KINDERGARTEN BIRDS NESTS

Kindergarten Birds Nests

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Kindergarten Birds Nests using ceramic techniques learned in class
• Use warm/cool colors (red, orange, yellow; green, blue, purple), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and texture (implied, actual, visual) inspired by American Painter (1785-1851) John James Audubon
• Use forming techniques (smoothing, trimming, cutting) and design principles (balance, movement, proportion) based American Art
• Define Visual Interest ( a quality that grabs the viewers attention and suggests to the viewer something is relevant)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1.  American Robin (1960) John James Audubon
2. Whose Nests by Guy Troughton
3. Discussion Questions "How strong can you make a birds nest? will your birds' nest stay together in the wind? How deep does your nest need to be to keep the eggs safe? Will your birds' nest be comfortable? What happens if it rains? Will water collect inside or drain away? Where do you find nests? Do most birds build nests? Who has found nests before and where were they found? What do birds use to make their homes? Where do birds build nests? What time of year do birds usually build their nests? What kind of materials do you think birds would use to make nests?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use forming techniques (smoothing, trimming, cutting) to make three spheres out of air dry clay of the robin eggs of sculpture
2. Use a cardboard square to fill the background with warm colors (red, orange, yellow) of the Birds Nests
3. Use metallic colors (bronze, gold, copper) to fill in the background of the Kindergarten Birds Nests

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Kindergarten Birds Nests for Assigned Table
2. American Robin (1960) John James Audubon

3. Discussion Questions "What is going on in this artwork? What are the lines being used in this artwork? What are the colors being used in this artwork? How did the artist use space? How did the artist use balance? How did the artist use proportion? How does your eye move throughout the artwork? What choices did the artist make to make that happen? How would you describe this artwork to someone who has never seen it? What elements in this painting seem real? What elements seem dreamlike or imaginary? What is exciting about this work of art? Why do you think the artist created this work? How do you think this artwork was made?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add a circle in the center of the painted paper before adding highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow) for the illusion of twigs
2. Cut brown construction paper into two inch strips overlapping them to make the illusion of twigs
3. Add found materials (straw, string, grass, pine needles, leaves) by overlapping for the Kindergarten Birds Nests

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Kindergarten Birds Nests for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (tacky glue, painted paper, found material)

Lesson Activities

1. Use cool colors (blue, green, purple) to fill in the positive space (eggs) of the Kindergarten Birds Nests
2. Use tacky glue to glue down found objects (straw, string, grass, pine needles, leaves, clay eggs) of Kindergarten Birds Nests
3. Cover Kindergarten Birds Nests with a clear coat of the Mod Podge for a glossy finish

Artist Examples

Student Examples