Each week, children create art based on a Leo Lionni children s book

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1 Enrichment Unit: Meet the Illustrator Leo Lionni Learning Goals: Gain an appreciation for art Be exposed to a variety of artistic techniques Experience a variety of media and processess Learn about an Illustrator s style of creating art Learn an illustrator s techniques for showing the beauty of everyday life Learn how art is used as illustrations in a children s book and displayed in art museums or galleries Prepare artwork for a gallery display National Event: Art Gallery presentation Each week, children create art based on a Leo Lionni children s book Collect and store art in a safe place. Be sure to have at least 1 piece of artwork from each child in attendance. In preparation for the gallery display, frame or mat all artwork. Often times art supply stores donate their scrap mat board. Construction paper or posterboard also works well. Be sure to add the artist s name to artwork. The theater area walls or Blue Crew room can be used as a display area. Simply attach a piece of Velcro or removable tape to the back of the painting for easy hanging. A table top display may be added. In addition, large cardboard walls, screens or room dividers can be draped with dark fabric and used.

2 Resources Books: A Color of His Own Alexandra and The Wind Up Mouse An Extraordinary Egg Cornelius Fish is Fish Frederick Inch By Inch Little Blue and Little Yellow Matthew s Dream Pezzettino Swimmy The Biggest House in The World YouTube:

3 Enrichment Unit: Meet the Illustrator Leo Lionni Week 1- Introduction (I hour total) Using a sample of Leo Lionni books, introduce the children to show his style of illustrations Talk about the job of an illustrator and how they contribute to the story and overall feel of the book Discuss the colors in his illustrations Explain the techniques that Leo Lionni used to achieve his illustrations Help identify any similarities or patterns in his picture making Ask the children how they feel when they look at the illustrations. Would they choose a different picture, animal or item to tell the story? Display samples of Leo Lionni s illustrations. Pass them around the group so the children can have a closer look. Have a collection of his children s books on display in the reading area or near the art table in the Creation Station. Provide an overview of the enrichment unit explaining how his children s books will guide the art activities for the month. Week 1 Vocabulary Illustrator Art Museum Art Gallery Resources Various Books, YouTube Link

4 Torn Paper Collage Materials: Blue, yellow and green construction paper Glue White paper Story: Little Blue and Little Yellow Teacher prep: Demonstrate how to tear paper in circular shape Read the story of Little Blue and Little Yellow Discuss the story Encourage creative expression Process Tear the paper into pieces Think about the story of Little Blue and Little Yellow Create a picture Glue the colored pieces to your paper Notes: Ask the child to describe their picture and write their response on their artwork

5 Enrichment Unit: Meet the Illustrator Leo Lionni Week 2- Understanding Illustration (I hour total) The children now have a basic understanding of illustrations Continue to display art books for children and encourage discussion. This week, help the children feel as though they are an illustrator. How do they feel when they look at Leo Lionni s pictures? What colors do they like? Create more art. This time use music in the background to encourage the children to express themselves. Try choosing an upbeat sound and encourage the children to allow the music to guide their painting. Make sure to give them plenty of room to move! Give the children a caption and ask them to draw a picture of how what they imagine. Or, have the children create a picture and dictate their story to you. Discuss how artists use different art medium (material, tools) to create their work. Save and frame art work. Week 1 Vocabulary Words: Feelings Art Medium Resources: An Extraordinary Egg Pezzettino

6 Paper Mache Eggs Materials: Balloons (inflated, water balloon size) Newspaper strips Colored paint Paste (Mix 1 part flour to 2 parts water) Teacher prep: Prepare balloons Cover tables Demonstrate technique Pour paste in shallow pans (pie tins work great) Process Shred newspaper strips Dip strips in paste mixture, lay over balloon Repeat steps until balloon is covered Allow 1 day to dry, repeat steps Notes: This is a multi-step/day activity. Plan a safe drying space for the eggs as you will need to apply 2 layers of newspaper/paste. Paint the eggs after they dry.

7 Mosaic Art Materials: Mosaic shapes Glue Large sheet of paper Teacher prep: Read the Story of Pezzettino Provide materials Process Create a picture with the collage pieces Add crayons and marker designs to enhance the picture Notes:

8 Enrichment Unit: Meet the Illustrator Leo Lionni Week 3- I am an artist (I hour total) Explore painting and art creations on a variety of other materials Use other Leo Lionni children s books to showcase samples of textures and color blending Share samples of the children s art to continue to inspire creativity, discuss the art pieces during circle time Expand their learning into other areas. For a culinary treat have the children create edible art Parent Communication Create a Gallery Opening announcement to send home with the children to invite parents to attend the culminating event. Post sign on the Parent Welcome Board for the upcoming Gallery Opening and announcement frame in the lobby Post on your local Facebook page and web page announcement Resources Additional Leo Lionni Books o Swimmy o A Color of His Own o Fish is Fish o Matthew s Dream

9 Edible Paintings Materials: Loaf of bread Milk Food coloring Paper plate Cups Paint brushes Toaster Oven/Toaster Teacher prep: Give each child a plated cookie Mix a small amount of milk/food coloring in each cup Place 1 paintbrush into each cup Process Choose a color to begin Dip the brush in the colored milk Paint a picture on the bread Toast and enjoy Notes: Offer butter, jelly, or other spread for the toast

10 Dessert Cups Materials: Blue flavored JELLO Mini gummy Swedish fish Clear cups Teacher prep: Provide supplies Read the story of either Fish is Fish or Swimmy Process Measure and Mix JELLO ingredients Pour into individual cups Add a few candy fish Chill 2 hours, then enjoy Notes: Alternate idea: read the story of Little Blue and Little Yellow and substitute JELLO for vanilla pudding. Add yellow food coloring to one batch and blue food coloring to the other. Each child gets a scoop of each and mixes a new color.

11 Decoupage Fish Materials: Different sized fish shapes Tissue paper squares Glue Small bowl Paint brushes Teacher prep: Read the Story Swimmy Provide the materials Mix glue/water to form a light decoupage mixture Demonstrate the technique Process: Choose a fish Use the glue mixture to attach the tissues Apply a thin layer over the finished product to secure paper in place and add a little shine. Notes: Allow extra time for drying

12 Dream Art Materials: Removable Masking Tape (cut into assorted sizes) Paint (tempera or water colors) White construction paper Mouse and sun cutout ( 1 each per child) Teacher prep: Read the Story Matthew s Dream and discuss the different colors and shapes in the story Provide the materials Explain process Process On your sheet of white paper, place a few pieces of masking tape Paint a design on the paper, covering the paper and tape When dry, pull off masking tape Glue on the mouse and sun to represent Matthew and his dream Notes:

13 Colorful Chameleon Materials: Different colored pipe cleaners Colored paper leaves Wiggly eyes Pencil Teacher prep: Read the Story A Color of His Own Provide the materials Demonstrate the technique of twisting the pipe cleaner around the pencil to form the chameleon shape Process Choose a colored pipe cleaner Use pictures to guide each step Place on a colored leaf Notes:

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15 Enrichment Unit: Meet the Illustrator Leo Lionni Week 4- Gallery Opening The children are ready to present their masterpieces! A few days before the event, send out reminders and/or notes home with the children. Make sure all art work has been framed and child s name is clearly written on the front Finalize layout plan for gallery area Purchase any last minute needed supplies On the day of the Galley Opening, bring a camera so event pictures can be posted in the lobby and/or on Facebook. On the day of the Gallery Opening, before preschool begins hang artwork in designated area. Rope off area to keep it un-accessible to children until the gallery opens for viewing Do a walk through with the children and discuss what s going to happen when the parents arrive As parents arrive to the center, escort them to the gallery area. Optional: Many Gallery Openings serve snacks. The children can make a simple snack and apple juice can be served in cups or flutes. This could be a wonderful photo opportunity. A picture could be taken with the child standing next to their creation.