If Picasso Built a Snowman . . .

 If Picasso Built a Snowman * * *

Grade Level: 3rd Grade 

Summary:

In this lesson, students will be able to understand the technique of cubism with the help of the artist Pablo Picasso. They will then create their own snowman, using various mediums, that are inspired by the cubist movement and Picasso. The lesson started off with a Keynote presentation of information over Pablo Picasso and his work of cubism. The presentation included, definitions, years, who Picasso was, his family, his work, and what the students are going to learn/execute. After the completion of the presentation, students will go step-by-step with the teacher on how to draw the snowman with a pencil. After sketching out the snowman, details and all, students will then outline in a black marker. Following that, it becomes very independent work. Students will work with crayons to color their snowman, make their own designs, and choose their own color palette. After the completing of their snowman, they will take a white oil pastel and make snowflakes on their background. Watercolor will be the background and since oil is resistant to water, their snowflakes will show up underneath their blue and purple sky. The teacher demonstrated how to work with watercolors. Finally, when the students are working on the last details, the teacher asks who the artist they learned about, what movement did they participate in, and reiterate the great job that they did. Their art goes on the drying rack and later displayed proudly in the hallway.

Extension Activity: 

An extension activity for this lesson could involve science. Students could learn about how snow is formed as well as what makes it not melt when it hits the ground. This could involve the water cycle as well. An assignment that can go along with their learning that involves science would be a presentation in small groups. This presentation would consist of different elements of the water cycle and how different regions are affected like the midwest, south, west and east coast. This project would do really well in the winter time, like January. With this presentation as well, students will learn cooperation skills with their peers as well as presentation skills that are essential in their later years of their academic career.