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Crazy Crustaceans
Lesson Plan, Grades 5-8, Science, Art, Drawing, Mixed Media
Description
Lesson Plan and Artwork by Carol Miller
Crustaceans are classified as Arthropods and include familiar species such as lobsters, crabs, shrimp, crayfish and prawns. They are all invertebrates, meaning they have no backbone and many, like crustaceans, have a shell instead. Here, artistic license is taken, creating imaginary or exaggerated body parts with sparkling colors to make a unique creature.
Objectives
- Students will become familiar with the characteristics of invertebrate (spineless), crustaceans.
- Students will create their own unique version of a crustacean starting with a line drawing of glue and embellishing it with metallic and glitter markers after the glue dries.
Supplies Needed
Crayola® Glitter Markers, Set of 6 1465253
Crayola® Metallic Markers, Set of 8 1465254
Crayola® No Run School Glue, 4 oz. 027626
Crayola® Washable Glue Sticks, Pack of 2 1388919
Sax® Colored Art Paper, Black, 12" x 18", Pack of 50 402014
Sax® Colored Art Paper, Assorted, 12" x 18", Pack of 50 402024
*Here are the supplies needed for this lesson plan for reference. Find a convenient carousel of shoppable products for this lesson below.
Standards
CONTENT Standard #1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
CONTENT Standard #2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
CONTENT Standard #10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
Instructions
1
Before choosing a crustacean, study images to become aware of similarities and differences in body parts and characteristics.
2
Sketch a line drawing of the creature very lightly with pencil on the black paper, and then add lines that break up the space inside the outline into smaller sections, as desired.
3
Using Crayola® No Run School Glue, carefully draw over the lines. This glue will dry clear, creating what looks like shiny, raised black lines. Many types of glue dry cloudy, which won't work, so stick with this brand.
4
The tip on the glue bottle will make a medium thick line. For thin lines, draw faster - for thick lines, slower. Try to get as close to the paper as possible without touching.
5
Let dry overnight or a bit longer if lines are thick.
6
When completely dry, fill the sections with the metallic and glitter markers. Experiment with layering the glitter on the metallic. Use a variety of patterns and designs.
7
Cut slowly and carefully around the outside edge of the creature, without leaving any black paper showing.
8
Mount on colored paper, using a glue stick.
OPTIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Instead of making a crustacean, let the student do a random drawing with the glue. 2. When the drawing is dry, use the metallic and glitter markers to color solid areas instead of patterns.
