5 sessions; 40 minutes per session

-Students will explore the art of printmaking.
-Students will practice Wet in Wet technique.
-Students will identify ocean creatures through online galleries.
-Students will draw from observation and imagination.
-Students will observe, remark on and analyze art illustrations by Leo Lionni
-Students will find story hints and meaning in pictures
-Students will use their own illustrations to create a narrative

1. "Swimmy" by Leo Lionni
2. http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/photos/oceans-galleries-main/
3. oil pastels
4. watercolors
5. Rock stamps and seaweed stamps/foam.
6. Story Paper

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

1. Read Swimmy to the class. Ask: Ho do you think Leo Lionni created these images? What materials could he have used? Could you write your own words for this picture? What story does this picture tell?
2. Introduce the materials and processes to be used in the project ans send students to computers to research fish and make sketches in their sketchbooks of potential characters for their art.
3. Students draw their fish and color them with oil pastels (demonstrate qualities)
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4. Students color their oceans using wet in wet technique (demo)
5. Students use premade (cork) "sugar candy rock stamps" by painted the base with watercolor.
6. At printmaking stations (demo procedure), students use brayers and ink to print Styrofoam seaweeds (premade)
7. As students finish they take a story paper to name their picture's characters and write the story their picture tells.
8. Students share their stories with the group.

Exit questions:
What are oil pastels good at?
What are oil pastels not useful for?

Reaffirm, Art can tell a story.

Skills checklist

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/photos/oceans-galleries-main/

I make the stamps ahead of time but you could easily have the kids decorate pre-cut styrofoam plates, or try having them do the whole process.

[K-4] Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories

[K-4] Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes

[K-4] Students select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning

[K-4] Students explore and understand prospective content for works of art

[K-4] Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum

Unity/Harmony

Pastel, Printmaking, Watercolor

English/Language Arts, Science

1st grade writing template..docx