Lesson #6: Eric Carle Collage

Image source: http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/images/Collage-linda.jpg

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Students will be creating collage animals using a technique inspired by Eric Carle using a variety of paper that students will create themselves. This lesson is appropriate for a grade two class.

Materials: 

• Construction Paper
• Crayons
• Water Colour Paint
• Wet Sponge
• Rubber Stamps
• News Paper
• Thick Tempera Paint
• Scissors
• Glue
• Large Sheets of White Paper

Directions:

Step one: Read some Eric Carle books with students. Prior to reading instruct students to focus on all of the different kinds of materials he uses to create one animal. Also focus on the contrasting colours Carle uses. 

Step two: Instruct students that they will be creating a variety of textured paper that they will then cut out and create a picture with. Students will move among different stations creating different textured paper. Tell students to start at their first station with a colour they like, and at other stations choose colours that compliment their first colour and contrast the first colour. Have students create textured paper starting with lightly coloured construction paper. When students head to stations to create their 

Step three: Stations: (have students write their names on the back of their paper before they start.

1. Crayon Texture Rubbings: have students colour the sheet with various crayon colours. Then have students paint over sheet with water colour.
2. Wet in Wet Water Colour: Dampen paper with wet sponge. Have students paint over wet paper with water colour paint.
3. Wet in Wet Stamping: Dampen paper with wet sponge. Have students press stamps into concentrated water colour paint and stamp all over paper.
4. Splatter Water Colour: have station covered in newspaper. Allow students to splatter paper with water colour paint.
5. Tempera Paint Station: have students create textures with thick tempera paint on a dry brush. 

Step four: Students can create whatever they want; animals, people, houses still lives. Or can be directed to only make animals etc. Have students plan what they want to create. Encourage students to remember contrasting and complimentary colours, as well as repeating patterns and any other techniques they noticed in Eric Carle's work. 

Step five: Have students cut out pieces of their paper to create their animals and their boarders and glue to their paper.

Step six: Have students write a reflection on what they chose to create and why they chose their colours. 

This lesson plan has been adapted from the website: http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/Linda-Carle.htm