Kukamunga Water Resist Painting, Ocean Animal Adaptations

Objectives:

• Students will incorporate at least three different body parts, particularly adapted to ocean life, into their paintings.
• Students will write a short story about their Kukamunga, including an explanation of the usefulness of their body parts.
• Students will take pride in their artistic endeavors.

Materials:

• white drawing paper (12" x 18")
• damp sponge
• standard school watercolor sets
• watercolor brushes
• crayons
• lined paper
• pencil
• children's resource books

Procedures:

1. Talk about different body parts we have already seen on ocean animals that help them in the ocean. (flippers, fins, shells, scales, flat bodies, camouflage...) Remind them that we always have our resource books available to flip through for ideas when we are stumped.
2. Explain that we are going to make a Kukamunga. A Kukamunga is an animal made up in our head from different parts of different animals. What might be some combinations? Take suggestions. In our drawings, we need to use at least three ocean body parts. Use your creativity! The first thing we'll do is draw the Kukamunga in pencil. (All directions will be listed on the board.) When we like it, we'll trace over it in bright crayon. When you have the crayon drawn on, raise your hand and I will come by with a damp sponge to wipe your picture. That will make the paper ready for the watercolors. Pick up a paint set and a brush from the table then get painting. Remember that we used a lot of reds, oranges, and yellows in the desert because...? (they are hot colors.) What colors would give the best ocean mood? (cool colors: blue, green, and purple.) When you are done, raise your hand again and I'll put your painting in a safe place to dry. It should look something like this when it is finished. (Show mine, done previously.) As your painting is drying, take out a sheet of paper and write about your Kukamunga's body. You must talk about all three (or more) of your body parts and give a reason for its usefulness in the ocean. Be as creative as you can. Write a short story about your new animal. Here's one I wrote about mine. Listen, it may help you write yours. (read my story)
3. Pass out the white paper and let them get started.
4. Circulate in the room and help as needed.

Evaluation:

1. Look at the painting. Are there three distinct adaptation body parts on the Kukamunga's body?
2. Read their stories. They must have written about three body parts and a use for each of those parts.
3. Did they rush through the painting? Was care taken to avoid scribbled work, sloppy painting, and spilt water? Was time taken to add details to the Kukamunga?

Extensions/ Reteaching Strategies:

• Read the stories to the class and see if they can tell which painting matches the story.