Description/Objective
This is a two part project best done on two different days. During the first part of the project, students gain awareness of cloud shapes and colors. They experiment with painting materials other than brushes. The second part of the project focuses on building shapes and spaces.
Time
Two, 1-hour sessions
Materials
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)
Procedure
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.
Subject Matter Integration
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.
Variations/Extensions
1. Different themes can be used to vary this project, such as a "city of the future", a "western ghost town", or a "haunted house" for Halloween.