Lesson Overview:

Students will learn about how weather influences culture, daily life, and mood by examining paintings depicting different types of weather. Students will demonstrate their understanding by painting a picture depicting a particular weather condition.

Length of Lesson:

Three 45-minute class periods

Notes:

This lesson is particularly suitable for grades 4-5.

Instructional Objectives:

Students will:

• identify and describe elements of art found in selected works of art (color, shape/form, line, texture, space, and value).
• identify and analyze the depiction of weather and the seasons in works of art.
• analyze, assess, and derive meaning from works of art, including their own, according to the elements of art, the principles of design, and aesthetic qualities.
• create original artworks with paper, watercolors, and salt that depict type of weather or a season.
• develop specific criteria to assess and critique works of art.

Supplies:

• White watercolor paper
• Watercolor paints
• Salt
• Rubber cement
• Paper cups
• Brushes
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Eraser
• Scotch tape
• Relief globe of the world
• Images of different geographical areas depicting various weather conditions, including at least two that show a relationship between culture and climate.

Instructional Plan:

Warm Up

Gather the students around a window in the classroom and look outside to observe the weather. Ask the students the following questions:

• What is the weather like today?
• What is the current season? How you describe the palette of colors associated with this season?
• What objects or changes in the environment (the sky, trees, ground or sidewalks, clothing, etc.) provides clues about weather and/or the season?
• "What is your favorite kind of weather and why?"

After students have responded to these questions, have them look at the Weather and Painting interactive multimedia gallery. As students look at the paintings online, ask them: How is light expressed in the painting? What kind of feeling or mood does the painting generate? How are the colors are used to convey light or darkness?

Directed Instruction

Distribute Elements of Art handout. Discuss the elements of color, shape, and texture with students. Look again at the interactive multimedia gallery, Weather and Painting; review and analyze the pictures with students, while discussing the use of color, shape, and texture to portray a particular weather condition.

Have each student select a favorite picture, and break the students into groups according to their favorite picture. Students can print out the paintings directly from the online interactive, or you may wish to bring into class prints of these paintings. Within the groups, students should share their thoughts and feelings about why they liked the pictures, discussing the elements of art such as color, shape, and texture. Students should use the Elements of Art handout as a reference point during their discussion. Have them present their responses as a group in front of the class.

After viewing all of the weather conditions depicted in the pictures, including the geographical component, distribute to the students watercolor paints, brushes, cups with water, salt, and white paper. Demonstrate the technique of drawing a weather/landscape scene using salt and watercolors: paint the scene, then sprinkle salt over the wet painting to create texture. You may also wish to use rubber cement to create a stippled effect. Ask students to complete one of the following assignments:

• Paint an image of your favorite day based on the weather conditions on the season.
• Paint a weather/landscape scene of a particular day based on your personal experience.

Remind students that they should express their own unique style as they create their watercolor paintings. They should choose colors carefully to represent the scene associated with the particular day and weather condition they are painting. The objective is to represent the weather in the scene, as well as the way that the elements in the painting are being affected by the weather. Tell students that the colors they choose may determine the mood of the painting. Give students ample time to complete their paintings.

Further Activity:

While the paintings dry, perform one or more of the following activities with the students:

• Look at a relief world globe or map and observe the different shades. Ask the students why there are changes in the colors. Point out a certain area that has a very different topography, How might that affect how artists depict the landscape? Is there a difference between a storm in a coastal region, and a storm in the mountains? Discuss how some of those differences can be depicted in paintings.
• On the overhead projector, present two pictures of different cultures that clearly show the impact of the weather on the culture. Compare two different pictures and discuss how the weather has an impact on the lives of the people in that culture. Discuss the similarities and differences among these cultures.
• Create an area for exhibition of the students' paintings.

Closure:

Break students into groups of three to four and have each group evaluate the artwork created by fellow class members. Since some of the paintings reflect personal experiences with the weather, ask students to describe that experience and its meaningfulness to them.

Lead the class in a closing discussion, asking questions such as:

• Can you see now that weather or a season can be depicted in a variety of ways in painting?
• What is your favorite type of weather or season? Describe the reasons why.

Assessment:

Evaluate students based on:

• their demonstrated understanding of use of elements of art, such as color, texture, etc.
• their correct identification of the depiction of weather and seasonal conditions in works of art.
• the overall quality of their artwork, presentation, and participation.

Authors:

• Hagit Arieli-Chai, Teacher
  Maimonidies Academy
  Los Angeles, California