LESSON ACTIVITY PLAN

 

 

 

AGE LEVEL: 4 TO 5

  

NUMBER OF CHILDREN: Whole class participation, done individually at the children’s own pace.

 

INSIDE OR OUTSIDE: This is an indoor arts activity.

 

LESSON DURATION (MINUTES): With group time 30+ minutesActivity alone 15-20 minutesDuration of the activity will vary depending on the children’s individual abilities and interest. 

 

 

EARLY CHILDHOOD FRAMEWORK LEARNING OUTCOMES

COMMUNITY

2.4.1 As the children soak in information about the type of illustration in the story “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, they will then take this new found knowledge and use it to explore and project their own ideas through the use of art.

 

COMMUNICATION

5.3.3 As children partake in creating their very own tissue paper caterpillar, they are using the creative arts to express their ideas and make meaning.

 

Prerequisite knowledge and/or links to previous/future lessons:

There are no specific prerequisites required to participate in this activity.

Fine motor skills, hand and finger muscle control and manipulation skills would make this activity easier, but they are not compulsory. 

This arts experience would be used as a follow up activity for the storybook “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. It could also be used as an activity to promote the children’s learning in regards to the topic of insects.

 

Resources required

-Paper

-Drawing mediums (pencils, markers, crayons)

-PVA glue

-Glue brushes

-The Very Hungry Caterpillar book.

-Printed pictures of the very hungry caterpillar

-Tissue paper

-Scissors

 

 

ASSESSMENT

Observations, pictures and learning stories can be taken during this activity to assess the children’s learning and engagement throughout. By assessing the children’s engagement during the experience, this will allow for identification of learning and developmental opportunities. From these assessments new interests and abilities can be identified, and children’s learning and development can be assessed, measured and documented. These assessments will aid with future planning of activities, experiences and overall programs.

Specific areas of interest throughout this activity would be the assessment of children’s fine motor and manipulation skills, as the children cut and paste the tissue paper to make their picture.

 

 

LESSON

 

 

Lesson Introduction

During a group time experience, have the children come together and read the Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. Before starting the story tell the children to pay close attention to the illustrations in the story. Explain that Eric Carle uses tissue paper and many various methods to produce his illustrations. If there is access to multi media devices or an interactive white boards, use the website http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html, and show the children the slideshow which explains how Eric Carle creates his pictures. After you have read the story, promote a discussion around the pictures in the story. Ask the children questions such as-How do you think these pictures are made?-What kinds of materials do you think he uses?-Can you think of any other books that have pictures like these?After the children have shared their ideas and knowledge, move into the explanations of the activity. Explain to the children that we will be using Eric Carle’s method. This includes cutting out tissue paper shapes, gluing them down and overlapping them to make new colours.  Once you have explains the process of the activity, let the children go and allow them to make their way over in their own time.     

 

 

Main Component of Lesson

Once the children begin the activity, encourage them to use the Eric Carle tissue paper method. Ask them to take a look at the caterpillar and draw it down onto their paper. Once they have drawn their picture, prompt them to begin adding the tissue paper over the top. Tell them that they need to try and cut the same shapes they have drawn onto their paper. Once the children have cut a few tissue paper shapes ask them to glue them down. As the children progress through their work they will become more confident in their abilities.

Once the caterpillar picture is complete, ask the children what else they see in the picture. Get the children to add to their picture by adding fruits, leaves or a cocoon.

As the teacher supervising the activity, my job will be to encourage and support the children throughout. Guiding them through the steps of the activity. As the children work on their caterpillars I will ask them questions and begin discussions around the table to gather an understanding of their understanding of the processes and methods being used and their overall interest and engagement.

 

As the children participate in this activity the overall learning and developmental aims include,

-The further development of fine motor skills.

-The development of hand and finger manipulation skills.

-The ability to use scissors correctly.

-Gaining an understanding of various art methods.

-Development of insect and life cycle knowledge.

-Development of social and language skills.

 

 

Lesson Conclusion

As the children finish up their pictures, I will take a minute to sit down with them and discuss their finished product. This could be done through a short discussion or through the asking of questions relating to their work. Some questions that could be used are,

-What do you like about your picture?

-Can you tell me what this is?

-How did you do ____ ?

-Why do you like your picture, which part is your favourite?

-What would you do differently next time?

-Do you like learning about the using different picture making methods?

 

At the end of the discussion I will ask them if they would like to display it up on the wall or whether they would like to take it home.

You could also extend this activity into the next group time by doing a whole class sharing activity, where the children come together to talk about and share/show their art work with their peers.