As part of our Rainforest unit, we talked about Rainforest insects and I would show a Powerpoint with various beautiful caterpillars and other odd and unusual insects. Then I read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Day One: I set out circle tracers on each table so Kindergartners could trace five circles close together on white paper. Next, Kindergartners placed their paper over "texture plates" and rubbed colorful crayons over the texture plates, using a different plate for each circle. At home you can use sand paper, burlap, lace, or other textured flat objects. Day Two: Students cut out the circles and glued them onto dark green or dark colored paper (we used glue sticks) making sure the circles touched. Then they used crayon to add legs or antennae. To complete their colorful caterpillars they glued on colored paper eyes or two google eyes and a mouth. Alternatively, you can have students paint the circles with tempera cakes or watercolors.
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Embarking on a unit about the Rainforest, third graders enjoyed a virtual reality trip to the Amazon using our Virtual Reality (VR) glasses. Students were so excited they could barely contain themselves. They moved down a huge kapok tree, seeing sloths, an anaconda, birds, butterflies and then traveled down the Amazon river to a cave. The video showed examples of the destruction to the Amazon rain forest and discussed the importance we have in protecting this fragile ecosystem. Next, we talked about threats to these endangered animals from humans, slash and burn destruction and logging of the forest and discussed their ideas to fix this problem. I showed them a Power point of Birds of Paradise, macaws and other exotic birds and all grades studied a variety of Rainforest insects and animals. Finally, they drew and painted their tropical birds with watercolors, including unusual feathers, colors and designs.
To kick off this endangered animals unit, fourth and fifth graders enjoyed a virtual reality trip to a rain forest using our VR glasses. Students were so excited they could barely contain themselves. They moved down a huge kapok tree, seeing sloths, an anaconda, birds, butterflies and then traveled down the Amazon river to a cave. The video showed examples of the destruction to the Amazon rain forest and discussed the importance we have in protecting this fragile ecosystem and its endangered animals. We reviewed last year's research on endangered animals, and discussed how each creature's habitat is important and unique. Some animals like lions live in the savannas of Africa, others in the depths of rain forests. Students brainstormed ways to save the animals and their habitats Then, I guided students in drawing a lion including a stylized mane with various colors and designs. Some chose to do a frog, zebra, parrot, chameleon, and even a few dragons!
January in Michigan brings biting cold and lots of snow - time to get outside to build snowmen, go sledding, snowboarding and skiing. The week before the holidays we watched the delightful 1982 animated classic "The Snowman" which shares the story of a little boy's adventures with a snowman he builds. This is no "Frosty the Snowman" movie and features excellent hand drawn original animation and music. Next students painted the snowmen and snow leaving room to add details the week we returned from break. I stressed the importance of showing their snowmen having some wild winter fun! Then we glued on cloth scarves, hats, sleds, skiis, and other details. No boring-just-standing-around snowmen for us!
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March 2024
AuthorMy name is Mrs. Krupa and I'm an elementary art teacher at Oxbow Elementary. I'm a professional harpist turned art teacher of 20 years. I'll share art lessons and ideas on these pages, what works and doesn't. Enjoy! Categories
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