Inside Out

Why

Look into the digestive system as you imagine what happens to your favorite foods after you eat them.


Steps

1. Study X-ray paintings by Australian aboriginal peoples in Native Arts of North America, Africa, and the South Pacific or other resources. Then imagine what the insides of bodies are like after a favorite meal: appetizer, salad, main course, side dishes, dessert, and a drink.


2. With bright colors of Crayola® Crayons, draw a large body outline. Use a white crayon to fill the interior with outlines of favorite food shapes. Complete the drawing with crayon, adding details such as facial features and clothing. Color all the lines heavily.


3. Cover a work area with recycled newspaper. With Crayola Watercolors and Paint Brushes, cover the entire drawing. The waxy crayon will "pop" through the painted surface, and the white crayon produces an X-ray effect.Dry.


4. To add a sparkling touch, outline the food with Crayola Washable Glitter Glue. Dry.


Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Glitter Glue— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Adaptations

  • Integrate this creative activity into curriculum themes such as the human body, growing up, and nutrition. Students could do similar X-rays of their heads after completing a particularly challenging task, or their lungs after breathing polluted air.
  • Study some real, recycled X-rays. Learn more about newer imaging techniques such as MRIs and sonograms. Find out how they work, their effects on people, and their uses.
  • Younger students and those with special needs may need assistance drawing outlines. Provide pre-cut stencils of body shapes and basic food items (bananas, pizza slices, etc.) to trace with crayons. Invite children to add crayon details to outlined forms.

Related Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans

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Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Crayons
  • Washable Watercolors
  • Watercolor Brushes with Plastic Handle
  • Glitter Glue
  • Giant Marker and Watercolor Pad
household supplies
  • recycled newspaper
  • paper towels
  • container(s) of water

Overview

grades

  • Grades 1 to 3
  • Special Needs

subjects

  • Science
  • Visual Arts

time

  • 30 to 60 minutes
  • Multiple Sessions

benefits

  • Students explore contour (outline) drawing and crayon resist techniques.

  • Children gain a better understanding of the digestive process by imagining what the insides of their bodies look like after eating their favorite foods.

Cirriculum

Research Canada Standards
Research UK Standards
Research U.S. Standards