7 sessions; 70 minutes per session

1. SWBAT state 2-3 facts about polar bears.
2. SWBAT draw a polar bear using shapes.
3. SWBAT blend oil pastels.
4. SWBAT write about and connect their artwork to facts about polar bears.

1. Polar bear article (attached)
2. Blue construction paper
3. Practice paper
4. Pencils
5. Oil pastels
6. Black construction paper (for mounting)
7. Writing paper

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Day 1: View power point about polar bears. Discuss their environement and why they are endangered. Show students how to draw a polar bear using shapes. Have students practice drawing polar bears for the remainder of class.

Day 2: Review information about polar bears (what they look like, what they eat, where they live, etc.) Have students draw a polar bear with an appropriate background.

Day 3: Demonstrate how to color polar bears and the background with oil pastels. Be sure to talk about how to show the difference between the polar bear and the snowy background by blending blues instead of simply outlining in white.

Day 4-5: Students work on finishing their polar bear drawings.

Day 6-7: Read the attached article about polar bears as a review. Have students write a 5-6 sentence paragraph that connects their artwork to the facts about polar bears (I drew my polar bear white because...etc.). Mount drawing and paragraph onto large black construction paper.

http://artroom104.blogspot.com/2013/02/another-common-core-art-project-polar.html

For this particular project, students could draw their polar bears realistic or in a non-realistic sort of way (wearing scarves, boots, hats, etc.). I let them have that artistic freedom as long as their polar bears looked like polar bears and were in an appropriate setting.

I used this unit last year as a way to incorporate the Common Core shifts. The Common Core is more about having students read and write more about factual information, so this fit in perfectly. It was also a way for them to critique their own drawing.

[K-4] Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner

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

[K-4] Students know the differences among visual characteristics and purposes of art in order to convey ideas

[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

Color/Value, Contrast, Form, Proportion/Size, Shape, Space, Texture

Drawing, Pastel

Science

Interesting Polar Bear Facts for Kids.docx