THE NIGHT SKY – Colour, Shape, The Big Dipper

Students use white crayons, watercolour paints and construction paper to create a mixed media landscape that includes the Ursa Major (Big Bear) constellation in the sky and a bear somewhere on the ground.

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THE NIGHT SKY – Colour, Shape, The Big Dipper

Supplies:

  • Crayola Regular White Crayons
  • Crayola Watercolour Paints
  • Crayola Paint Brushes
  • Crayola Marker & Watercolour Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12")
  • Crayola Construction Paper
  • Crayola Scissors
  • Crayola Glue Sticks
  • Crayola Glitter Glue
  • Water Containers
  • Green Masking Tape
  • Bristol Board - 30.5 cm x 30 5 cm (12" x 12") - 1 per student
 

Steps:

1
Step 1
  1. Place your paper on top of the Ursa Major template. (Downloads - UrsaMajorTemplate.pdf)
  2. Make sure the template is close to the top of the paper.
  3. Use a white crayon to trace the circles for the constellation on your paper.
  4. Make the circles for the Big Dipper larger than the other circles.
  5. Press hard with the crayon to get lots of wax on the paper.
2
Step 2
  1. Tape all 4 sides of your paper to a piece of Bristol board.
  2. Measure and mark 2 spots about 6 cm from the bottom of your paper.
  3. Use the marks as a rough guide to draw a line for the ground.
  4. Erase the marks.
  5. Let the rest of your paper be the sky.
3
Step 3
  1. Use watercolours to paint over the whole paper.
  2. Use several colours and let them bleed into each other.
  3. Allow the painting to dry.
  4. Carefully remove the tape from the edges.
4
Step 4
  1. Cut a bear and other details out of construction paper.
  2. Carefully glue them into place.
  3. Use markers and pencils for small details.
  4. Use a toothpick to stick glitter glue on the stars.
  5. When you are finished, view your picture from a distance.
  6. Look at it with fresh eyes.
  7. What does it tell us about the night sky?
  8. What do you like best about your picture?
  • Subjects:

    • Language Arts,

    • Science,

    • Visual Arts

  • Grades:

    • Kindergarten,

    • Grade 1,

    • Grade 2,

    • Grade 3


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