STEAM Ahead
Chicago Height/ Park Forest, Illinois
Science Technology Engineering Art Math

Colors, Shapes, and Symmetry Lessons 1-4:


Colors & Mosaics


exploring the connection between colors and feelings

Grade Level Focus: 2nd Grade
School: 21st Century Primary Center 
Teaching Artists: David Sprecher, Jordan Knecht
Classroom Teacher: Andrea Mele
Materials: watercolors or crayons, pencils, paper, small cups, colored paper scraps, paper, glue, scissors
Lessons: 4
Unit: Colors, Shapes, and Symmetry




Summary
Mix colors. Develop social/emotional vocabulary. Create drawings depicting feelings using color. Create paper mosaics. 
Lesson SequenceLesson 1: Overlap circles of translucent primary colors to create secondary colors.

Lesson 2: Read a story which conveys colors and feelings. Create a class vocabulary list of feelings. Use the list to create drawings which depict feelings though color. 

Lessons 3: Observe the work of Alma Thomas. Create mosaics from colorful ripped paper.

Lesson 4: Observe the stencil work of Nina Chanel Abney. Continue working on paper mosaics. Present final mosaics.
Next Generation Science Standards
2-PS1-1
2-PS1-2
K-2-ETS1-1
K-2-ETS1-2
National Visual Arts StandardsCREATING                                    
Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr1.1.2a, VA:Cr1.2.2a
      
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop ideas and work.
VA:Cr2.1.2a, VA:Cr2.2.2a   

Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic work.
VA:Cr3.1.2a

PRESENTING
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic works. 
VA:Pr6.1.2a                                                                                         
RESPONDING
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret and meaning in artistic work.
VA:Re8.1.2a           

CONNECTING
Anchor Standard 10: Synthesis and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
VA:Cn10.1.2a

Anchor Standard 11: Compare and contrast cultural uses of artwork from different times and places.     VA:Cn11.1.2a
Artist Connections
My Many Colored Days

Alma Thomas
Nina Chanel Abney
Mirtes Zwierzynski
Odili Donald Odita
Josef Albers
Kristin Farr
Tauba Auerbach
Andrew Huffman
Brice Marden
Additional Resources:
The Essential Color Theory Artist You May Never Have Heard Of


Color Theory and Josef Albers


Interaction of Color Josef Albers
Work examples:

Lesson 1: Mixing Colors

teaching artists introducing color mixing

creating and presenting color overlaps

Lesson 2: Creating Vocabulary & Color Drawings About Feelings

discussing feelings book creating feelings vocabulary list creating feelings drawings presenting feelings drawings

Lesson 3: Observe Alma Thomas and Create Paper Mosaics

Alma Thomas introducing Alma Thomas creating mosaics

Lesson 4: Observe Nina Chanel Abney, Continue & Present Mosaics

Nina Chanel Abney completed mosaic final mosaics



Colors, Shapes, and Symmetry Lessons

Use these links to view sections of the unit plan.


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