• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Homeschool and Elementary Spring Art Lesson: Watercolor and Black Glue Symmetry Butterflies

Second Grader

Second Grade

I am an art teacher.  I often look to the internet for ideas for art lessons. I have decided to start a series of art lessons on Eco Child’s Play to inspire homeschool parents and teachers.

It is best to buy eco-friendly art supplies, but we don’t always have access to them.  The lessons I provide will not necessarily be eco-friendly per se, but there is always a way to tie them into the environment, nature, conservation, etc.

This month my class has created butterflies with liquid watercolors and black glue.  Our focus has been symmetry in nature.

Fourth grader

Fourth grade

Homeschool and Elementary Art Lessons:  Watercolor and Black Glue Symmetry Butterflies

Grades 2-4

Time frame:  two lessons

Supplies needed:

  • [amazon_link id=”B00251AIO0″ target=”_blank” ]Watercolor paper[/amazon_link]
  • Pencils
  • [amazon_link id=”B000QYLCWK” target=”_blank” ]Sharpies[/amazon_link]
  • [amazon_link id=”B005V9W9RM” target=”_blank” ]liquid watercolor paints[/amazon_link]
  • White glue, like Elmer’s, mixed with black tempera paint (prepare before lesson)-Optional

Art Themes: Symmetry, warm/cool colors, art element of lines

Day One

  1. Discuss symmetry.  Ask children to brainstorm examples in nature of symmetry (our own bodies being the prime example).   Symmetry has been tied to our perception of beauty in the human face.
  2. Look at images or scientific drawings of butterflies focusing on symmetry.  Have children complete a sketch in their sketchbooks or on paper if they don’t keep sketchbooks.
  3. Fold watercolor in half.  Children draw half a butterfly. Go over the pencil lines with Sharpie.
  4. Flip the watercolor paper over so that children can trace the other side of the butterfly insuring symmetry.   It may be helpful to tape the paper to a window for the children to see through.  Make sure you tracing onto the correct side to make a complete butterfly.
  5. Now go over each line of the completed butterfly with the black glue.  I make this ahead of time by pouring the white glue out of the squeeze containers, mix it with black tempera paint, then with a funnel put the black glue back into the squeeze bottles.  Children may want to practice on a separate sheet of paper.  It doesn’t take much of a squeeze to get the glue flowing.  If the children drew too much detail, the glue will blob in those spots.  Some symmetry will also be lost as the glue flows, but this inspires a good discussion.  (This step may be skipped. The black sharpie lines will provide enough contrast).  Allow the glue to completely dry before moving on.

 

Third grader

Third grade

Day Two

  1. Provide children with sheets of different colored paper and ask them to sort them.  Ask the children to explain why they sorted the paper the way they did. This should be done in groups.
  2. Some groups may sort by warm and cool colors.  If not, sort colored paper for them and ask them why they think you sorted the paper as such.  Discuss warm and cool colors referencing the emotions they evoke and color wheel.
  3. Give children liquid watercolors in only warm colors. I prefer the liquid watercolor for its vibrancy.  Children paint the inside of their butterflies with warm colors only.   Review symmetry before painting!
  4. Have children select one cool color for the background.
Fourth grade

Fourth grade

These projects turned out really well!   I was impressed with how the multigrades I teach were able to grasp the concepts and create beautiful pieces!

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« iCoffee: First ever steam brewed coffee maker
Pool Safety – Make The Kids Aware, But Don’t Scare Them »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

It’s Time to Quit Plastics and How to do It

Reduce Plastic Waste with re-brush Eco-Friendly Toothbrush

More from the archives!

MRSA in Our Pork

Baby Deserves the Best: Super Soft Luxurious Cashmere Made With Sustainable Style

Ecover Bottles Now 100% PlantPlastic

Mother's Milk: An Eco Child's Play Series to Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week

Made in the USA: Blessed Nest Organic Buckwheat Nursing Pillow

COVID Back to School: Helping children cope with uncertainty

covid19 pregnancy

Does the Coronavirus Attack the Placenta and cause 2nd Trimester Miscarriages?

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy
logo
Food Advertising by

Naturally Designed SuperCandy: Snap Infusion (Beware Vegetarians of Gelatin)

Think-ets: Tiny Trinkets for Imaginative Play

Breastfeeding liver disease

Antibacterial carbohydrates found in breast milk

Hank D and the Bee: Bad Idea

MC Yogi – Be the Change (The Story of Mahatma Gandhi)

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Green Toys Inc – Recycled Toys Made in the USA

Daily Tip: Plant an Organic Winter Garden

New MU Study: BPA “Demasculinized” Mice Making Them Undesirable

Neuroscience supports natural parenting

8 Ways Neuroscience Supports Natural Parenting

Autism and the new Celiac Disease Link

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoPrivacy policy