Once there was a Snowman: Tall, Tall, Tall

Title of Lesson:  Once there was a Snowman:  Tall, Tall, Tall

Medium:  Elmer’s Glue, Shaving Cream, Construction Paper

Reason for Lesson:  To introduce students to the concept of TEXTURE and help them understand that a variety of textures surround them everyday.  Texture is depicted both literally and figuratively in pieces of art. Sculpture and fabric art will often have a texture that can be felt, while paintings often have a visual feel that may or may not be present when touched. 

Prep Time:  45 min.

Preparation prior to lesson:  15 minutes

Class Time: 45 min - 1 hr

Materials for Snowman/Texture Lesson: 2-4 regular bottles of Elmer’s Glue, 2-4 cans of Shaving Cream, 4 large mixing Bowls, 4 mixing spoons, Plastic spoon for each child, blue construction paper for background, black, orange and brown construction paper for adding detail to the snowman.

Instructions to Lead Snowman/Texture Lesson:  Begin the lesson by discussing with the kids what texture is.  I had the kids walk quietly around the room and feel different “textures”.  I emphasized “quietly” with the kids.  After about a minute I had them all return to their seats and the kids took turns sharing one texture that they felt. 

The kids then drew the 3 circles for their snowmen on the blue paper and then set it aside.  I then had the kids get their scissors out and we cut each piece of the snowman out one at a time. (orange triangle nose, 5 black circles for the eyes and buttons, long skinny brown rectangles for the arms, and a black hat.) I drew the shape of the hat on the whiteboard to help the students.

Next is time to mix the “snow”.  Approximately a half can of shaving cream and about half a regular sized bottle of elmer’s glue works well.  I divided the class in to 4 groups and they each were able to participate in making their own batch of “snow”.  Once mixed I took the bowls away and then went around the room and placed a scoop of snow on each of the circles the kids drew for their snowmen.  The kids used a plastic spoon to spread the mixture and fill in their circles.  

The last step is to place all the cut out pieces of the snowman on to the snow.  The pieces will stick to the wet mixture and dry glued.  No need for any extra glue.

Credit:  How to Teach Texture Art: By Sylvia Branch, eHow Contributor 

Texture Under the Sea

Texture Under the Sea

Medium:  Tempera Paint

Reason for Lesson:  This lesson is to teach different textures in art.  Currently, our 3rd graders are learning about the senses of water; oceans, rivers, lakes, etc.

We chose this assignment so we can touch some cool things in the water; such as fish and the reflection of their skin in the water.  We will briefly discuss currents in the water and what they may look like painted, and then the texture of beautiful colorful coral.  

Prep Time:  20mins

Class Time: (45-minutes instruction/project time) The docent will discuss different textures in art such as layered paints, mixed media using different papers, maybe even a 3-dimentional object.  Also discuss the information in Reason of Lesson.

Materials:  Foil, fish template, scissors, tempera paint, flour, paint brush, water cup , paper plates or trays, blue construction paper (9x12), large ultra fine sharpie color markers, pencil, double stick tape or glue stick   

Instructions to Lead Lesson:

Step 1:  Start with the current of the water.  Explain how currents may be different, some may even be whirlpools.  I liked to include little bubbles in the example too.  Use blues mixed with white paint. 

 

This is an example of the whirlpool, where a little fish may get caught up in the coral reef.


Step 2:  While the background is drying, have the students trace the fish onto the foil piece, using a pencil.  REMIND THEM TO BE GENTLE AS THE FOIL DOES TEAR EASILY WITH ANY FORCE.  Cut carefully.

Now the student should put on ANY design on the fish using the Sharpies...a little design or a lot..their choice.

Step 3:  Now for the real fun, the coral (this is where a teacher helper is helpful!)  Using paint colors of RED, ORANGE, YELLOW and GREEN, place a small amount of paint onto your tray, and then mix in about a tablespoon of flour.  You want the paint to have a fluffy-like, chunky-like texture.

Next, Dab on your paint.  Do NOT use stroke, just dabs

The finished project should have lots of texture!

This example is great to show what strokes will do to the painting, the lower right red coral was stroked on and the result was flat.  Plus when it dried, it curled the paper.  Dabbing will produce less wet and a much better finished project.

Step 4:  Last step is to place on the fish.  Best result is to use a couple stripes of double stick tape.  

Done!