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Grade: 1-4

Age: 6-10

Activity Summary:

Objectives:

1. The use of a sketchbook to record their ideas.

   Students will be:

   • drawing from their imaginations
   • drawing from real life objects
   • using "how to draw" instructional resources

2. The creation of their own Art Book (portfolio).

   Students will create:

   • several pictures about famous artists
   • paintings/drawings using new materials like pastels, oil crayons, paint
   • drawings/paintings using new techniques like crayon rubbing, pointillism, computer art, printmaking

What You Need:

• Sketchbooks
• Pencils/erasers
• Markers
• Crayons
• Craypas®
• Paint
• Brushes
• Printing ink pad and stamps
• Watercolor
• 12x18 paper
• Plastic binding combs
• Tagboard

• Drawing Lessons From A Bear by David McPhail
• Badly Drawn Dog by Emma Dodson
• The Artist by John Bianchi
• Hands Growing Up To be an Artist by Lois Ehlert
• "How to Draw" books
• Art Reprints (search on Art.com)

What You Do:

Big Idea:

Introduction:

1. Ask the students if they know what a sketchbook is and ask if any of them have one at home.
2. Discuss how an artist uses a sketchbook.
3. Discuss how they will use a sketchbook.
4. Tell the students that because some of them work fast (rabbits) and some work slow (turtles), everyone will be getting a sketchbook to use for the rest of the year in art class. Tell them that It is used whenever there is extra time in art - if they finish their work before other students. It is a special place just for their art ideas!

1. After Intro, read the book Drawing Lessons from a Bear.
2. Have the students say out loud "I AM AN ARTIST!"
3. Hand out sketchbooks and give the following assignments:
   • Draw a picture of yourself on the cover (this is a self-portrait) and write your name and grade on it.
   • Draw one picture inside using your imagination.
   • Draw one picture inside from a "how to draw" book (students can look through the books you have on hand).

1. Read the book - The Artist.
2. Write a list of jobs that an artist can do on the white board.

   Assignment (in the sketchbooks):

   • Draw a beautiful sunrise
   • Draw a rainbow
   • Draw anything you wish (free choice)

1. Read the book - Hands Growing Up to Be An Artist
2. Enjoy the format of the book.

   Discussion (talk about the following):

   • How the family works on hobbies/projects at home.
   • Talk about how the students will be creating their own Art Book. Emphasize that it will take a while to do each picture, but when they are done, they will be able to take it home and show everyone what they learned.
   • Talk about famous artists' paintings.
   • Talk about materials like pastels, oil crayons, paint.
   • Talk about new techniques, pointillism, computer art, printing.

   Assignment:

   • Make a picture inside the sketchbook using a new material.

Activity/Vocabulary Ideas for the Sketchbook:

• Van Gogh - Starry Night Crayon Rubbing, Markers, Expressive, Texture, Brushstrokes [lesson plan here]

• Edvard Munch - The Scream Oil Pastel, Crayons, Bold Colors, Movement, Emotion [lesson plan here]

• Piet Mondrian Compostion in R-Y B - Paint, Primary Colors, Shape, Line [lesson plan here]

• Leonardo DaVinci - Mona Lisa Watercolor, Crayons, Portrait, Depth (showing near and far)

• George Seurat - Sunday Afternoon In the Park Marker, Dots, Computer Pointillism, Landscape [lesson plan here]

• Wassily Kandinsky - Improvisation Printing, Non-Objective [lesson plan here]

Conclusion:

Recommended Books:

• Drawing Lessons From A Bear by David McPhail
• Badly Drawn Dog by Emma Dodson
• The Artist by John Bianchi
• Hands Growing Up To be an Artist by Lois Ehlert
• "How to Draw" books
• Art Reprints (search on Art.com)

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