This blogging community is full of super cool people with amazing ideas and lesson plans. Often times, I'll find an idea that is interesting and change it or add to it to suit my student population. It is beyond rare that I find a lesson that I duplicate outright. I've done just that with this project.
I take absolutely no credit for this lesson. All the props go to Mrs. Knight at Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists. This post popped up in my Pinterest feed and I immediately repined it to use this year.
The project is all about the secret underground lives of ants. What goes on in their maze of subterranean tunnels? What if ants were more like us? My students immediately latched on to this project. We initially got all up in the science and talked about ant body parts and habitats. Next, we discussed personification in the illustrations of Beatrix Potter and others. Next, we got to the art.
My students and I had a blast brainstorming about all of the incredible things that could be happening underground. In the end, my second graders produced some highly creative artwork that we were all proud of.
Download my version of the lesson plan!
Caterpillars have again invaded Thomas Elementary as the first finished art project of the year. We've been in school for about three rotations now and I'm just posting. Sorry for the lull. (What an odd word lull is. As Mitch Hedberg would say, "It's almost all L's.") Bonus cool points if you know who Mitch Hedberg is.
I feel like teaching first graders at the beginning of the year is somewhat akin to a lion tamer doing his job. I don't see kindergarden students here, so first grade is the first time these kids have ever been in the art room. The beginning of the year is all about establishing routines and expectations for behavior. Also, for the 17th time, we won't be painting on the first day of art in first grade. Thanks for asking.
I've used this as my first project of first grade for several years now. It's a nice way to show the kids were a few supplies are located in the room and have them follow some simple steps. The kids all really enjoy working with the texture rubbing plates and the results are nearly 100% successful.
