Lines, Lines, Lines!

One of the first lessons I always introduce to students is line. Line is one of the most important Elements of design because we ALWAYS use them. I think it is really important for students of this age to understand what types of marks they are using when drawing. In this lesson, students are first introduced to the 3 straight lines. (Vertical, Horizontal and Diagonal) We then play the line game and create these straight lines using our bodies! After the students understand the difference between these 3 lines we look for them around the room. (They were SO good at this! I was pleasantly surprised!) They found them in the lights, on the desks, chairs, floor and many other places that I honestly never really thought about myself. Then we got down to business!! Each student was given a paper that was divided into 8 different squares. In a guided drawing, the students drew multiple of the same lines in each box. This also helps me to see where each student is as far as ability to listen to guided instruction and fine motor skills. After the students drew with pencil all the different lines they were told (including curved lines), they traced these lines with different color oil pastels. By the next class, they will add paint to each square with a different color for each, over the lines they had drawn. The result is a colorful piece of abstract art!

Learning Objectives: the understanding of how to draw a line and the name of each. 
Fine motor skills (drawing different lines inside a confined box)
Techniques in using watercolor paints (water, paint , paper!) and oil pastels. 

ART WORDS:
Vertical Line: a straight line that goes up and down.
Horizontal Line: a straight line that goes across from side to side.
Diagonal: a straight line that is slanted.