Students focused on observation during this Georgia O’Keeffe inspired lesson. Students chose a picture of a flower. They used what they learned about O’Keeffe’s use of color and shape to draw the flower on their paper using pencil. Students focused on drawing large and filling the entire paper. Next, they added color to their flowers using oil pastels. The use of oil pastels allowed the students to blend the colors together to create a sense of realism in their work. The last step was to add watercolor paint over the entire picture. The results were stunning!

Students learned about the printing process by drawing an underwater creature or object onto a piece of Styrofoam using a wooden stylus tool. Next, they used a brayer to roll ink onto the printing plate to make a print. Students experimented pulling prints by printing onto plain white paper and also a tissue paper collage background. The final prints were fantastic and filled with incredible details!

Students learned about the celebration of Mardi Gras that takes place every year throughout six of the seven continents. They created a Mardi Gras style mask by painting, drawing designs and embellishing using feathers, sequins, gems, beads and ribbons. Students were encouraged to incorporate the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold into their designs. Their finished masks were unique in every way!

Students learned about Ancient Egypt and Hieroglyphs. They used what they learned to create a Cartouche. Cartouches were name plates used to identify a royal person. Students first translated their first name into hieroglyphics. They practiced drawing these word symbols to spell out their name. The symbols were transferred onto a rock board using pencil. Students used a wooden stylus tool to carve away the rock, like Ancient Egyptians would have carved into stone. Students had the option to arrange their names vertically or horizontally. Finally, students carved an oval around the symbols believed by Egyptians to protect the name inside.