Under the Sea in Kindergarten. An on the cart modification that worked!

 I teach a basic shape drawing project to kindergarten called "Under the Sea."  For years it has been successful.  I draw on the board as kids give me ideas and they practice drawing along.  Then they are responsible for making their own under the sea picture on watercolor paper to paint and create a wax resist.  I made a modification of it for my sub lesson book "The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons."

This year, I wanted to teach it, but the thought of a 30 minute kindergarten class watercolor painting in their classroom gave me nightmares.  I taught the lesson as usual.  I substituted watercolor paper for 80lb. drawing paper and told the students to color in everything nice and hard with crayons.

The next art class, we put the finishing touches on our crayon drawings and crumpled them up!  I prepped a tub of blue tempera mixed with water.

Students came up to the tub individually and we dipped their papers in the blue water.  I set them on a dryrack I had pulled into their classroom.  The next day they were completely dry and looked beautiful.  It solved the 28+ kids painting in a classroom for 30 minutes problem and the turned out really cool!

Anyone can teach art! Complete sub lesson "Under the Sea" now available for download.

I recently published "The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons."  It is a compilation of 12 complete lessons for the art teacher to leave on her desk in case a sub is necessary.  Maybe you aren't interested in 12 complete lessons right now... don't worry, you can pick and choose one at a time!  Click the links to learn more about each lesson and see a preview of the pages.

Under the Sea is now available for download!  This lesson teaches basic shape drawing.  Complete with all written instructions, examples, and a how to draw handout.

Superheroes!  Is now available for download!  This lesson asks your student to brainstorm and design their own superhero.

Spring has Sprung is also available!  This lesson teaches basic shape drawing and the parts of composition in a landscape drawing. 

Out of this World now available.  This lesson concentrates on the parts of composition, landscape drawing, and imagination!

On the Farm, now available.  This lesson concentrates on basic shape drawing and composition.  It comes with a detailed lesson, tons of examples, and a drawing worksheet.

Available now, Let's Face it! Basic shape drawing and portraiture lesson.  Complete with examples, a ton of illustrations, and beautiful worksheets.

The Name's the Thing!  This lesson combines, color schemes, design principles and fancy handwriting.  Includes a handout on how to write fancy letters.

 It's a Zoo! This lesson concentrates on basic shape drawing and composition skills.  Comes with an easy "how to draw" page and very detailed directions.

Also available, Big Butterflies.  This lessons concentrates on balance and pattern.

Available for free is Candy House. This lesson combines fairy tales and architecture and has great illustrations and a brainstorming page.

Bas-Relief Fish Bowl in Model Magic - Pre K to first grade

Materials

Pencils

Sketch paper

Soft Air Dry Clay (Model Magic)

Modeling tool or Plastic Knife

Watercolor Paint

Brushes

Water cups

Tempera Varnish

Procedure

1.  Discuss creatures that live under the sea.  Together, using basic shapes, draw many sea creatures and fish found in the ocean.  Show photographs and fine art featuring sea creatures and show students examples of sculpture and bas-relief sculpture. 

2.  Each student should receive about 1oz. of soft air dry clay.  Students should quickly rip their chunk in half and roll each chunk into a sphere. Have students take the larger of the 2 spheres and flatten it into a pancake using the ball of their hand.
3.  Using the modeling tool or the plastic knife, students will slice off the top of the pancake to make a fish bowl.
4.  Take the sliced off portion (the top of the circle) and start tearing it into a bunch of small pebbles. Once they have a small pile, they may attach them to the bottom of their “bowl.”  The soft clay will attach without hatch marks, slip, or glue.  Students will just need to press firmly. 

5.  The second sphere will then be flattened into a pancake.  Using the modeling tool or plastic knife they will gently scratch their fish or sea creature on this pancake. If necessary, demonstrate on the board how to draw a simple fish using ovals, triangles, and circles. The students will cut the fish out and reshape it onto the surface of the bowl.  Using the rounded edge of the modeling tool students may add texture to their fish to show scales.  The extra soft clay may be used to add plants or bubbles or more fish!

6. Once fish bowls have air dried, students will stain their fish bowls with watercolor paints.
7. Finally, a coat of tempera varnish to the entire front side of the bowl will make the bowl shine!

see more at:  http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=5541099&exhibit=195682&gallery=y