Weather Watercolors
In this lesson Kindergarten students were introduced to the paint medium of watercolor as a way of exploring and deepening their understanding of the weather, which they are learning about in English and Science. They explored different watercolor techniques such as painting a puddle (wet on wet), action painting as the wind, experimental substrates such as coffee filters for making suncatchers, and applied these skills to create accordion books showcasing their knowledge of how rainbows are made. This unit introduces students to a variety of artists such as Jackson Pollock, Maynard Dixon, Georgia O'Keefe, and Ay-O, scaffolds them through building skills in a new medium, links art and classroom learning, and helps to practice art class structures and routines.
Learning Objectives
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Students will be able to explore watercolor techniques.​
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Students will be able to describe their process while creating art.
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Students will be able to describe what kinds of weather the key artist examples depict.
National Core Arts Standards
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VA:Cr2.1.Ka – Through experimentation, build skills in various media and approaches to artmaking.
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VA:Cr3.1.Ka – Explain the process of making art while creating.
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VA:Re.7.2.Ka: Describe what an image represents.
Understandings
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Art can be used as a tool for exploration and deepening understanding.​
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Nature is a common theme for many well known artists.​
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Artists and designers experiment with forms, structures, materials, concepts, media, and art-making approaches.
Studio Habits of Mind
Develop Craft: Practice and showcase skills, style, and class routines in a new medium.
Understand Art Worlds: Learn about how artists study nature in different ways.
Stretch & Explore: Take prior knowledge about the weather and apply it to artmaking.
