IMAGINARY SEEDS
Unit Overview
Big Idea: Nature and Fantasy
Content Statement: Students will explore elements of nature from a fantasy perspective.
Objectives/Expected Learner Outcomes
Students will understand ways in which to incorporate fantasy into the real world. The will demonstrate an ability to create texture, form, patterns, shape (2D) and form (3D). Students will also demonstrate an understanding of the plant life cycle and plant/seed relationships.
Standards of Education
Art
3.2 The student will describe and use steps of the art-making process, including brainstorming, preliminary sketching, and planning, to create works
of art.
3.4 The student will use imaginative and expressive strategies to create works of art.
3.7 The student will use the following in works of art:
1. Color—intermediate, warm, cool
2. Space—positive, negative
3. Balance—symmetry, asymmetry, radial
4. Pattern—motifs
Science
3.8 The student will investigate and understand basic patterns and cycles occurring in nature. Key concepts include:
1. plant life cycles.
Student Group Targeted
3nd grade
Time Required
2, 40 minute sessions
Lesson 1
Materials and Resources- white paper, crayons and markers, resources: images
Itinerary and Instructional Strategies
Key Terms
1. seed/seed pod
2. plant cycle
3. pattern
4. texture
5. fantasy
Discussion/Questioning Strategies
What is a seed? What is the plant life cycle? What textures, patterns, and forms are found in seeds? How do seeds resemble the plants they grow into? What does fantasy mean? How can we use fantasy to inspire imaginary plants and seeds?
Demonstration
Brainstorm with the students various ways to approach plants/seeds using fantasy as inspiration, concentrating on shapes, textures and patterns.
Student Independent Practice
Students will draw their fantasy plants, using two textures and patterns.
Closure
Clean up. If extra time occurs, students will answer critical thinking questions (on tables) and/or have a chance to share how they interpreted different sounds.
Time Flow
10 minutes- Discussion/Questioning Strategies
20 minutes- Student Independent Practice
10 minutes- Closure
Evaluation Strategies
- Before moving from discussion to independent practice, student will be asked questions reviews concepts, vocabulary and assignment.
- Students will review critical thinking strategies on tables after clean up.
- Students should demonstrate in their work:
- An understanding of seed/plant relationships and the plant life cycle.
- An understanding of textures and patterns.
Lesson 2
Materials and Resources- white paper, tempera paint, paint brushes, resources: seeds, Rob Kesseler
Itinerary and Instructional Strategies
Key Terms
6. seed/seed pod
7. plant cycle
8. fantasy
9. line, shape, color
10. balance
11. pattern
12. warm/cool color
Discussion/Questioning Strategies
What is the relationship between a seed and a plant? How can we create seeds that represent the plant they produce? How can we use line, shape, color and pattern to do this? What is balance? What are the differences between warm and cool colors?
Demonstration
Demonstrate how to use either warm or cool colors for the seed and the opposite colors in the background. (Half the class will begin with warm, the other half with cool, and they will switch halfway through class.)
Student Independent Practice
Students will use their imaginary plants as inspiration as they paint the seeds that produce those plants, focusing on color, line, shape and pattern.
Closure
Clean up. If extra time occurs, students will answer critical thinking questions (on tables) and/or have a chance to share how they interpreted different sounds.
Time Flow
10 minutes- Discussion/Questioning Strategies
20 minutes- Student Independent Practice
10 minutes- Closure
Evaluation Strategies
- Before moving from discussion to independent practice, student will be asked questions reviews concepts, vocabulary and assignment.
- Students will review critical thinking strategies on tables after clean up.
- Students should demonstrate in their work:
- An understanding of seed/plant relationships and the plant life cycle.
- An ability to use line, shape and color to create pattern.