Problem Solving Sunflowers
BASIC LEVEL – SECOND GRADE
HELEN WINDHORST
Visual Arts Standard 3
Elements and Principles
Creating Art Works through Choice
of Subjects, Symbols and Ideas
BENCHMARK:
2. The student incorporate images, subject
and symbols into art works.
3. The student examines the problemsolving process and how it relates to
creating art.
MEDIA: mixed media collage
FOCUS:
The student will create a sunflower
still life using collage techniques with
multiple media.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Students will create a still life based
on the Kansas state
symbol…sunflower.
2. Students will solve the visual
problem of using tissue in a unique
personal way to make sunflower
petals.
3. Students will cut a symmetrical
vase.
4. Students will make choice to make
their still life unique.
ASSESSMENT:
Grading Rubric:
4 Consistently achieves above the standard:
You met the objectives and
understood the concept(s)
thoroughly and completely and
included significant and accurate
details. You used prior knowledge
to help you. You related your work
to class discussions. Technically
correct and used prior skills and
creative experimentation.
3 Consistently achieves the standard:
You met the objectives and
understood the concept(s) without
elaboration. Your work shows that
you understood what is important.
You related your work to class
discussion.
Neat, technically correct with little or
no experimentation.
2 Approaching standard:
You met the objective and
understood the concepts. There is
missing information. You did not
relate your work to your prior
knowledge or information shared in
class.
Average craftsmanship. Neatness
was not a priority.
1 Beginning:
Your work shows that you did not
meet the objectives nor understood
the concept(s) of this lesson. You
did not relate your work to your prior
knowledge or information shared in
class.
Some attempt at using your skill and
keeping your work neat.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:
12 X 18 assorted colored construction paper
for background,
3 X 6 assorted construction paper for vase,
3 X 12 assorted papers for table top,
3 X 3 assorted brown squares for flower
centers,
scissors, glue,
2” to 3” assorted warm color tissue squares,
silk sunflowers, cut sunflowers, van Gogh’s
and Monet’s sunflowers, calendar sunflower
pictures, the Kansas state symbols George
Braque and Pablo Picasso still lifes
VOCABULARY:
still life, Kansas state symbols, sunflower,
radial, repeat, radial, random, pattern, odd
problem solving, abstract, background,
foreground, sunflower, petals, center,
leaves, vase, space, symmetrica,l unique
ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES:
warm colors, symmetry, space, pattern
PROCEDURE:
1. Discuss Kansas symbols. View
examples of sunflowers. View
examples of sunflower still lifes and
abstract still lifes
2. Students choose the color of
background they want for their still
life and write their name on the
back. The paper will be used
vertically.
3. Students choose the table top paper
and glue it to the background. As
Picasso and Braque show us it does
not have to be straight across the
bottom.
4. Students choose their vase color
and fold the paper vertically. They
draw ½ half the vase on the fold.
(Teacher demo is very important.
Any symmetrical shape can become
a vase)
5. Students glue the vase to the table
top.
6. Student cut 5 or 7 (odd number) of
brown circles and glue in a random
pattern to the top ½ to 1/3 of the
construction paper above the vase.
7. This is usually all I get done the first
week.
8. Students now have a problem.Give
each student one square of warm
colored tissue paper. Have them
discuss with their table partners how
they can use the tissue to make
petals. Come back together and
allow the students to share their
ideas is a large group (You can use
any cooperative learning strategy
that you like.)
9. Pass out the tissue squares and let
the students create.
10. Stems can be added with ½ green
paper strips. Leaves can be added
with green tissue.
TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS:
Choice is a very important part of creating
art. Framed choices give the security they
need to be individuals without the fear of
failure.
TEACHER NOTES AND REFLECTIONS:
These made an amazing display and the
students got lots of compliments.