paper
- 2B Pencil
- White Eraser
1.1 Greet
Kneel down so that you are on their level. Bending over emphasizes the differences in your height, while kneeling makes them feel more important. Have tape and marker ready so you can stick some tape on the table by each student and write their name on it as they sit down.
1.2 Choice
IDEAS: Have lots of toys and objects out all over the table, sitting on clean sheets of paper to isolate them from the table and other background imagery. Simple and familiar shapes are good to find, such as animals. Toys that have cartoon characters are surprisingly difficult and create some frustration. Round objects like bowls and fruit are fun and easy too.
Encourage students to work with one piece of paper for a while. If someone uses the phrase, “free draw”, explain that artists’ choice is something only artists can do, while free-draw is something anyone can do. You want to use the phrase to elevate the students’ expectations of their work.
Everyone should take their time with the work and make a finished piece of art. Limiting the paper can also help kids focus on the work. If someone finishes in super-fast time, ask them what more they can do to the existing paper. Ask again several times – unless they appear overly frustrated; then you can allow them to move on to a new work.
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LEARNING TARGETS
Students know how to listen to instructions
2.1 teach
First Stop Intro
Shape Trace & Color
“Here we have Shape Trace & Color. You can do a shape trace where you make a picture of a person, or you can do crazy shapes, which make what we call an abstract work of art. The shapes for the person can fit together, but the crazy shapes are large so that you have to overlap 3 or 4 of the shapes. This creates new shapes where they overlap.
After you trace in black marker, you’ll fill in each shape area with oil pastels. Each area should have 3 colors that you layer over each other and blend.”
“Here you’ll make a picture out of pure color by melting oil pastels! There are bowls of shavings from some of our oil pastels. You can place the bits where you want them and then we’ll use the iron to melt and press them. The picture will change and spread some after ironing, so be ready for that.
You’ll need to be patient, not use too much of the pastel bits, and wait your turn for the pressing. Can we all agree on that? (Yay!)”
“This Stop uses watercolors but first you’ll make an oil pastel drawing, and then the paper is soaked with water. You paint it last.
There are 3 pictures for reference, and you’ll choose any color you want to draw it with. Only make the outlines though.
After drawing, you will spray the paper with the water bottle until it’s all wet. Then we wait a moment for it to soak it. After blotting off the puddles, you paint with watercolors and they’ll spread all over the paper like magic! The colors will be all over the place, so it may not go exactly where you want, but that’s what makes this fun. Watercolors don’t usually do exactly what we think.”
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LEARNING TARGETS
Students know how to listen to instructions
3.1 teach
Separate into teams: You can use fun team names like, Ultramarine team; Green team; Magenta team; etc.
- count off
- group by natural friendship groups, or
- choose yourself by handing out colored team tickets. Keep them secret until they’re all given out so you can make your best choices based on personalities if you need to.
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STEP 4. First Stop
Students will create a Shape-Trace & Color drawing with marker and oil pastels. 20 MinutesLEARNING TARGETS
Students know how to create art independently
M A T E R I A L S
- Sketchbook paper from large sketch pad
- Reference PDFs
- 2B pencil
- Erasers
- Black markers
- Oil Pastels
- Blender sticks
- Paper towels
4.1 print
iNFORMATION
Shape Trace Abstract
Hand out prints.
3 Pages – Opens in new window
4.2 draw
4.3 overlap
4.4 color
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LEARNING TARGETS
Students know how to make abstract art
M A T E R I A L S
- Colored and/or white heavyweight paper cut in half (or quarters if you want to save on materials).
- Oil Pastel shavings in small bowls – see slideshow below
- Wax paper
- Low heat iron
- Cardboard base to iron on
Abstract Art (tap any image to open viewer)
GrateOrShave
Use a knife or cheese grater before class to make a bunch of shavings in 6 to 8 colors. If you get bigger chunks, you can dice them down in the bowl. Have paper towels handy to clean your hands in-between colors.
SprinkleDesign
Place some shavings in a design on a colored background paper. BE CAREFUL NOT TO MOVE the paper after this step, so make sure the iron can reach where the work is being made.
WaxPaper
Set a sheet of wax paper over the design
Ironing
The iron will create a neat effect
MeltedArtSample
Finished work will show some wax and oil spots on the background paper. Don’t bend it! The oil pastels will crack.
5.1 place
Students can pick colors one at a time, and move them around or sprinkle. Keeping warm colors together and cool colors together, will help make the picture stay bright. Mixing colors will create fun effects. However, a cool and warm color together can sometimes mix to create a brown, gray, or maybe a “yucky” color.
Abstract designs work best.
5.3 iron
Be gentle. Have cardboard base to iron on, not table. Use your discretion for allowing kids to iron or not, depending on their abilities and attitudes. Do not overwork the heat, but there should be no difficulties. You can see the melted picture through the wax paper. Sign and set aside to take home.
Demonstrate that the iron is very hot, by sprinkling water on it. Even if it doesn’t sizzle, it should steam off quickly.
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LEARNING TARGETS
Students know how to paint with watercolor and oil pastel
M A T E R I A L S
- Watercolor paper – 11″ x 15″ or so
- Reference on stand (PDF below)
- Water tubs
- Brushes
- Palette or plate
- Water spray bottle
- Oil pastels
- Smocks
- Paper towels
Brushes should be nylon for springiness and durability. Round brushes are the most versatile.
Paint pigment list:
- Napthol or Pyrrol Red
- Hansa or Light Yellow
- Pthalo Green (blue shade)
- Cyan or Cerulean Blue
- Ultramarine Blue
- Dioxazine Purple
- Magenta
- Burnt Umber
- Raw Sienna
- Titanium White (professional grade only)
6.1 Print
Reference
Landscape Line Reference
Cut images apart and print enough for each student to choose from several.
2 Pages – Opens in new window
6.2 choose
6.3 draw
6.4 wet
6.5 paint
Use watercolors to paint and watch the background colors spread into the wet paper. The colors will spread out when the brush is touched to the paper. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
Help students to not overdo the watercolors and keep cool colors away from the warm colors. Also explain that the colors spread out and you must let them do that all by themselves. The less you work the paper with the brush, the better it looks.
With watercolor, the best artists leave it alone after the color is placed.
6.6 finish
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LEARNING TARGETS
Students know the importance of cleaning up
M A T E R I A L S
- Paper Towels
- Cleaning wipes
- Sink
- Waste baskets
- Well-lit spot for photos
- Camera or phone-camera
7.1 clean
Students clean up their work area.
- Wash hands
- Super-wash brushes if used
- Put art supplies away
- Wipe tables & toss trash
- Remove any smocks (last)
- Check for items on floors and tables
7.2 photos
Try to get photos of your student’s artwork. Find a good spot for quick lighting without highlights or shadows from your hands and device. Ideally in-between two strong lights on each side
OBJECTIVES
- Practice and improvement in visualization, drawing, and managing color
- Understanding how watercolor works on wet paper
- Accomplishment in creating 3 different projects
- Fulfillment from making lots of choices for self-expression
TROUBLESPOTS
Sprinkling too many colors with the oil pastel shavings.
Overworking watercolor by playing with the brush on the paper or by wiping or scrubbing the brush.
ART WORDS
CLASSROOM
PREP
Print all of your PDFs from the lesson plan and cut any references apart as needed.
What your room needs
Here are your printable lists and room prep instructions.
Opens in new window
CLASSROOM
MATERIALS
- 11×17” Copy Paper
- 8.5 x 11” Copy paper
- 4B pencils
- Erasers
- Markers
- Oil pastels
- Blender sticks (stumps)
- Clipboards
- Paper towels
- Colored and/or white heavyweight paper cut in half
- Oil pastel shavings in small bowls
- Wax paper
- Low heat iron
- Cardboard base to iron on
- Watercolor paper (11”x15” or so)
- Water tubs
- Brushes
- Palette or plate
- Water spray bottle
- Camera or camera phone
- Waste baskets
PREVIEW
Week 36
Students will learn cool stuff.
Week 37
Students will learn cool stuff.