Content Focus: Visual arts

Language Focus: writing, listening

Vocabulary Focus: watercolor terminology, content area vocab

Standards:

• A.A.Cr.7.m: Investigate and expand knowledge of studio skills, techniques, materials, tools, and elements and principles of art and design.
• Add additional standards for your subject/content being assessed.
• National Standards:
  • Visual Arts Standard: Students create and present works of art that demonstrate understanding of the elements of art and principles of design.
  • Language Arts Standard: Students write to communicate ideas effectively, using appropriate conventions and organization.

 

Arts Integration: 

• Watercolor Techniques: Understanding various techniques such as Wet on Wet, Wet on Dry, Dry Brush, Gradients, and Resist Art.
• Assessment Reflection: Writing reflections about what they learned in each segment of their poster.
• Creativity in Expression: Encouraging personal expression through the choice of techniques and design in their poster.
• Artistic Process: Recognizing the importance of practice and experimentation with watercolor.

 

Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to assess their learning by creating a watercolor poster that demonstrates their understanding of the topic covered in class.

Activities:

• Demonstrate each watercolor technique using visuals and live demonstrations. Students will practice each technique on paper after each demonstration you model.
• Students will create their watercolor poster using different techniques they learned.
• Set expectations: Maintain a clean workspace, respect materials, and focus on their creative process.
• Provide a rubric outlining the assessment criteria for the poster.
• Have students share their posters in small groups, discussing the techniques used and what they learned.
  Ask each group to highlight a unique aspect of their posters.
• Students will write a reflection on how they felt about the process of using watercolor to express their learning and what they might do differently next time.

 

Engagement/Introduction: 

• Begin with a brief discussion about the role of art in expressing understanding. Ask students:
  • “How can art help us show what we’ve learned in class?”
• Introduce the project and display examples of watercolor techniques.
• Address the common misconception:
  • “Watercolors are only for painting pictures,” by explaining how they can also be used to express ideas and concepts.
• Students will practice each technique on paper after each demonstration you model.
• Monitor their progress by circulating and providing feedback.
• Use scaffolding questions such as:
  • “What happens when you apply paint to wet paper?”
  • “How can you create a gradient effect?”
  • “What texture do you notice when using salt?”

 

Assessment Procedure: Students will complete a watercolor poster that includes written reflections in each section, showcasing their understanding of the topic and the watercolor techniques they practiced.

Materials: Watercolor Paints, Watercolor Brushes, Watercolor paper, Waterproof Markers (Sharpies work), Salt, White Crayons, Rubbing alcohol in a small spray bottle, Plastic Bags or Plastic Wrap and Bubble Wrap (cut into smaller pieces), Sponges, Spray Bottle of Clean Water (to prep watercolor palettes), Clean Water (having two would be even better), Paper Towels

Modifications: For older grades you could make it more difficult by having two cards of each emotion and give one to each student. They would look at the card and put it down at their desk. They would then move around the room demonstrating what emotion they received and have to find their match (the student who had the other card of the one they had).

Supporting Documents: Lesson Plan, Folder

Contact: Kari White (whitekari@aasd.k12.wi.us)