First Session
Impressionist landscape prints (Monet or Cezanne are examples - available
in books at the library)
Pictures of cloudy skies, clouds at sunset (selection)
11" x 14" white kid surface vellum bristol paper (1 per student)
Tempera paints - yellow, orange, red, magenta (selection to share)
Cotton swabs (2 per student)
Wedge shaped foam make-up sponges (Purchased at grocery/drug store)(1 per
student)
3" x 3" squares tin foil (2 per student)
3/4" drafting tape for border on edge of paper (1-2 rolls, 60 yd. )OPTIONAL
Second Session
Impressionist landscape prints (Monet or Cezanne are examples)
12" x 18" black paper (1 per student)
Construction paper scraps - yellow, red, orange, blue, brown (selection to
share)
White Glue or glue sticks (1 per student)
Scissors (1 per student)
Photographs of landscapes and cityscapes (selection)
First Session
1. Optional - Teacher or older
student should tape border before start of activity and carefully and slowly
"untape" after work is dry to create white border.
2. Display picture and prints of
different kinds of cloudy skies - cumulous, cirrus, and stratocumulus. Ask
students to compare and contrast how clouds differ in shape, color and direction.
3. Display pictures of clouds at
sunset. Have students note the variations in color and the effect of back
lighting. Land and buildings appear dark or black in front of a sunset sky.
4. Ask students to visualize a
very dramatic sunset. Tell them they will be using the whole sheet of white
bristol paper to paint a sunset sky, but without using paint brushes. Allow
time for visualization.
5. Demonstrate how sponges can
be twisted and turned to make fluffy clouds, or they can be dragged to make
streaked clouds. Crumbled tin foil can be dipped in paint and stamped to add
texture. Q-tips can be used for small clouds in the distance. Tempera colors
can be overlapped, but not more than two colors overlapped in one place.
6. Students paint skies at sunset
with no horizon. Horizon will be established during second session.
Second Session
1. During the second hour session,
display pictures and paintings of cityscapes. Have students observe and discuss
the differences in shape, size, roof line and window arrangement of different
buildings. Ask students to squint and focus on the negative space or space
in between the buildings. Squinting simplifies the picture by blocking out
the details to see the main shape.
2. Students cut at least 3 building
shapes out of the black construction paper making sure to vary size, shape,
and roof line. (flat top, "A" frame, diagonal, etc.)
3. Windows (using "lit"
or "dark" colors), doors, and street lights are cut out of colored
construction paper scraps and glued onto buildings.
4. Students first arrange buildings
on painted sky to create interesting negative space (space not used).
5. Buildings are then glued on
sky within margins of the paper.
SCIENCE: This project can be incorporated
into a unit on clouds and weather. Students can study what kind of weather
is associated with what clouds and what clouds are most common to our area.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Architecture unit
provides opportunity to explore cultural differences throughout the world
along with why one type of construction is used over others in different areas
of the world (weather, tradition, expense, etc.). 5th graders and above discuss
different types of "homes" including homeless, homeless shelters,
apartment, duplex, single family house.
