Art at Home for the Week of April 20

Spring is in the air, so let's get outside!  This week's theme is Nature.  Scroll down to find the lesson for your grade level.  And don't forget, if you'd like to, you can email a photo of your completed work and I'll add it to our online art gallery.  Have fun!

Walk Into Nature
For Grades K and 1

Have you ever noticed all of the wonderful leaves, twigs, seeds, needles, petals, pine cones, stones, bark, and acorns on the ground? These objects come from trees, bushes, plants and flowers. They are beautiful pieces of nature!

Many artists use these natural objects to create amazing artwork. It is sometimes called "envoronmental art". Watch the video below to see some examples of nature or environmental art.

Nature Art Video

You can also check out this video about an artist who creates art using rocks, leaves, sand, ice and more. Andy Goldsworthy Video.

Materials:

• Bag
• Natural objects
• Paper or cardboard (optional)

Steps:

1. Grab a bag and take a walk in your yard or neighborhood to collect as many different kinds of natural objects that you can find on the ground. (Please do not pick growing objects from trees and bushes).
2. Find a surface outside such as a sidewalk, or a flat grass or dirt area where you can empty your bag. If you want to work inside, use a large piece of heavy paper or cardboard as a background.
3. Place your natural objects in piles organized by color, shape, or size. 
4. Think about what you will make. It can be a picture, like a flower or a person. It can be a design, with patterns in a circle. Be creative!
5. If possible, have an adult take a picture of your finished artwork. It is a piece of art that won’t last. If you created it outdoors, it will stay there until the wind or rain moves it away!.

Walk Into Nature
For Grades 2 and 3

Have you ever noticed all of the wonderful leaves, twigs, seeds, needles, petals, pine cones, stones, pods, bark, moss and acorns that lay on the ground? Many artists have appreciated those things in nature that have been left behind in our environment and have used them to create amazing artwork.

Many artists use these natural objects to create amazing artwork. It is sometimes called "environmental art". Watch the video below to see some examples of nature or environmental art.

Nature Art Video

You can also check out this video about an artist who creates art using rocks, leaves, sand, ice and more.Andy Goldsworthy Video

Materials:

-Bag
-Natural Materials that you collect
-Paper or cardboard (optional)

1. Grab a bag and in your own yard or neighborhood collect as many different kinds of natural
objects you can find.  Leaves, blades of grass, rocks, sticks, whatever catches your interest.

2. Find a surface like a sidewalk or path or flat stone surface or dirt area where you can empty
your bag. 

3. Organize what you have. Maybe by color, maybe by shape, maybe by size, your choice how.

4. Once you've finished organizing, see if you can build and/or assemble the natural materials
into something, 

5. You could make patterns or make a picture. See what your collected natural objects can
help you create. 

6. If you can, take a picture of it. It is an art piece that won’t last, it will stay outdoors for
you to appreciate until the wind or rain or squirrels move it.

Good luck and fun collecting, organizing and creating your nature art.

Walk Into Nature
For Grades 4 and 5

Have you ever noticed all of the wonderful leaves, twigs, seeds, needles, petals, pine cones, stones, pods, bark, moss and acorns that lay on the ground? Many artists have appreciated those things in nature that have been left behind in our environment and have used them to create amazing artwork.

Many artists use these natural objects to create amazing artwork. It is sometimes called "envoronmental art". Watch the videos below to see some examples of nature or environmental art.

Environmental Art Video

Environmental Art Video 2

You can also check out this video about an artist who creates art using rocks, leaves, sand, ice and more.

Andy Goldsworthy Video

Materials:

-Bag
-Natural Materials that you collect
-Paper or cardboard (optional)

1. Grab a bag and in your own yard or neighborhood collect as many different kinds of natural objects you can find.  Leaves, blades of grass, rocks, sticks, sand, whatever catches your interest.

2. Find a surface like a sidewalk or path or flat stone surface or dirt area where you can empty your bag. 

3. Organize what you have. Maybe by color, maybe by shape, maybe by size, your choice how.

4. Once you've finished organizing, see if you can build and/or assemble the natural materials into something, 

5. You could make patterns or make a picture. See what your collected natural objects can help you create. 

6. If you can, take a picture of it. It is an art piece that won’t last, it will stay outdoors for you to appreciate until the wind or rain or squirrels move it.

Good luck and fun collecting, organizing and creating your nature art.

.