Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Kindergarten
3 Class Periods

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?  Kindergarten Art Lesson

I have done a very similar lesson in the past with my kindergarten students where our main subject is the grouchy ladybug from Eric Carle's book The Grouchy Ladybug.  You can view the details to theat lesson here:The Grouchy Ladybug

Day 1: 

Students are presented a powerpoint that I created on Eric Carle.  We then read a story by Eric Carle with the intent of examining the beautiful pictures he created on each page in detail.  To view the information I shared with students check out the link mentioned above.

Next, each child is presented with a large piece of white kraft paper.  Paint is poured on each piece of paper.  Students are allowed to use foam brushes, scrapers, roller and their hands to paint with.

Once the paint starts to cover most of the paper I layer the paper with a second color that can easily mix with the first.  I don't need to tell you how excited the students get over this.  The pieces are then set off to the side to dry as clean up takes place.

The colors that I have students create are blue (purple or white is the second color that we mix with it), brown (which has orange, black or white added to it), green (blue or yellow is added as the second color) and orange (yellow is added).

Day 2:

By the second day of class, I have all of the large painted paper cut down to the sizes that we need to create the project.  These pieces over all are 10 x 10-inches.  I use a base of white tagboard to glue all of our pieces on.

We start by gluing down the sky then adding the grass.  All of these pieces so far cut to the exact size.  Students just need to glue them in place.

Students adding sky, grass and clouds to paper.

We add the sun and clouds next.  Students are shown how to create both of these shapes.

After background is in place we begin the construction of the bear.  Usually we get as far as creating his body and creating the circle for his head.

Pieces are collected and saved for the next class period.

Day 3:

Today we review everything we have learned so far about this project ranging from the artist, painting paper and creating shapes.  If I feel class time allows, I often read another Eric Carle story before we begin the days activities.

Bear waiting for those extra details to make him complete.

On this day we create the inside of the bears face, ears, legs, tail and eyes.  A sharpie marker is used to add details like the pupils of the eyes, nose, mouth and claws.

Examples of Student Work: