Lesson Plan Submitted by Jim O'Kelly.
Grades: 1 - 5th grade
Materials:
Procedure:
I got the idea for this lesson when I was reading the picture book "Swimmy"
by Leo Lionni to my kindergarten class a few years ago. Leaf through "Swimmy" pointing out the various forms of plant life depicted in the illustrations. Discuss the possible ways the illustrator created those images. Challenge the children to create various types of seaweed by painting a variety of lines (eg, different colors, wavy lines, zigzag lines, curly lines, crisscrossing lines) that extend from the top of the paper to the bottom.
An extension of this lesson might be to create not only the seaweed, but other plant forms found in the book. Students would use Tracing Paper
and tissue paper
when they create their objects. The tissue paper is then glued on a frame and a light sourced is held behind it to light it up (See above). The fish might be animated by using sticks that can be used in a theater production the kids create. Use the PDF documents below for resources for your theater production. (Photo from Kids Entertainment. They have other resources for purchase there.)
Resources
Swimmy Resources Guide 
- This PDF resource by Mary Langille includes the integration of theater, mathematics, music, and science.
Swimmy, Frederick, and Inch by Inch - This PDF resource by Mermaid Theater includes additional art activities as well as the integration of other subject matters.
