Exploring Alma Thomas

Lesson Overview

Grade Level: Kindergarten
Subject: Art
Duration: 45 minutes per session (2 Days)
Standards:

• National Core Arts Standards (NCAS)
  • Anchor Standard #1: Generate and develop artistic ideas and work.
  • Anchor Standard #2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
  • Anchor Standard #7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
  • Anchor Standard #10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.

Objective(s):

• Students will learn about artist Alma Thomas.
• Students will examine Alma Thomas' artwork and artistic style.
• Students will identify primary colors (red, yellow, blue).

"I Can" Statements:

✔ I can talk about the artist Alma Thomas.
✔ I can describe an artist's artwork and style.
✔ I can identify primary colors (red, yellow, blue).

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Materials Needed:

Day 1:

• Book: Alma’s Art (for Read Aloud)
• Digital slides showcasing Alma Thomas & her artwork
• White construction paper (9x12 size)
• Pre-cut small squares in primary colors (red, yellow, blue)
• Glue sticks
• Crayons or markers
• "My Alma Thomas Little Book" worksheets
• Chart paper with the question: "What do you notice about Alma Thomas' artwork?"

Day 2:

• Book: Monsters Love Colors (for Read Aloud)
• Primary Color Song lyrics (on chart paper)
• Colored paper (red, yellow, blue) for collage
• Pre-cut paper in various shapes (squares, circles, triangles)
• Glue
• "Color Family" early finisher activity sheets

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Procedures

Day 1: Introduction to Alma Thomas (45 minutes)

1. Read Aloud (10 minutes)

• Teacher reads Alma’s Art aloud, prompting students to notice the colors and patterns in the illustrations.
• Ask guiding questions:
  • "What do you notice about the colors Alma Thomas loved to use?"
  • "How do the colors make you feel?"

2. Introduce Artist Alma Thomas (10 minutes)

• Show slides featuring Alma Thomas, discussing key facts:
  • African American artist known for her bright, mosaic-like paintings.
  • Used small dabs of paint to create movement and pattern.
  • Loved nature and often painted gardens, flowers, and the sky.
• Display some of her famous artworks.
• Ask students: "What shapes do you see in her work?" "What colors stand out?"

3. Mini Alma Thomas Project (15 minutes)

• Demonstrate simple collage inspired by Alma Thomas using small squares of red, yellow, and blue paper.
• Students will glue their squares onto white paper, making their own "mosaic-style" collage.

4. Work on Alma Thomas Little Book (10 minutes)

• Distribute "My Alma Thomas Little Book" (a simple booklet where students color and match primary colors).
• Students will color pictures using primary colors and discuss what they learned.

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Day 2: Exploring Primary Colors (45 minutes)

1. Review Alma Thomas (5 minutes)

• Show a piece of her art and ask: "What do you remember about Alma Thomas?"
• Review primary colors: "What colors did Alma Thomas love to use?"

2. Read Aloud (10 minutes)

• Read Monsters Love Colors aloud to emphasize primary colors and mixing.
• Engage students: "What happens when colors mix?"

3. Primary Color Song & Movement (5 minutes)

• Teach a simple Primary Color Song (sung to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star):
  • 🎶 "Red, yellow, blue you see,
    These are primary colors three.
    Mix them up and you will find,
    Other colors you can combine!" 🎶
• Have students stand up and "dance" to the different colors.

4. Primary Color Collage Project (Ripped Paper Collage) (20 minutes)

• Show examples of ripped-paper collages.
• Give students pre-cut shapes in primary colors.
• Let them rip and glue the pieces onto white paper in their own pattern.
• Encourage creativity: "Does your artwork remind you of Alma Thomas?"

5. Early Finisher Activity (Color Family Coloring Sheets) (5 minutes)

• Students who finish early can complete a coloring sheet focusing on warm and cool color families.

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Assessment & Reflection

Formative Assessment:

• Ongoing observations: Teacher will walk around, asking questions such as:
  • "What colors did Alma Thomas love to use?"
  • "Can you find all the primary colors in your artwork?"

Summative Assessment:

• Completed Alma Thomas-inspired collage project: Students will share their artwork with the class, describing what colors they used.
• Little Book Check: Teacher will quickly review students’ "My Alma Thomas Little Book" to ensure understanding of primary colors.

Reflection with Students:

• “What was your favorite part of today’s art lesson?”
• “Can you name the three primary colors?”

Teacher Reflection Notes:

• Did students grasp the concept of primary colors?
• Did they engage with Alma Thomas' artwork?
• Were the materials age-appropriate and accessible?

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Differentiation & Extensions

✅ Support for All Learners:

• Provide pre-ripped paper for students who struggle with fine motor skills.
• Use visuals and anchor charts to reinforce concepts.

✅ Challenge for Early Finishers:

• Ask them to arrange their colors in a rainbow pattern or create a secondary color by overlapping pieces.

✅ At-Home Extension:

• Encourage students to find primary colors at home and draw something inspired by Alma Thomas.

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Teacher WOW Factor ✨

This detailed lesson plan seamlessly integrates reading, music, hands-on art, and artist study to create a multi-sensory experience for kindergarten students. The playful approach to color exploration ensures engagement, retention, and creativity. This lesson plan doesn't just teach art—it creates an experience that blends literacy, history, and self-expression! 🚀🎨