COUGARS VISUAL ARTS

K5

TAR BEACH

FAITH RINGGOLD

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR

UNIT:  I CAN FLY

OBJECTIVES & CONCEPTS

• To introduce Faith Ringgold as an author-illustrator and her book Tar Beach.
• Define "I Can Fly".
• To focus on a work of art created out of paper, paint, crayons, and markers.
• To explore pattern by overlapping color and design. 

 PROCEDURES:

1. Read and discuss Tar Beach.
2. Discus with children Faith Ringgold's artistic background, including her use of fabric as a medium.  Explain how the images you see are actually scenes from her childhood. Family  is very important to her.  This is where she draws her INSPIRATION.
3. Ask children what building they would like to own if they could fly over it.  Brainstorm a list together of the answers.
4. Discuss what is meant by "I Can Fly". 
5. Explain that we are going to create a piece of artwork on our own.
6. Everyone will be creating their own quilt squares with the use of different kinds of patterns, their own building, and themselves flying.  
7. Everyone will stand up and fly around the room to get their artistic selves flowing.