Early Childhood

The Essential Question
How can animals be depicted in artwork and stories?

Objective
Students will create a polar bear artwork by using basic shapes and oil pastel watercolor resist.

Materials

• 9 x 12" (23 x 30 cm) mixed-media white paper
• 8½ x 11" white computer paper
• pencils
• black markers
• white oil pastels or crayons
• colored markers
• watercolors
• paintbrushes
• water cups
• scissors
• glue
• The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett (G.P. Putnamʼs Sons Books for Young Readers, 2007)

Step 1
Review the Big Idea that artists and authors are inspired by animals and nature. Then review the Essential Question with students to prompt their ideas.

Step 2
Read The Three Snow Bears to students. Point out the lines, shapes, and patterns in the bearʼs clothing

Step 3
Demonstrate how to draw a polar bear on white computer paper using basic shapes such as a circle for the head and an oval for the body. Show how to add scarves, hats, and other clothing and how to incorporate patterns and shapes.

Step 4
After students complete their drawings, have them trace the pencil lines with black marker and then cut out their polar bear.

Step 5
Demonstrate how to create white snowflakes with oil pastel (or crayon) and watercolor resist on the mixed-media paper. Have students repeat this process at their seats; assist as needed.

Step 6
Demonstrate how to glue the polar bear onto the background paper and add colors and details with markers.

Assessment
Did students use shapes to create their polar bear (e.g., circles, ovals, triangles, and rectangles)? Did students use white oil pastel or crayon for their snowflakes and paint with watercolors on top? Did students glue their polar bear to the background paper and add details with colors?

Emily Thaler is an art teacher at Bannockburn Elementary School in Bethesda, Maryland.