K-3 Grade Bugs in the Garden/ Egyptian Scarab Bug
![]() The following project was completed by an art teacher at the Toledo Museum of Art. I was in the class as an observer and helped the students with their projects.
AED 5900, Toledo Museum of Art 1-2nd graders Teacher: Amanda Flemming Observer: Patricia Whittington Mixed Media Project: Bugs in the Garden/ Egyptian Scarab Bug Abstract Art Students came into the room and were asked to sit in the center of the carpet placed in the middle of the room. The teacher quieted them down by sitting in front of them and showing them a book on the topic to be discussed and lesson plan. Te teacher read the book " Bugs in the Garden" by Beatrice Alemagna Pre Assessment: Science/Anatomy:
The teacher asked the children if they knew about bugs and the difference between insects and spiders? Insects have 6 legs, spiders have 8 legs. Are daddy long legs spiders or insects? They only have 6 legs, so they are considered insects. Gallery Tour: Classical Gallery, Egyptian Scarab Bug Sculptures Content Area Subjects: science/history/culture Art Elements: Color, Line, Shape Principles of Design: Symmetry Classroom Management: Gallery Rules: Students lined up at the door and were reminded of the rules when walking in the art gallery. Hands behind their back and bubbles in the mouth. While walking through the art museum, the teacher pointed out pictures and asked the young students if they were Realistic or Abstract paintings to check knowledge and remind students of art genres. Students were taken to the Classical Gallery to see Egyptian Scarab bugs and were told what scarab beetles were, also known as Dung Beetles, explained the history on why Egyptian’s placed Scarab beetles on the heart or chest are of mummies in helping with the rebirthing or reincarnation beliefs of Egyptians. Students were shown mummy case with scarab beetle drawings place in the center of the mummy’s case, along with stone shaped scarab beetles with carving on the underside and jewelry samples.
Teaching Strategy: Show pictures or a book of bugs that demonstrate symmetry, color schemes and textures. "Creepy Creatures Beetles" by Valerie Bodden. Lesson Plan:
Supplies: 8 x 11 paper, tempera cakes, paintbrushes, water cups, water, stamp pads, ink refills, sharpie pens. Light green and dark green tissue paper, large glue sticks. Teacher asked if the students know about perspective and describing it as a birds eye view when a bird is flying high in the sky looking down on objects and how they look small. A bug’s eye view hiding in tall grass, all objects look very big. The students were shown how to paint blobs of color using green and yellow tempera cakes, paint brushes and cups of water. For the first 15 minutes of class, The teacher showed the book based on the subject of the lesson plan, showed the students how to paint blobs of color on an 8 x11 sheet of paper that will resemble grass color. The teacher continued with the next step of the project. The teacher showed them how to tear 3 large long strips of medium green colored tissue paper and how to glue the tissue paper onto the painted paper. Teacher demonstrated how to tear 3 smaller medium sized strips of dark green paper and glued them down spaced apart, overlapping the lighter green strips. Classroom Management: Students returned to the classroom and seated themselves around the outside perimeter of the tables. The teacher sorted through and set aside stamp pads of assorted colors. She demonstrated how to make a thumbprint and placed it on one of the blades of grass. |
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Next, students were shown how to make bugs out of their thumb and fingerprints by using sharpies and drawing legs, antennas, wings and eyes. Students used a guide of simplified drawn bugs provided from the teacher.
Eventually, students will make as many types of bugs they like by viewing a template bug guide.