04 December - Mixed Up Animals

This is a rotating paper project.

Materials:

paper 9x12ish

pencils

sharpie

watercolor paint

brushes

water

Set up:

Set up the tables so its easy for the students to pass their papers on about 10 times (tables of four might be confusing) I had them sit in long rows.

Discussion:

1. Explain project to students:

- It is important to explain to the kids that this is a collaborative project and they will get something totally different back at the end. There have been issues with the final result being unexpected and a couple of girls crying with disappointment when they got the drawing they started!

- It would also be appropriate to discuss (BRIEFLY!) that potty references or other inappropriate things should not be considered "animal parts." In the past there have been wieners and animal defecating and farting on paper! Draw something you'd be proud to show your teacher or your parent!

- Also No words or letters.

- I go over the passing at length and have the kids point in the direction they will be passing their papers. You can also have kids practice passing with blank papers.

- Then brainstorm different parts of animals. Get them thinking about not so basic parts like fins, antlers, trunks....

Project

2. Give each student a blank piece of paper and pencil. They have about 30 seconds to draw and animal part. After 30 sec. tell them to pass their paper to the right. You can also play music and have the kids rotate the papers when the music stops.

3. After about 10 rounds of passing each student should get their original paper back. They now add finishing touches, a background and kids can trace their lines with Sharpie. If there are lines they don't like they can choose not to trace them.

4. Have everyone stop so you can discuss the basics of watercolor with them before they start painting. dip and tap brush, get the paint a little watery (make a puddle), gently swirl the brush in the paint and use gentle strokes to apply the paint. No grinding the brushes into the paint or using the brush like a crayon on the paper.