MOONLIT BRANCHES: GRADE 2 LESSON ONE

Concept: Leaves create interesting prints. VA SOLS for Visual Arts (for unit): Visual Communication and Production: 2.9 TSW create works of art from observation. Art History and Cultural Context:2.12 TSW identify works of art and elements of architecture of other cultures. Analysis, Evaluation, & Critique: 2.16 TSW express opinions with supporting statements regarding works of art. Cultural Reference: Nature, students prior knowledge Defined Vocabulary: Print, Ghost Print Overall Objective: Students will discuss the shapes of leaves and learn about what prints are and suggest some things that make interesting prints. Students will use a variety of leaves to create a series of prints (including ghost prints) in a variety of the colors on 9x12 paper. Instruction/Essential Questions: Set up stations with orange, green, and purple paint (Let the students mix them on pallets for a built in color mixing lesson) and three different colors of construction paper. What parts of your body can make prints? How does the bottom of your shoe feel? What other things can make prints?- Discuss the change of seasons-lead towards leaves,color ect.. Why do they change color? Explain that we will be using leaves as our objects to print. Have students observe a few leaves,describe the shapes, lines,textures Notice the difference between the 2 sides. Demo: how to print leaves by painting the entire Back/bumpy side on top of newspaper. Turn the leaf over onto their background sheets, tap it down then use a newspaper cover to hold it in place and burnish it/rub it- no wiggly-Why? it will smear. Look at the results- can we see the shape and veins? if no- why?- too much or too little paint, it smeared. Show how to make a ghost print- Do you think the ghost print will be lighter or darker? Why is the ghost print lighter? Artistic Activity (Time Frame): 25 minutes -Have students fill their paper with a variety of leaf prints in different colors and shapes. Materials: variety of small and medium sized leaves, newspaper, tempera paint, flat bristled brushes, different colored construction paper, rags.

Closure: Review print terms and process.

LESSON TWO: SUMI INK BRANCH Painting

Concept: Art can depict a specific mood. National Content Standards & VA SOLS for Visual Arts: (see unit overview) Cultural Reference: Chinese scroll paintings Defined Vocabulary: Scroll - a roll of papyrus,
parchment, or paper which has been written, drawn or painted upon for the purpose of transmitting information or carrying a piece of art. Sumi Ink - A special black permanent watercolor ink developed to use for scroll writing and artwork.

Overall Objective: Students will observe actual branches and compare them to images of chinese silk and paper scrolls. Students will discuss the mood created in the chinese scrolls and debate why cultures put images in scroll form. Students will create a scroll depicting a moonlit sky and a sumi ink painted tree branch with 4 leaves cut out from their previous leaf printing lesson and glued onto the branch. Asian aesthetic writing is generally consistent in
stating the goal of ink and wash painting is not simply to reproduce the appearance of the subject, but to capture its spirit. To paint a horse, the ink wash painting artist must understand its temperament better than its muscles and bones. To paint a flower, there is no need to perfectly match its petals and colors, but it is essential to convey its liveliness and fragrance. East Asian ink wash painting may be regarded as a form of expressionistic art that captures the unseen.

Instruction/Demonstration: Greet students. Inform them that today will be a very meditative day and that they will be using their eyes to look very carefully. Observe a branch. Explain how

an ant would journey over all the twigs in the branch. Ask students what a scroll is and what it is used for (prior knowledge). DEMO how to paint with sumi ink and a twig. Show students the speed at which to try painting (slowly), and how twisting the twig produces different types of lines. Show how to start with the larger branch side and how to create a network of Vs. Explain that the branches should and will overlap. Check for Understanding/Essential Questions: What do you see in this picture? How does this picture make you feel? Why does it make you feel that way? What country do you think this picture came from? In Asia many artists study nature to learn how to create it realistically. Lets observe a real branch. What color is this branch? How many twigs are on this branch (lets count them!)? Why do you think the branch has more twigs on this side? What directions are the twigs in the branch going? Why do you think the branch is thicker on the bottom? Artistic Activity (Time Frame): 45 minutes List of Materials: Branches, Chinese scroll images, white chalk, circle tracers, grey 9x24 paper, twigs for painting, small round brushes, sumi ink, tubs for the ink, wet rags, scissors, glue, printed images of branches for the tables. Closure: Have students describe the lines found on branches and leaves. How can you change your line when using a stick?

LESSON THREE: Assemble collage

Concept: Artistic license allows an artists to use their imagination to create unique combinations not found in the real world. Defined Vocabulary/Concept: Artistic License - how an artist uses their imagination to create unique combinations not found in the real world. Contour Line - A line the follows the edge of a shape. Overall Objective: Students will cut out their leaf prints, detail them, share with each other, and select one print from the leaf pile to glue (4 or more) onto their moonlit branch scroll painting. Instruction/Demonstration: Review Painting techniques-how to change/vary line quality to create branches. Have students do formative evaluation of their branches compared to real ones. How can they improve their work? Discuss leave placement and selection options- EQ - How can they group them? similar colors, shapes, and or sizes. What would happen in nature? What can an artists do that nature cant. Explain the meaning of artistic license. Have students cut out, arrange, share, trade leaves to create a pleasing combination. Glue down leaves. Explain the meaning of contour line. Add details to leaves using ink and twigs or fine line markers. Extras such as webs, bugs, birds, etc., can be added. If time allows- add Chinese characters to scroll that relate to the scene- tree, branches, leaves, autumn, etc.
1888, Yi Yuwon, 58x37

Artistic Activity: 45 minutes Materials: leaf prints, glue, scissors, fineline markers, twigs, ink, tubs for ink, rags. Assessment: see rubric below

Dragon Pine, Ming dynasty (13681644), ca. 1400 Wu Boli (Chinese, active late 14thearly 15th century) Hanging scroll; ink on paper; Image 48 x 13 1/4 in.

Grapevine and Squirrels, Joseon dynasty (1392 1910), early 19th century Korea Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper; 54 x 22 3/4 in.

Plum, Bamboo, and Rock, 1942 Xu Beihong (Chinese, 18951953)