### Lesson Plan: Collage and Mixed Media for 2nd Grade
**Grade Level:** 2nd Grade
**Subject:** Art
**Topic:** Collage and Mixed Media
**Duration:** 1 Hour
**Objective:**
- Students will understand what a collage is.
- Students will learn basic collage techniques using different materials.
- Students will create their own mixed media collage piece.
**Materials Needed:**
- Various colored and patterned papers (magazine cutouts, construction paper, tissue paper)
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Crayons, markers, and colored pencils
- Brushes and watercolor paints
- Buttons, fabric scraps, yarn, or any other small decorative items
- Large sheets of construction paper for the base of the collage
**Standards:**
- Students will explore and experiment with a variety of arts materials and tools to create and perform works of art.
- Students will identify unique, personal artistic choices in creating artwork.
### Lesson Plan Details:
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Greeting and Objective Overview:**
- Welcome students and explain the day's goal: to learn about and create a collage.
- Briefly discuss what a collage is (a piece of art made by sticking different materials such as paper, fabric, or photographs onto a backing).
2. **Visual Examples:**
- Show examples of different types of collages (simple paper collages, mixed media with various materials).
- Discuss elements that make each example unique.
**Instruction (15 minutes):**
1. **Demonstration:**
- Explain and demonstrate various collage techniques.
- Cutting out shapes and images from magazines.
- Tearing paper for textured edges.
- Layering materials for depth.
- Introduce the idea of mixed media by adding elements like buttons, yarn, or paint.
2. **Safety and Usage of Tools:**
- Discuss the proper way to use scissors safely.
- Show how to apply glue sparingly for a neat finish.
- Explain the importance of cleaning up after using paints and other materials.
**Activity (30 minutes):**
1. **Creating the Collage:**
- Hand out materials to students.
- Guide students through the process of starting their collage:
- Select a theme (e.g., nature, animals, outer space, etc.).
- Choose and arrange materials on the base paper.
- Encourage students to experiment with layering and combining different materials.
2. **Support and Assist:**
- Walk around the room, offering help and encouraging creativity.
- Ask guiding questions (e.g., "What are you planning to use for the background?" "How can you make this part stand out more?").
**Conclusion (5 minutes):**
1. **Sharing and Clean-Up:**
- Invite students to share their collages with the class and explain their creative choices.
- Facilitate a short discussion on what they enjoyed about the process.
2. **Reflection:**
- Ask students what new materials or techniques they would like to try in the future.
- Briefly recap what they learned about collage and mixed media.
3. **Clean-Up:**
- Ensure that all students help to clean up their workspaces, return supplies, and wash any paintbrushes used.
**Assessment:**
- Observe students' participation and creativity during the activity.
- Assess students’ understanding through their ability to explain their artwork and the different techniques/materials they used.
### Additional Notes:
- Adjust the difficulty of the lesson based on the students' skill levels and familiarity with the materials.
- Consider background music or a themed playlist to inspire creativity during the activity.
- Prepare extension activities or projects for students who finish early to keep them engaged.
This lesson plan aims to foster creativity, enhance fine motor skills, and introduce second graders to the diverse world of collage and mixed media art.