Henri Rousseau was a French artist who painted beautiful rainforest pictures. Have you ever been to a rainforest? Rainforests cover less than 2% of the earth’s total surface, yet they are home to 50% of our plants and animals. We rely on rainforests for 80% of our diet, plus medicines and drinking water. What will happen if our rainforests disappear? What can we do to save our rainforests?

http://rainforest-australia.com/bird.htm
http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/Curriculum%20Info/africa/rfanimals.htm
http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/rainfor/animals.htm

http://www.fineartprintsondemand.com/artists/rousseau/83674
http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/art_and_ecology/art_monkeys.shtm
http://www.postershop.com/Rousseau-Henri/Rousseau-Henri-Der-Wasserfall- 1164410.html

Goal (Terminal Objective):

Students will design and paint a large mural that brings awareness to the endangered species of the rainforest.

Objective:

Students will learn about the rainforest and the endangered animals living in it. Each student will research a selected animal to be included in the mural. The production of the mural will be a process of collaboration and cooperation.

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: Using knowledge of structure and functions

Visual Arts Grades K-4 Content Standard 3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

Visual Arts Grades K-4 Content Standard 4: Understanding the visual art in relation to history and culture

Visual Arts Grades K-4 Content Standard 5: Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others

Purpose:

Students will learn about species of the rainforest and understand why they are becoming endangered. They will learn why rainforests are important to us. They will research rainforest animals. They will learn about the rainforest paintings of Henri Rousseau. Students will work together to design and paint a beautiful mural for their school. It will be a visual message about endangered animals in our world.

New Vocabulary:

Henri Rousseau, rainforest, endangered, species, mural, collaborate, thumbnail sketch

Materials:

#66-3010 colored chalk

#22-9801 8 Well Palette w/brush Recess

#23-1505 Peggable craft glue

#56-6012 Natural Hair Rainbow Brush Assortment

#22-5103 Children’s Smart Smock (light blue color)

#23-5027 60 sheet Sketch Pad

#22-7244 144 ct. Graphite Pencils

#22-0914 12 ct. Pointed Tip Student Scissors Best-Pack

black kraft paper to cover bulletin board(s), white drawing paper

Time:

4-5 lessons (45-60 minutes each)

Introduction and Motivation (Set):

1. Teacher introduces students to the rainforest. Where do we find rainforests? Students look at a world map to identify rainforest regions. Teacher shows many pictures/photos of rainforest species. Discussion includes survival needs of these species and reasons for their extinction.
2. Teacher introduces the artist, Henri Rousseau, and shows several of his rainforest paintings. Discussion includes information about the self-taught artist and his visions of the rainforest. What do you notice about the vegetation in a rainforest? Have you ever been to a rainforest?
3. Teacher introduces new vocabulary.
4. Teacher explains mural art. Students will work together to produce a large mural about the rainforest. Students are given time to select animals to be included in the mural. Students research information on these animals and draw thumbnail sketches of them.

Instruction:

Lesson 1:

Teacher reviews information about the rainforest, endangered animals, and Henri Rousseau. After teacher demonstration, students use their thumbnail sketches to draw selected animals on large paper. They outline them with permanent black marker and paint them with tempera paint. When dry, detail is added. (In mural painting, proportion and size of images may vary. When placed into the mural, smaller animal images will be glued at the top of the boards. They will appear to be farther away).

Lesson 2:

Teacher reviews the rainforest paintings of Henri Rousseau. Several copies of the paintings are available for students to use as they draw their rainforest background on bulletin board(s). Teacher demonstrates “working large” so the mural can be seen from a distance. Students draw the rainforest background under supervision of teacher. Teacher directs drawing the rainforest background.

Lesson 3:

Teacher demonstrates painting the background using paints that have been prepared and put into mixing trays. Students work cooperatively to paint the rainforest background, making sure that painted areas are dry before painting next to them.

Lesson 4:

Teacher demonstrates cutting out the rainforest animals from in Lesson 1 and applying glue to the backs of them. Students then take their cut-out animals and place them into the rainforest mural. Time is given for students to look at the completed mural and appreciate the cooperative work that has been done. Students and teacher make a sign stating the title of the mural and completion date. Students sign their names on the sign as part of the mural team.

Activities:

(1) Guided Practice:

1. Students learn about the rainforest and the art of Henri Rousseau. Students watch teacher’s step-by-step demonstrations and discuss the production of a mural.
2. Students draw original rainforest animals using Sargent Art paints and brushes. The animal images will be placed into the rainforest background painted on black kraft paper.

(2) Independent Practice and Check for Understanding:

1. Teacher circulates around the mural during student work time, answering questions and offering support as needed.
2. Teacher notes students’ understanding of directions and reviews with the class if necessary.

(3) Closure:

1. Teacher helps students glue their animal paintings into the rainforest background. Students take time to view their mural. They invite teachers to bring their students to see the mural. Mural team students take turns explaining the importance rainforests to our lives.
2. Students discuss the importance of respect for individuality.

Evaluation:

Level One — The student completed an excellent animal painting for the mural. The student participated in all steps of the mural production. The student was cooperative and helpful during the production. The student understands the importance of the rainforest to our lives.

Level Two –- The student completed a good animal painting for the mural. The student participated in most steps of the mural production. The student was cooperative and helpful during the production. The student understands the importance of the rainforest to our lives.

Level Three – The student completed a fair animal painting for the mural. The student participated in some steps of the mural production. The student was cooperative and helpful during the production. The student has minimal understanding of the importance of the rainforest to our lives.

Level Four — The student did not complete an animal painting for the mural. The student participated in some steps of the mural production. The student was not cooperative or helpful. The student does not understand the importance of the rainforest to our lives.

Extension:

Students will use teacher-created rainforest coloring page to make small rainforest collages. Color the picture. Draw pictures of favorite rainforest animals on separate paper, cut them out, and glue them into the picture.

Resources:

http://library.thinkquest.org/27257/rainintro.html
http://www.museum.siu.edu/museum_classroom_grant/Museum_Explorers/school_pages/kings/animals.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Rousseau
http://www.artinthepicture.com/artists/Henri_Rousseau/biography.html