Let’s Paint!

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Students paint and learn about the styles of various artists and illustrators.

OBJECTIVE

Students Will:

• Read Frida and Miranda's Smile and discuss these artists styles.
• Practice painting and compare it to what they learned about drawing.

MATERIALS

• Frida by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Ana Juan
• Miranda's Smile by Thomas Locker
• The Paint Brush Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla, illustrated by Ellen Beier
• Computer, Kidspiration by Inspiration Software, Inc. (Mac or PC version) or chart paper, or a blackboard for brainstorming
• Paper for painting
• Tempera or watercolor paints (Choose one; don't use both at the same time for students of this age.)
• Pencils
• Containers for water
• Brushes
• Painting easel, palette, and artist's beret (optional)

SET UP AND PREPARE

• Set up painting area with paints, water, and brushes
• Check Kidspiration connection to large screen monitor

DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Read Frida by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Ana Juan and Miranda's Smile by Thomas Locker. Discuss how these artists captured emotions. Discuss the medium these artists used and their styles.

Step 2: Demonstrate how to use tempera or watercolor paints. Demonstrate how to use a paintbrush and how to change paint colors. Demonstrate how to get clean water. Demonstrate how students will clean their painting area and brushes when they are finished.

Step 3: Students will paint a picture or a portrait. This may be done at their desks or in a painting area.

Step 4: After their painting is dry, hang it in a public viewing area or post it on a bulletin board.

Step 5: Using Kidspiration, list what the children learned about painting. How is it different from drawing?

LESSON EXTENSION
Read The Paint Brush Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla, illustrated by Ellen Beier. Have the class paint a group mural.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Teacher observation will assess student participation in listening to the book and contributing to the discussion. Teacher observation will also assess how well the student controls the paintbrush and cleans up any mess. The Kidspiration list will indicate students' growing knowledge of art and artists.

Gayle has been a teacher for 35 years. She has helped teachers throughout the nation learn about technology, the Internet, and creative ways to use both in the classroom.

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