Goal (Terminal Objective):

Students will learn about the importance of protecting our natural resources. Artist Wyland has been painting large sea murals and promoting the protection of our marine life since 1993.

Objective:

Students will make a drawing using oil pastel based upon marine life.

National Standards:

Visual Arts Grades K­-4 Content Standard 1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes

Visual Arts Grades K­-4 Content Standard 2: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

Visual Arts Grades K­-4 Content Standard 6: Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines Science Cross Curriculum Connection

Purpose:

Students will study ways to conserve water and protect our natural resources.

New Vocabulary:

Ecology, Eco System, Marine Life, Conservation

Materials:

#32­2007 Metallic Oil Pastels

#23-40xx 50 ct. Construction Paper Pack

#22-7244 144 ct. Graphic Pencils

Pictures of Marine Life: Examples from Books, Postcards, Calendars, Pictures off the Internet, etc., blue construction paper, pencils, & Q­Tips

Time:

50 minutes

Introduction and Motivation (Set):

If a computer lab is available, take students to the lab and have them visit Wyland’s web sites. They will be able to see some of the murals he has painted around the world and be able to interact with an on­line survey where they will promise to conserve our natural resources.

Instruction:

If there aren’t any computer labs available, the teacher can supply pictures of ocean marine life from books. A few posters can be inexpensively purchased from Wyland’s on­line store that the teacher can display in the classroom. Wyland’s books may also be available for check­out at the local library or may be purchased from a bookstore. The teacher will discuss the problems that are polluting our oceans with the class. The teacher will discuss water conservation with the students.

Activities:

(1) Guided Practice:

1. Give students examples of ocean marine life from books, pictures they print from the internet, postcards, calendars, etc. Let the students draw from these pictures to make their sea life drawing. Let the students draw in pencil first! Blue construction paper works great for an ocean background!
2. Demonstrate to students how to color with the oil pastels and how to blend the colors together. Teach students to use the lightest color first, so the darker colors don’t get dirty. Show students how to layer the oil pastels on top of each other. Show students how they can blend the pastels together using a Q­tip.
   
   Light colors first.
   
   Blend out oil pastel with a Q­tip.
   
   Layer 2nd definition color on top of 1st light color.
   
   Blend 2nd color with a Q­tip.
   
   Blending yellow with green layered on the top with a Q­tip.
3. Teachers can discuss the Principle of Design: balance, and how it relates to creating an underwater sea picture. Teachers can discuss the Element of Art color as they show students how to blend two colors of oil pastel together in their drawings.
4. Allow students time to color in their drawings. Have students write a tip about water conservation and attach it to their papers.

(2) Independent Practice and Check for Understanding: Teacher will ask the class questions about water conservation during the art­making experience.

(3) Closure: Students will display their pictures on a bulletin board in the classroom or somewhere around the school where they will promote water conservation.

Evaluation:

Level One -­­ Students created an oil pastel drawing in which the drawing is well balanced, it demonstrates successful blending of two colors together, and a tip for water conservation is attached to his/her drawing.

Level Two ­­- Student created an oil pastel drawing in which the drawing is somewhat balanced, but no colors are blended together, and a tip for water conservation is attached to his/her drawing.

Level Three ­­- Students created an outline drawing of ocean marine life using oil pastel, but there is little control over the coloring. The picture may or may not be balanced, and no tip on water conservation is attached to the drawing.

Level Four -­­ Students created an outline drawing of ocean marine life using pencil, but never finished the drawing using oil pastel.

Extension:

Teachers can take this lesson further by having the students write a report about ocean life. Students could do a fundraiser to contribute to Wyland’s ongoing water preservation efforts. Donations are accepted on­line.

Resources:

www.wyland.com
www.wylandfoundation.org
www.oceantreasures.net/wyland.htm
www.wylandgalleries.com
www.beachcalifornia.com/lbwyland.html