Moon-lit Cityscapes

Fourth Grade Lesson:  Moon-lit Cityscapes

               The objective of this lesson was for the students to be able to (SWBAT) create a cityscape design showing light and dark in the moonlight.  The students have had lots of practice this year with painting and this lesson required the students to be able to lighten and darken a color by mixing white and black to create different values of a color. 

How did the students do it? Day 1-2 (Background work) First, they were shown a teacher-created model of the finished assignment.  Then, they were shown how to mix white with their chosen color, blue or purple, to make the color lighter with each section.  The students created a ring of circles on their paper.  Next, the students chose their colors and began mixing and painting.  Each ring slowly became darker as the rings went out of the center.  Students painted the whole page with the moonlight rings.  On Day 3-4, foreground work, the students sketched out their building shapes and started painting them black with white windows.  The black buildings with the valued background create contrast and gives emphasis to the moonlight. 

               The students were challenged with the idea of making a color get lighter or darker at least five times in this lesson.  However, they did not give up and were very pleased at how their projects turned out.  I was amazed to see the students helping each other in class, whether it was giving each other mixing tips or complimenting each others’ work.  Also, the students were able to make connections to the lesson.  When I introduce this lesson again in the future, I will add a few more objects to be with the buildings, such as trees, cars, or people.  I could have them use warm colors (red, yellow, and orange) to create a sunset or sunrise cityscape.  Also, I will add a writing component where the students will use poetry to compliment their designs.