Amy Anderson Creativity Lesson Plan

Grade: Kindergarten
National Core Art Standard: Creating
Objective: Students will explore mixing colors and creating a variety of lines.
Method: Students will decorate paper hearts with crayons. The crayons will be used to draw a variety of
       lines and patterns. Then, students will use watercolor over the crayon lines and explore what
       happens when colors are mixed.
Assessment: Assessing creativity is not necessary; formative observation for students mixing colors.
Inspiration Photo: http://www.thesmartteacher.com/exchange/resource/1274/WarmCool_Color_Handprint_Pattern_Watercolor_Crayon_Resist_Painting


Discussion:
Read aloud Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh, stop to discuss what children observe. Explain to children that they will have an opportunity to create different colors of paint by mixing their watercolors. We can make painting more interesting by drawing with Crayons on the paper first. Explain that when we add the paint, children will see a neat surprise.

First we begin with the Crayon lines. Lines are not only straight. What kind of lines have you seen before?
            bumpy, wavy, zig zag, circles, dots, clouds, repeating, etc. A slide show of lines can be shown,
            but encourage children to create and arrange any kind of line they like any where on the paper
            heart. Circulate to support and encourage children as they draw. Reinforce freedom and creativity
            by celebrating different interpretations.

Next we paint over the Crayon with watercolors. Demonstrate how adding water, or not, to the paint can make it lighter or darker- changing the intensity/value. Explain that we can also mix colors to make new colors. No one else's colors will be exactly like the ones you create. You can be creative as you want to be with your paints and mix them however you like onto your heart. Circulate to support and encourage children as they draw. Reinforce freedom and creativity by celebrating different interpretations.

Closure:
Ask students to share about the colors they used from their paints. What colors were mixed? Why did they make those choices? What colors do they see in the ones they created? What worked well? What will they want to do next time? Publish student work by hanging in the classroom.