Lesson Plan: Abstract Botanical Sun Catcher

Introduction to the Life and Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe

Meets the learning standards for grades 4-5 (can be adapted)

Media Type: Drawing, Assemblage

Subject Integration: Fine Arts, English Language Arts and Reading, Science

Description of the Activities/Workshop: Using both Scientific and Artistic lenses to explore the subjects
and impact of ground-breaking works of art; Using fine motor skills, observation, movement, and
color to create abstract botanical sun catchers inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s work.

Why am I teaching this: Arts Integration Thread (to catalyze the learning of content outside of art), Art
Skills Development Thread (to deepen the development of art-making skills)

Materials: writing materials, paper, wax paper, permanent marker, crayons (old and broken crayons
work great!), cardboard (optional), small cups or containers (optional)

Special Equipment: pencil sharpener or cheese grater, old towel, electric iron

TEKS: 110.7 knowledge and skills 1, 2, 3, 7, 12

112.15 knowledge and skills 1, 2, 3, 7, 9

112.16 knowledge and skills 1, 2, 3, 9

117.14/117.17 knowledge and skills 1, 2, 3, 4

117.16/117.19 knowledge and skills 1, 2, 5

Focus Question: How did Georgia O’Keeffe express her admiration for the objects and scenery in her
day-to-day life, and how did she use abstraction to present them in new and exciting ways?

Opening:

1. Introduce learners to botanical concepts and vocabulary with this video and song about the
Plants Life Cycle (lesson starts at the 1-minute mark) https://youtu.be/z51I8h5o2u8

Activity 1:

2. Present learners with the attached word search and vocabulary list at the bottom of these
lesson plans to work on independently.
3. Share this video of fan dancers on America’s Got Talent: https://youtu.be/kZwKBTNXM-Q. How
does the dance represent qualities of flowers? Did they remind you of any specific plants or
moments of the plant life cycle? Discuss.
4. Keeping in mind the fluidity and grace of the Jasmine Flower dancers, have learners write their
botanical terms and definitions in cursive. Ask learners to select a word from the vocabulary list
to write in the air as if it were a flower dance. Are they inspired to create more flower dances?
Share! Reflect!

Activity 2:

5. Share this video of famous American artist, Georgia O’Keeffe https://youtu.be/C3iKpM0H6Ek

6. Focusing on Georgia’s flowers, what do learners observe about their simplicity or complexity?
What do they notice about the choice of colors and the manor of blending? How does it make
them feel to examine something so closely? To enlarge something that is normally so small?
7. Have each learner select one of Georgia’s flower paintings for closer study. Challenge learners to
draw a quick, 5-minute sketch of the painting they selected, and use at least 5 terms from the
vocabulary list to identify and label (in cursive) the parts of the flower in the Georgia O’Keeffe
painting they chose.

Activity 3:

8. Per Wikipedia: “Abstract art uses visual language of shape, form, color, and line to create a
composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the
world. Western art had been, from the Renaissance up to the middle of the 19th century,
underpinned by the logic of perspective and an attempt to reproduce an illusion of visible
reality.” Prompt learners to discuss this concept.
9. Learners will create art inspired by Georgia’s large, abstracted flowers. If possible, learners can
look for flowers in their neighborhood or yard to use as inspiration. If real flowers are not
available, learners may select a photo online to use as their reference flower.
10. Once learners have selected their reference flower, have them set up their workstation. Direct
learners to closely observe their reference flower, noticing the most important shapes and
colors. Using a permanent marker, learners should draw a LARGE, simple version of their flower
and greenery on a piece of wax paper. The drawing should fill the space, but not include very
many small details.
11. Next, learners will need to select the colors for their project. Encourage them to use 6 colors or
less. Once they have selected their colors, they must peel all the paper from crayons they are
using and use the pencil sharpener to create shavings. Try to keep the different colors of
shavings separated.

12. Set up your ironing station: lay an old towel down on the work area to protect it. Place a piece of
cardboard on top of the towel to create a flat surface. Lay the drawing on top of the cardboard.
Spread a very thin layer of crayon shavings over the different areas of the drawing. (*a little
goes a LONG way. The color will spread when heated).
13. Once all the colors have been added to the design, carefully lower another piece of wax paper
over the shavings. Be careful not to bump, jostle, or shift the drawing underneath.

14. *This step should have Adult Supervision: Turn on your iron and set it to the lowest
temperature, without steam. Place a piece of regular paper over your project. Learners should
be ironing over the plain paper and never touching the iron to the wax paper. Lightly iron the
project, moving the plain paper so that the whole project eventually gets ironed. (*this step
does not take very long at all. Start with very short ironing times so that you don’t over melt).

15. Once the learners are satisfied with their melting job, have them return to their drawing station.
Learners may use permanent markers to redefine their initial drawing or to add additional
details.
 16. Beautiful! These projects look incredible when light is shining through them. How will you
display yours? In the Window? As a night-light? Be creative!

Closing:

Share… Reflect!!! How did our knowledge of botany help us interact with works of art? How did the
Jasmine Flower dancers teach us about abstract representations of a subject, without realistic
depictions? How did the movement of the dance and the writing in cursive help you to create graceful
shapes in your flower drawings?
 Plant Life Cycle
Word Search

WHO MADE THIS?

Created by Kim White Steele for Puzzles to Print.

CONTACT

admin@puzzles-to-print.com
Puzzles to Print on Teachers Pay Teachers
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ILLUSTRATIONS

All images used under license from Dreamstime.com - ID

131168305 © Nadiia Havryliuk Kharzhevska.

COPYRIGHT

© 2020 Kim White Steele - All rights reserved.

Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Not for public display.
Name: ______________________________________ Date: ______________________

DIRECTIONS:
Find and circle the
Plant Life Cycle
vocabulary words
in the grid. Look
for them in all
directions including
backwards and
diagonally.

DISPERSION
EMBRYO
ENDOSPERM
FERTILIZATION
FLOWER
FRUIT
GERMINATION
INSECTS
LEAVES
MOISTURE

NECTAR SHELL
NUTRIENTS SOIL
OVULES SPORE
OXYGEN SPROUT
PHOTOSYNTHESIS STAMEN
POLLEN STEM
POLLINATION STIGMA
REPRODUCTION SUNLIGHT
ROOTS TEMPERATURE
SEEDLING WATER
SEEDS WIND

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Plant Life Cycle
Word Search

SOLUTION

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