Insects and Bees Art Unit

Submitted by: Julianne W. Sterling, Elementary Art Teacher
Length of Lesson:

This lesson is part of a 5 lesson unit. (This is an art extension from ELA classrooms)

Grade level:

2nd to 3rd grade (Ages 7-9)

Goals / Objectives:

Students will make realistic observation drawings of bees and insects, collecting these into a book. Students will be able to draw an insect and name the different body parts: head, thorax, abdomen. This lesson is part of a 5 lesson unit, where the students will make a book of drawings of insects, bees and flowers.

Materials Needed:

Drawing Paper, Watercolor Paint, pencils, Sharpie Fine Point Markers and Tissue paper

Lesson Description:

The meta-cognitive strategy of modeling will be used in this lesson, the teacher should emphasize practice in the first lesson (Tim van Gelder, Teaching Critical Thinking, 2005) - Practicing for transfer, students will get hands on practice drawing insects and bees. Most students will not start the lesson knowing how to scientifically draw an insect, and will be asked stretch their thinking about what they know about scientific drawings. Piaget explains how, at times, this process results in a "reach beyond the grasp" as one evolves, searches for new knowledge, and encounters "new territory." (Catherine Twomey Fosnot and Randall Stewart Perry)

Assessment(s):

• Students will turn in an initial drawing where they have drawn and labeled the parts of the insect. Teacher will sort student work for understanding and what needs to be retaught.

• Use observation and investigation in preparation for making a work of art

• Gallery walk and written TAG feedback from peers
• Make art or design with various materials and tools to explore personal interests, questions, and curiosity.

Day 1

TIME	TEACHER ACTIONS	STUDENT ACTIONS	MATERIALS
10 minutes	Gather information on what students already know about bees and how to protect them in our urban environment. Students will reflect upon what they know and state what they wonder/frame questions about insects. Data will be collected on large chart paper in order to refer back over the unit.	Students have been studying bees in their ELA classrooms and will be asked to share their knowledge.	Graphic organizer of student knowledge.
20 minutes	Why bees are important: Watch videos about bees. https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/ Review sideshow on Bees and pollination.	Students take notes and ask questions.	Students add to our graphic organizer.
20 minutes	Guided Practice Inform students that bees are insects and we will start with drawing a generic insect. Educate students that they will practice the observational drawing of an insect today. Ask about the difference between observational drawing and drawing from imagination. Walk around the room to check for understanding. Guided and chunked instruction of drawing an insect part by part. Teacher will be at the board drawing, students will.	Students ensure they have all the correct tools and materials. Students will follow step by step modeling to draw an insect.	Practice Newsprint, pencil, and Magic Rub Erasers.
10 minutes	Closing Ask students to pair share what they liked about their drawings and what was challenging.

Day 2

TIME	TEACHER ACTIONS	STUDENT ACTIONS	MATERIALS
10 minutes	Review diagram of an insect. Ask students to work in pairs with white boards to diagram part of insects. Quick assessment for review, checking table groups. Review chart of student knowledge, see if students have anything to add this week about bees.	Students have been studying bees in their ELA classes. They will draw with a partner	Large paper chart, Dry Erase Boards, Dry Erase Markers
7 minutes	Play video of How to draw insects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfLIMMecq8g	Watch video
20 minutes	Students will practice three observational drawing of a insects today. Modeling by teacher with 3 guided drawings of insects from different perspectives. Guided and chunked instruction of drawing an insect part by part. Teacher will be at the board drawing, students will draw at their desks. Reflection after the third drawing. Students will pair share which drawing they feel the best about. They will work on this drawing in independent practice.	Students ensure they have all the correct tools and materials. Students will follow step by step modeling to draw an insect.	Practice paper, pencil, and erasers.
20 minutes	Independent Practice: Students add color and sharpie to the drawing they find most successful. Teacher circulates to each table group.	Quiet work time.
5 minutes	CLOSING: Gallery Walk. Students share work with quick gallery walk around the classroom, where they can leave 3 positive notes for classmates about their artwork.	Students have practiced gallery walks as part of their reflection routine.	Post-it notes and pens.

Day 3

TIME	TEACHER ACTIONS	STUDENT ACTIONS	MATERIALS
5 minutes	Review bees are insects and have the same basic body parts. Review chart of student knowledge, see if students have anything to add this week about bees.	Students have been studying bees in their ELA classes	Large Chart Paper
4 minutes	Show video of how to draw bees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9_6BtwM8OQ	Watch video
20 minutes	Students will practice three observational drawing of a bees today. Modeling by teacher with 3 guided drawings of bees from different perspectives. Guided and chunked instruction of drawing an insect part by part. Teacher will be at the board drawing, students will draw at their desks. Reflection after the third drawing. Students will pair share which drawing they feel the best about. They will work on this drawing in independent practice.	Students ensure they have all the correct tools and materials. Students will follow step by step modeling to draw an insect.	Practice paper, pencil, and erasers.
20 minutes	Independent Practice: Students add color and sharpie to the drawing they find most successful. Teacher circulates to each table group.	Quiet work time.
5 minutes	CLOSING: Gallery Walk. Students share work with quick gallery walk around the classroom, where they can leave 3 positive notes for classmates about their artwork.	Students have practiced gallery walks as part of their reflection routine.	Post-it notes and pens.

Day 4

TIME	TEACHER ACTIONS	STUDENT ACTIONS	MATERIALS
5 minutes	Review how bees are pollinators and how important they are for plants, food and our environment. Review chart of student knowledge, see if students have anything to add this week about bees. See if there are any recent news articles.	Students have been studying bees in their ELA	Large paper chart.
4 minutes	Show video of how to draw flowers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoDgicWgR0U	Watch video
20 minutes	Introduce parts of the flower. Students will practice two observational drawings of flowers today. Modeling by teacher with 2 guided drawings of two different flowers. Teacher will be at the board drawing, students will draw at their desks. Reflection after the second drawing. Students will pair share which drawing they feel the best about. They will work on this drawing in independent practice.	Students ensure they have all the correct tools and materials. Students will follow step by step modeling to draw an insect.	Practice paper, pencil, and erasers.
20 minutes	Independent Practice: Students add color and sharpie to the drawing they find most successful. Teacher circulates to each table group.	Quiet work time.
5 minutes	CLOSING: Gallery Walk. Students share work with quick gallery walk around the classroom, where they can leave 3 positive notes for classmates about their artwork.	Students have practiced gallery walks as part of their reflection routine.	Post-it notes and pens.

Day 5

TIME	TEACHER ACTIONS	STUDENT ACTIONS	MATERIALS
5 minutes	Show sample of an accordion book. Pass rubric for assembled book to students and review		Rubric
2 minutes	Watch video on how to make an accordion book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VqliRQWm34	Watch video
10 minutes	Model folding paper. Model cutting and pasting drawings. Show examples of cover art with author and illustrator.	Students ensure they have all the correct tools and materials. Students will follow step by step modeling to draw an insect.	Paper, Scissors, Glue Sticks
30 minutes	Independent Practice: Students paste drawings and develop their cover art. Teacher circulates to each table group.	Quiet work time.
10 minutes	Review rubric. Gallery Walk. Students share work with quick gallery walk around the classroom, where they can leave 3 positive notes for classmates about their artwork.	Students have practiced gallery walks as part of their reflection routine.	Post-it notes and pens.

You can also download a PDF of this lesson here. PDF