Abstract Animals Lesson Plan

Teacher: Jamie Navone

Grade Level: 4th

Title: "Abstract Animals"

Brief History and Background:

Animals come in all different shapes and sizes. By integrating math we can see the different shapes that make up an animal. Look at several photographs of animals. Compare and contrast their forms by visually breaking the images into simple geometric shapes. To do this, place a piece of tracing paper over a large, side view of an animal such a horse or an elephant. Students will outline those shapes using tracing paper. Students will then use the shapes to make an abstract drawing.

Standards:

1. Know and the elements and principles of each art form to create works.
2. Reflect upon the experience in the group critique.
3. Refine drawing skills using the materials provided.
4. Know and use fundamental vocabulary within each of the art forms.

Goal: Capture animals in abstract drawings, finding the geometric shapes that make up animal faces and bodies.

Objectives: Students will create an abstract drawing using the shapes found in the animal drawings.

Supplies/Materials:

8½ x 11 Sheets of Paper
Pencils
Crayons
Pictures

Teacher Preparation:

Creation of an example so students will understand the assignment.

Introduction to Lesson:

The teacher will welcome the class. The teacher will show animal photographs. The teacher will ask the students what shapes they see within the different pictures. The teacher will announce to the class they will be making a abstract drawings of the shapes found within animals.

Directions:

1. With your pencil draw the simple geometric shapes that comprise the animal.
2. With crayons on construction paper, draw the simple geometric forms that you traced.
3. Combine several simple forms to complete a more complex drawing.
4. Hang your drawing on the wall for the class critique.

Critique/Evaluation/Assessment:

• Have the students hang their work on a wall in the classroom.
• The students can discuss how they felt about the project.

Extensions:

• The students can create another picture.
• The students can work in their sketchbooks.
• Draw different views of the same animal. Compare views to see if the shapes you observe are similar each time.

Time Allotment:

One 45-minute class period.
• 5 minute introduction.
• 30-35 minutes to create an abstract drawing.
• 5 minute critique.

Vocabulary:

Shape- an area enclosed by a line.

Color- effect of light on a surface that enables it to be perceived as different from other identical objects.

Abstract- not aiming to depict an object, but composed with the focus on internal structure and form.

Balance- refers to the way that artists use visual weight or importance in a work of art.

Composition- the way in which the parts of something are arranged, especially the elements in a visual image.

Movement- occurs when art elements move the eye from one part of the work of art to another.

Rhythm- created when an artist repeats any element in a work of visual art and can direct the eye from one part of the work of art to another.

Unity- refers to the ways the art elements work together to form a harmonious composition or arrangement.

References:

Pictures from UArts Library.