Colorful Autumn Forest

1. Discuss the weather seasons and how the world changes around us, especially trees. If possible, go for a walk in the fall prior to this lesson; this is a great time for the discussion. If not, look at photographs and artworks of trees in the varying seasons. Discuss why leaves change color, the variety of colors, warm colors and the structure of a tree.
2. Beginning with a light colored 12" x 18" (30.48 cm x 45.72 cm) sheet of construction paper, students use at least 3 different colors of Crayola Construction Paper Crayons to draw the ground at the bottom of their papers. Traditional colors are not needed (brown soil / green grass) as a random selection of 3 or more colors will often result in desired ground color, with hints of other colors peeking through.
3. Have students tear 9" x 12" (22.86 cm x 30.48 cm) brown, black, or gray construction paper into rough edged rectangles. Arrange the torn rectangles on the page with the thicker ones used as trunks and the thinner one as branches on the tree. Repeat this step to create trees across the ground. Attach with Crayola No Run White Glue. Allow time for glue to dry.
4. Using Crayola So Big Jumbo Brushes and warm colors of Crayola Tempera Paint distributed on paper plates, students 'dab' onto the tree branches, giving the illusion of colored leaves. Do not wash the brushes, but wipe on a dry paper towel to maintain the thick quality of the paint, giving the tree foliage. Colors will blend slightly when one 'dab' overlaps another, but it will create interest in the artwork.
5. Once paint has dried, ask students to present their work in small groups, discussing how they used their materials to create their unique autumn forests.

LA: Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.

LA: Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation.

SCI: Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

SCI: Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.

SCI: Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth's surface.

VA: Engage in self directed, creative making.

VA: Use observation and imagination in preparation for making a work of art.

VA: Through experimentation, build skills in various media and approaches to art making.

VA: Share materials with others.

Change the color palette to represent different seasons (light green, pink, yellow, white for spring/ greens and yellows for summer.)

Create trees but instead of 'dabbing' paint like leaves, only paint on TOP of the branches and ground to create a winter scene. Add additional paint for 'dabbing' large snowflakes falling from the sky.

Read books about the changing seasons and repeat the lesson as each season changes to record the year through their artwork.