Hot and Cold Animal Puzzles

The next art lesson that was taught was "Hot and Cold Animal Puzzles," by Sadie, Lyndsey, and Chad!  It was a third grade lesson focusing on warm and cool colors, as well as lines and shapes forming a pattern.  We first we were all given one piece that would go to one of the two giant puzzles as a class we were going to make.  One puzzle was going to include all warm colors, and the other puzzle was going to have all cool colors.  Each of us was assigned one or the other, mine being cool colors (green, blue, and purple).  First, we drew an animal on our piece, making sure we made good use of our space.  I chose to draw a fish for my puzzle piece, because I love to fish!  Another aspect that I drew a fish, is that fish are cold-blooded animals, and I have "cool" colors being incorporated in my puzzle so they relate in that way.  Next, I colored my fish using cool colors, and showing texture with patterns of scales for my fish's body.  To complete the piece, we were to use lines and shapes for our background, keeping mind, to continue using cool colors.  The other aspect we were assigned was what type of shapes we were to include.  I had the opportunity to draw geometric shapes, while others drew organic shapes for their puzzle piece.  To finish the project, I added an eye and a smile, and my fish-cool-colored puzzle piece was complete!

Extension Activity: For an extension activity, I would have my students write a mini book in Language Arts about the animal they drew on their puzzle piece.  We would make little homemade books for the students to draw their pictures and write their creative material on the pages.  It could be nonfiction, so the students could include facts about their animal.  It could also be fiction, in which the students could use their imagination, and create a made-up story about the animal they have.  We would have sharing time for any of the students that would like to share their animal book they created with the class!