Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will create a beautiful Fall tree painting using brushes or sponges. They will learn about the colors of fall, how to mix colors, and express their creativity through art.
Materials and Prep
- White sheets of construction paper
- Paintbrushes
- Sponges
- Fall colors of paint (red, orange, yellow, brown)
- Water container for rinsing brushes
- Paper towels for cleaning up
Before the lesson, set up a clean workspace where the student can paint freely. Make sure to cover the area with newspaper or an old cloth to protect surfaces from paint spills.
Activities
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Color Mixing Fun: Start by exploring the colors of Fall. Let the student mix red and yellow to see what color they create. Encourage them to try mixing different colors to make new ones!
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Tree Trunk Painting: Using a brown paint, help the student paint a tree trunk in the center of their paper. Talk about how trees are tall and strong, and how they stand in the wind.
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Leaf Creation: Using sponges or brushes, the student can dab and swirl their chosen fall colors to create leaves on their tree. Encourage them to use big, bold strokes and to fill the tree with colorful leaves.
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Nature Walk: If possible, take a short walk outside to look at real trees. Discuss the colors of the leaves and the shapes of the trees. This can inspire their painting!
Talking Points
- "What colors do you see on the trees outside? Can we use those colors in our painting?"
- "Look at how the leaves change color in the fall. What colors do you want to use for your leaves?"
- "Let’s pretend we are the wind! How does the wind make the leaves dance?"
- "Great job! How does your tree look? What do you like best about your painting?"