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Pencils, sketchbooks, props, natural history artifacts, laminated images of artwork for various artists, and a live animal. ( For Arts Focuses Programs we additionally supply paper, crayons, and color pencils.)

Pencil for each students.
Clean desks for workspace.
Room on the floor to make a circle, to meet animal.

We need open floor space (so all students can sit in a circle on the floor to meet the animals at the end of the program) and tables or desks (so all students will be able to observe and draw the animals). The first half is drawing at desks. The second half is sitting in a circle on the floor to observe and draw an animal for last 45 minutes of class.

I CAN make an observational drawing of an animal inspired by great artists from history. I CAN understand the meaning of "observe" and how it is employed by both scientists and artists. I CAN understand that asking questions is often equally important to the answers in the discovery investigation process. I CAN notice and wonder many things when observing. I CAN tell you that people from different places and times have made art for a variety of reasons. I CAN observe and draw an animal from multiple directions. . I CAN tell you about the life cycle and food web of a wild animal in our CT climate.

From Rousseau"s fierce jungles to Audubon"s scientific watercolors, many artists over the centuries have been inspired by animals. Now it is your chance to join their ranks and create some animal artwork of your own! Students will have the opportunity to sketch a live animal from the Lutz Children"s Museum in their very own homemade sketchbooks.

Students will learn about several famous artists and practice several different types of fun and challenging drawing exercises to build observational skills, fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, and imagination.
Gathered around a circle on the floor students will quietly observe a live animal. The teaching artist will make observations and ask students specific questions so they too can make observations. Teaching artist will engage the children in dramatic play as they discover the animal's habitat, nutritional needs and predators. Students will draw the animal during the duration of class as well as write observation in their notebooks. Students will pet the animal at the end of class.

One caregivers/teacher would have the opportunity to encourage students during drawing exercises in the first half.