Things that make you go WHOOT!

With my younger students I always like to do a couple of projects that involve guided drawing and allow students to be able to create a realistic looking picture with a good sense confidence.  Prior to this lesson I decided to read Peter Reynold's book "ish" as it really helps to support the idea that it is okay for something to resemble what it is you are trying to create.  I love how Reynolds uses his stories as a way to connect kids with the creative process and helping to solidify the idea that art is not like math or reading that there often is not one specific answer or way to do things.  After reading "ish" students were guided in drawing an owl we talked about some important facts about the animal including its eye sight, hearing, and nocturnal habits.  Students used crayons for an outline and then added color using tempera water cake paints.  Although all students did not finish the final products will be really cool when they are all done later this school year.