The Art Lesson:
"Layers of Color" Collage

This writing and art project was created by Northern Nevada Writing Project Consultant Barbara Surritte-Barker. This page contains the lesson plan for the writing portion of this lesson.

Click here to access this lesson's accompanying writing project.

Here is an example of a student with a finished "Layers of Color" collage.

Jose, seventh grader

Art Lesson Overview:

This is an art project that will be completed in layers. The first layer is a white piece of construction paper. Students create the additional layers as they brainstorm and publish an original color poem.

Lesson Materials:

• Tempura paint in a variety of colors
• 9” x 12” white construction paper
• Magazines
• Glue
• Access to computers with word processing

Art Lesson Instructions:

Art Lesson, step 1: Remind students that just like writing, creating a piece of art is done in layers. Our first layer is our white construction paper. Our second layer will be our color painting.Using the tempura paint, have students paint their favorite color on their white paper. Students should not be expected to paint anything specifically, just random designs.

I only allow 10 minutes to complete this step, as students might otherwise get carried away. You’ll also need to remind students that this is only the first step, that because we’re working in layers, we’ll need to see some of the white layer showing through on their finished product.

After completing this step, while your student work is drying, begin to work on the second page of the graphic organizer for their poems.

Art Lesson, step 2: Once the paint has dried, students will work on layer three. Have students cut out pictures from magazines that represent their color. Pictures should be glued on their paper. Allow this piece to dry. See Step 2 of the writing project.

Art Lesson, step 3: This step will be completed once their poetry piece is done.Have students identify five sentences from their poem that they particularly like and reflect the depth of their color. Have them type those sentences up, cut them out and glue them on their colorful layers piece. Once this step has been completed, the finished poetry piece and art project are ready to be published.

Some Teaching "Hints" from this Lesson's Author:

• Timing is the critical factor with this lesson. Plan on either three one-hour sessions or one three-hour sessions. The artwork needs time to dry before the next layer can be added.

Additional Student Art Samples:

Connie, seventh grader