ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (0) 4 :

4 ) Gather evidence to support how plants and animals provide for their needs by altering their environment (e.g., tree roots breaking a sidewalk to provide space, red fox burrowing to create a den to raise young, humans growing gardens for food and building roads for transportation).

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

Students will begin by describing how humans change their environment in order to provide for their needs. Students will watch a video clip that explains how several forest animals alter their habitats, and then explain how other animals might change their environment in order to survive. At the conclusion of the lesson, students will create a drawing that illustrates how an animal may alter their environment to provide for its needs.

This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

Students will learn about Vincent Van Gogh and his style of painting. Students will use the see-think-wonder strategy to analyze the artwork. Students will create a sunflower painting using the pointillism style of Van Gogh. 

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (0) 6 :

6 ) Identify and plan possible solutions (e.g., reducing, reusing, recycling) to lessen the human impact on the local environment.*

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

Students will use what they have learned about recycling and reusing to complete this STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activity. Students will use recycled items to create something new.   

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[SC2015] (0) 3 :

3 ) Distinguish between living and nonliving things and verify what living things need to survive (e.g., animals needing food, water, and air; plants needing nutrients, water, sunlight, and air).

Students will use their knowledge of the parts of a plant to discuss what a plant needs to survive. Students will manipulate their three-dimensional plant to show the importance of all the parts of a plant. Students will use a variety of materials to create their 3D model. Examples of materials include pipe cleaners, paper towel rolls, paper, tissue paper, play dough, clay, etc. 

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will discuss how animals camouflage and the reasons why animals use camouflage in the wild.  They will analyze A Hare in the Forest by Hans Hoffman.  They will find animals that are camouflaged in the painting. Students will draw an animal that uses camouflage.  They will create a crayon resist and use watercolors to fill their piece.    

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will analyze decorated letters from illuminated manuscripts.  They will create a paper collage using an outline of a letter.  They will draw an animal that begins with the same letter.  Images will be compiled to create a class alphabet book.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 10 :

10) Select and describe works of art that illustrate daily life experiences.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 14 :

14) Create works of art about events in home, school, or community life.

Students will measure space and furniture using their feet.  They will analyze Bed (Lit à la Turque) by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard.  At home, students will sketch their bed and measure it with their feet.  In class, the students will compare and contrast the size of their bed with Bed (Lit à la Polonaise).

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

Students will use shapes (rectangle, square, circle, oval, triangle) to create a robot. They will color and add details to their robot. They will draw a foreground, background, and write a sentence describing what the robot was made to do.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

Students will view examples of ducks in their natural habitat. They will use the pinch-pull clay technique to create a duck decoy. They will paint the decoy and create a habitat.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] MUS (0) 1 :

1) Explore and experience music concepts.

Example: Explore musical sources freely, using found sounds, electronic sounds, or sounds from voice or instruments found in classroom, remembering to use both sound and silence.

[ARTS] MUS (0) 16 :

16) Demonstrate awareness of expressive qualities that reflect creators'/performers' expressive intent.

Example: Use body percussion to reflect dynamics in a piece of music.

[ARTS] MUS (1) 17 :

17) Demonstrate and identify expressive qualities that reflect creators'/performers' expressive intent.

Example: Play instruments to reflect dynamics in a piece of music.

[ARTS] MUS (2) 17 :

17) Demonstrate knowledge of music concepts and how they support creators'/performers' expressive intent.

Example: Without prompting, play instruments to reflect dynamics in a piece of music.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will identify tempo and dynamics in Mozart's “Ah vous dirai-je, maman.” They will analyze van Gogh's Starry Night and identify lines and colors.  They will discuss the night sky, stars, and constellations. Students will respond to music through scarves. They will create their own Starry Night interpretation.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2015] (0) 25 :

25 ) Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative or explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic. [W.K.2]

[ARTS] MUS (0) 1 :

1) Explore and experience music concepts.

Example: Explore musical sources freely, using found sounds, electronic sounds, or sounds from voice or instruments found in classroom, remembering to use both sound and silence.

[ARTS] MUS (0) 14 :

14) List personal interests and experiences and demonstrate why they prefer some music selections over others.

[ARTS] MUS (0) 17 :

17) Apply personal and expressive preferences in the evaluation of music.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

Students will listen to each selection from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns. They will identify the tempo and dynamics. They will move to the music and draw a picture of each animal.  They will identify their favorite piece and write a sentence about it.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

[ARTS] VISA (3) 2 :

2) Demonstrate skills using available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the art-making process.

Examples: Choose from a variety of resources and materials to create a work of art.
Use books Imagine That by Joyce Raymond or Dinner at Magritte's by Michael Garland.

[ARTS] VISA (4) 3 :

3) Generate ideas and employ a variety of strategies and techniques to create a work of art/design.

[ARTS] VISA (5) 2 :

2) Demonstrate the methods of the art-making process, including brainstorming, sketching, reflecting, and refining, to create a work of art/design.

The article includes seven activities to practice mixing colors - glazing lines, transparent shape diagrams, color bias color wheels, washable markers drips, watercolor pencil layering, monochromatic layers, and color mixing chart.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

Students will use watercolors to paint straight and curved lines. Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 3 :

3) Build skills by following a sequence of steps to create art that expresses feeling and ideas.

Examples: Explore the books Why is Blue Dog Blue? by G. Rodrigue and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to understand color meanings and moods.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 12 :

12) Interpret art by identifying subject matter and describing relevant details.

Example: Answer questions such as, "What do you see?" or "How does this art make you feel?"

Students will identify curved and straight lines in letters.  They will use straight and curved lines to draw letters in their artwork. Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 3 :

3) Build skills by following a sequence of steps to create art that expresses feeling and ideas.

Examples: Explore the books Why is Blue Dog Blue? by G. Rodrigue and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to understand color meanings and moods.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 6 :

6) Share and talk about the art they are creating.

a. Use art vocabulary: line, shape, color, and pattern.

Example: Use the book Lines that Wiggle by Candace Whitman.

Students will create straight, curved, and zigzag lines using a variety of materials.  They will describe the art they are creating. Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 3 :

3) Build skills by following a sequence of steps to create art that expresses feeling and ideas.

Examples: Explore the books Why is Blue Dog Blue? by G. Rodrigue and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to understand color meanings and moods.

Students will use circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles to create an animal character.  They will add details with colored pencils.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 3 :

3) Build skills by following a sequence of steps to create art that expresses feeling and ideas.

Examples: Explore the books Why is Blue Dog Blue? by G. Rodrigue and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to understand color meanings and moods.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 4 :

4) Identify safe and non-toxic art materials, tools, and equipment while sharing.

Example: Scissors, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, paints, paintbrushes, and clay.

Students will identify basic straight-sided shapes like rectangle, triangle, and square.  They will cut straight-sided shapes and use them to make a collage.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.    

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 3 :

3) Build skills by following a sequence of steps to create art that expresses feeling and ideas.

Examples: Explore the books Why is Blue Dog Blue? by G. Rodrigue and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to understand color meanings and moods.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 4 :

4) Identify safe and non-toxic art materials, tools, and equipment while sharing.

Example: Scissors, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, paints, paintbrushes, and clay.

Students will make imprints in a clay tile using a variety of textures.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 4 :

4) Identify safe and non-toxic art materials, tools, and equipment while sharing.

Example: Scissors, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, paints, paintbrushes, and clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 5 :

5) Create and tell a story with art that communicates about a familiar person, place, or thing.

Example: Use symbols and details to help tell a story.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 14 :

14) Create art that tells a story about a life experience.

Example: Create an artwork showing a personal experience.

Students will identify primary colors on a color wheel.  They will select red, yellow, and blue from a box of oil pastels.  They will paint a picture of a room in their house.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 3 :

3) Build skills by following a sequence of steps to create art that expresses feeling and ideas.

Examples: Explore the books Why is Blue Dog Blue? by G. Rodrigue and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to understand color meanings and moods.

Students will mix two primary colors to create a secondary color. They will create a pattern of shapes and make a monoprint.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, examples of artwork, and lesson plan included in PDF.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] MUS (0) 1 :

1) Explore and experience music concepts.

Example: Explore musical sources freely, using found sounds, electronic sounds, or sounds from voice or instruments found in classroom, remembering to use both sound and silence.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 3 :

3) Build skills by following a sequence of steps to create art that expresses feeling and ideas.

Examples: Explore the books Why is Blue Dog Blue? by G. Rodrigue and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to understand color meanings and moods.

Students will identify visual and auditory patterns.  They will create a stamp using a block and adhesive foam.  They will make a pattern using the stamp and paint.  Assessment rubric, letter to parents, and lesson plan included in PDF. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2015] (0) 1 :

1 ) With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. [RL.K.1]

a. Make predictions to determine main idea and anticipate an ending. (Alabama)

[ELA2015] (1) 1 :

1 ) Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. [RL.1.1]

a. Make predictions from text clues. (Alabama)

[ELA2015] (2) 1 :

1 ) Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. [RL.2.1]

a. Infer the main idea and supporting details in narrative texts. (Alabama)

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will identify adjectives in the book Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley.  They will choose an adjective and a shape to create an adjective monster using construction paper and chalk/crayon.  They will create features using paper sculpture techniques.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] MUS (0) 12 :

12) Perform music with expression.

[ARTS] MUS (1) 13 :

13) Perform music for a specific purpose with expression.

[ARTS] MUS (2) 13 :

13) Perform music for a specific purpose with expression and technical accuracy.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will echo sing the lyrics from the book Over in the Jungle by Marianne Berkes. They will brainstorm different habitats and animals.  They will use clay to create an animal from one of the habitats.  The teacher will photograph the animals and make a presentation for the class.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2015] (1) 24 :

24 ) Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure. [W.1.1]

a. Write simple poems addressing a topic. (Alabama)

[ELA2015] (1) 25 :

25 ) Write informative or explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure. [W.1.2]

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 5 :

5) Create an artwork using found and/or recycled objects.

Examples: Use objects such as leaves, rocks, paper tubes, egg cartons, etc.
Use book A Day with No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch.

Students will view and describe two cyanotypes. The class will write a poem describing an object in nature.  Students will create a balanced composition using found objects from nature on NaturePrint Paper. They will write a cinquain poem to describe their composition.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will review colors, shapes, and lines.  They will analyze the painting, Irises, by Vincent van Gogh. They will draw flowers using crayons.  They will create a crayon-resist using green and blue watercolors.    

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will analyze Python Killing a Gnu by Antoine-Louis Barye.  They will identify a sculpture as three-dimensional. They will explore creating different textures in modeling clay.  They will make a snake with the clay. They will create a three-dimensional setting for their snake.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

Students will analyze Chandelier by Gérard-Jean Galle.  They will make a papier-mâché hot air balloon sculpture.  They will decorate the ballon by making patterns using shapes, paint, drawings, or stickers.     

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] MUS (0) 9 :

9) Demonstrate awareness of expressive qualities that support the creators' expressive intent.

Example: Interpret a story through vocal exploration, dynamics, and tempo.

[ARTS] MUS (1) 10 :

10) Demonstrate and describe music's expressive qualities.

Example: Identify the tempo of a piece of music in a listening example.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

Students will listen to the story Mouse Paint by Ellen Stohl Walsh while they mix primary colors.  They will discuss how different colors make us feel different emotions.  They will listen to Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons.  They will discuss how music makes us feel different moods.  They will illustrate each season while they listen.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] MUS (0) 1 :

1) Explore and experience music concepts.

Example: Explore musical sources freely, using found sounds, electronic sounds, or sounds from voice or instruments found in classroom, remembering to use both sound and silence.

[ARTS] MUS (0) 8 :

8) Explore and achieve awareness of music contrasts in a variety of music selected for performance.

Examples: Demonstrate high/low, loud/soft, same/different.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

Students will analyze music by describing the dynamics, pitch, and duration. They will move to show emotion in the music. They will use finger paints to express their emotion while listening to music. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 1 :

1) Engage collaboratively in exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

Examples: Work with partner or small group to create an artwork.

Use the book Perfect Square by Michael Hall to help "thinking outside the box" skills.

[ARTS] VISA (2) 2 :

2) Explore personal interests and curiosities with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Paper-weaving, drawing, and resist painting.

Use book about weaving, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Clay animals and pipe cleaner sculptures.

Use a book about clay, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor.

[ARTS] VISA (3) 2 :

2) Demonstrate skills using available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the art-making process.

Examples: Choose from a variety of resources and materials to create a work of art.
Use books Imagine That by Joyce Raymond or Dinner at Magritte's by Michael Garland.

[ARTS] VISA (4) 3 :

3) Generate ideas and employ a variety of strategies and techniques to create a work of art/design.

[ARTS] VISA (5) 1 :

1) Combine ideas to develop an innovative approach to creating art.

NGAKids Art Zone is a free iPad app.  It includes eight interactive activities, a sketchbook, and a personal exhibition space.  The activities are designed for children to use independently. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 11 :

11) Distinguish between images and real objects

a. Describe what an image represents.

Example: Compare a photograph or painting of a vase to a real vase.

Students will analyze a variety of artwork and identify things they see, taste, hear, smell, and touch.  They will create still-life art based on a piece of real fruit.  Finally, they will cut a shape from construction paper and look for real-life items that match the shape. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 12 :

12) Interpret art by identifying subject matter and describing relevant details.

Example: Answer questions such as, "What do you see?" or "How does this art make you feel?"

Students will analyze the sculpture, Spider, by Louise Bourgeois.  They will build an animal sculpture using a lightweight wire. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 12 :

12) Interpret art by identifying subject matter and describing relevant details.

Example: Answer questions such as, "What do you see?" or "How does this art make you feel?"

[ARTS] VISA (1) 3 :

3) Develop skills by following a sequence of steps to create works of art on subjects that are real or imaginary.

Example: The teacher will model an artistic technique.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 12 :

12) Interpret art by categorizing subject matter and identifying the visual qualities.

Example: Compare images that represent the same subject.

Students will analyze Beasts of the Sea by Henri Matisse.  They will create a piece of art using colored paper cut into different shapes.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 12 :

12) Interpret art by identifying subject matter and describing relevant details.

Example: Answer questions such as, "What do you see?" or "How does this art make you feel?"

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 12 :

12) Interpret art by categorizing subject matter and identifying the visual qualities.

Example: Compare images that represent the same subject.

Students will analyze the painting, Tropical Forest with Monkeys, by Henri Rousseau.  Students will paint an imaginary jungle with animals. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (0) 14 :

14) Create art that tells a story about a life experience.

Example: Create an artwork showing a personal experience.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 12 :

12) Interpret art by categorizing subject matter and identifying the visual qualities.

Example: Compare images that represent the same subject.

Students will create paintings based on feelings. Students will review colors and lines.  They will compare and contrast the paintings and identify different visual qualities. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT (0) 6 :

6 ) Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Examples: celebrations, food, traditions

[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

In this learning activity, students learn about Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican culture by creating their own Carnival mask.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT (0) 6 :

6 ) Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Examples: celebrations, food, traditions

[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

[SS2010] USS6 (6) 7 :

7 ) Identify changes on the American home front during World War II.

Example: rationing

•  Recognizing the retooling of factories from consumer to military production

•  Identifying new roles of women and African Americans in the workforce

•  Describing increased demand on the Birmingham steel industry and Port of Mobile facilities (Alabama)

•  Describing the experience of African Americans and Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II, including the Tuskegee Airmen and occupants of internment camps (Alabama)

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (6) 2 :

2) Formulate an artistic investigation and discovery of relevant content for creating art.

Example: Make, share, and revise a list of ideas and preliminary sketches.

In this learning activity, students make their own Koinobori (fish kite). These kites were an important way of life for Japanese American children in internment camps during World War II.