In a lesson combining art with science, fourth-grade students were invited to closely examine a flower, leaf, or other natural specimen. They identified parts of the plants using vocabulary learned in science class, and made an rough sketch, annotating their drawing with vocabulary words. Then, they attached a piece of acetate (overhead projector sheet) to their sketch with masking tape. Next, the students outlined their sketch on the acetate first with white oil pastel, and then shaded their specimen with additional colors, all while continuing to carefully observe their specimen. Finally, the students chose a color of construction paper that complemented their illustration, and attached the acetate to the paper using clear tape.
Materials: magnifying glasses, paper, pencil, oil pastels, construction paper, tape, flowers and plants.
Basic Instructions:
1. Examine the plant with your magnifying glass. Identify the parts of your plants from your science word list.
2. Sketch your plant: concentrate on lines, drawing the outline of the plant and the edges that you see. Fill the whole page with your drawing.
3. When using oil pastels, layer colors from light to dark. First, cover the surface of your flower with a light underlayer of white or yellow.
4. Then, experiment with making marks and using different colors side-by-side. Try making your marks go in the same direction of the petals or leaves that you’ve drawn.
5. Blend the colors by rubbing them together gently with your finger.
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