NAEA Lesson/Unit Plan Template
Name: Mrs. Robinett
School: Salesian Elementary and Junior High School/Monterey County Diocese
Lesson/Unit Title: George Rodrigue-Blue Dog
Lesson/Unit Overview:
Students learn how to create depth and texture by using various mixed media supplies.
Students also learn about painting wet on wet techniques as well as painting shapes.
Lastly they learn about the use of warm and cool colors and the effect it has on artwork.
Grade Level: Primary Elementary (PK-2)
Media Type: Mixed Media.
Duration: One 90 minute session or two 45 minute sessions.
Entry Point For Generating Lesson/Unit Ideas: The work of artist George Rodrigue
and students love of dogs inspired this lesson.
Artwork/Artists: George Rodrigue-Blue Dog:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/145804106660727615/ the book “Why is the Blue
Dog Blue?” http://www.amazon.com/Why-Is-BlueDog/dp/1584791624/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404850292&sr=81&keywords=why+is+the+blue+dog+blue And the lesson on my blog:
http://laselvabeachart.com/category/first-grade-art-lessons-2/
Media: Tempera paint, tissue, sprinkles and watercolor paper.
Subject Matter: Portrait.
Concepts: Unity, Process and Historical Concepts are used.
Art Concepts:
o Unity can be achieved by placing warm colors together in the background.
o Shapes can be used to create space.
o Variety is used when placing cool colors on top of warm colors.
Process Concepts:
o Tissue can be used to created depth and texture.
o Using a wet on wet brush technique adds dimension.
Historical Concepts:
o Artists take an everyday visual of a dog and make it unique by adding bold
unrealistic colors and facial features.
o Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing and with fresh ideas
about the nature of materials and functions of art.
Enduring Ideas: Enduring ideas are statements summarizing important ideas that are
central to the art lesson and have lasting value beyond the classroom. They synthesize
what students should understand—not just know or do—as a result of the learning that
took place in this lesson.
Enduring Ideas:
o People, Places and Things (like dogs) continuously influences our lives.
o People use symbols (such as their pet dog) to express feelings and ideas.
o Everyone shares the universal experience of owning a dog, cat, brother, sister etc and
the influence/impact they have on our life.
Theme: In the visual arts, a theme is a broad idea or a message conveyed by work done
in a visual experience, such as a performance, a painting, or a motion picture. This
message is usually about life, society or human nature.
Themes in Art:
o George Rodique is using his dog Tiffany as a story teller for his life
Rationale: This lesson is important because it teaches the students that many things can
have an effect positive or negative on our lives. Not just people but pets as well.
Objectives: That taking everyday images and making them fun and different is a way to
create new art. Using everyday materials such as tissue and glue can also add dimension
and depth to art projects.
Objective(s) for Planning:
o Students will discuss George Rodrigues work and why he painted the Blue Dog blue.
o They will read about his background and discuss his childhood pet Tiffany and how
he created a lasting persona for his pet through his art.
o Students will discuss art in their community that also utilize these kinds of theory and
subject material.
Objective(s) for the Product(s):
o Students will use warm colors and shapes with tissue to create depth and texture.
o Students will review warm and cool colors and the effect they have on their artwork.
Objective(s) for Student Reflection:
Student Reflection:
o Students will share people, places or things that have had an impact in their life.
o Students will write or discuss one element or thing that has had a positive impact in
their life with other class mates and the teacher.
Assessment:
Assessing Student Planning:
o Identify the warm and cool colors on your artwork.
o Identify which shapes were used to create ears, eyes, nose and background of the
project.
Assessing student products:
Assessing Student Products:
The final artwork should include:
o Warm color background painted with 2 squares and one rectangle.
o The face of the dog should have a round nose and 2 triangles for ears.
o The dog is glued to the background with button eyes and is completed.
Assessing student reflections:
Assessing Student Reflections:
o Discuss how you divided your paper to make the squares and rectangle for the
background.
o Discuss how you used the brush in a circular motion to create nose as well as how
students used brush to create a triangle shape for both ears.
Content and Achievement Standards:

Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes

Students describe how different materials, techniques, and processes cause
different responses

Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas,
experiences, and stories

Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner
Materials: : Yellow, pink, blue and red tempera paint (black for face, gloss is optional
for a shine) Tissue paper, Large and small brushes, Silver sprinkles, Buttons for eyes,
head and nose cutouts of dog and taped 18 x 24 cold pressed 90 lb student water color
paper. Tacky glue for eyes and body to adhere to background. Large and small brushes
and paper plates for black paint to share.
Procedure:
Lesson One:
First start by discussing George Rodrigues work, reading his bio and showing images of
his Blue Dog work.. Have students start by painting their background. Explain how to
divide the page bottom half into 2 quarters (right side yellow and left side pink and then
top half is red). Begin painting with the yellow tempera (telling them that the tissue will
stick with a good base of paint) and then adhering yellow tissue paper and painting over
it. I usually try and squeeze the tempera paint into the shape of the square that they want
to stay within then hand out the tissue paper the size of the square and teach them how to
scrunch it up and make it fit onto paper. Then use excess paint and a little more to paint
it down to the paper.Do the same for pink and red. Then add silver sprinkles and set
aside.
Lesson 2:
Next read his book “Why is the Blue Dog Blue on Amazon.com to refresh the students
mind and get them back into the project. Layout scratch paper and have the students
paint the blue dog body with blue paint (add the gloss if you want it shiny) next stick the
nose template on and talk about how the nose will stick to the tempera paint because it
has glue in it. Now teach them how to paint the nose with black by doing a circular move
at the end of the nose. Finally have students use small brush to paint the whiskers,
eyebrows and ears black (I talk about the ear shape being a triangle) to assist them.
Finally glue the eyes and body of the dog to the background and you are finished.
Resources:
http://georgerodrigue.com/
http://laselvabeachart.com/category/first-grade-art-lessons-2/
http://www.georgerodrigue.com/whyisbluedogblue.htm
Cross Curriculum Integration:
Art History, math (shapes and dividing paper)
Differentiated Instruction:
Have students assist each other or have aid during class. Discuss the math and art
history elements at greater length.
Searchable Keywords:
George Rodrigue, first grade blue dog art lesson, blue dog.