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Summary:

Objectives:

Our school district recently completed a theme year of "Eric Carle and Our Very Hungry Learners" This is one of our integrated lessons that we used to create a bulletin board, for the school main entrance.

Students will:

• Read Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
• Create a collage seahorse
• Write down what makes his/her school so special

What You Need:

• 5 x 7 index cards in bright colors
• pen or extra fine tip markers

• Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
• Watercolor paper 6 X 9
• Liquid Watercolors*
• Containers for liquid watercolors
• Watercolor brush
• Water containers
• Oil pastels
• Glitter
• Metallic paper
• Colored corrugated paper
• Large white roll paper to cover bulletin board
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue
• Drying rack

What You Do:

1. Using scrap paper, have students write a paragraph about what makes their school so special.
2. Have students write their final version on an index card with pen or extra fine tip markers.

First lesson: Read book and watercolor wash

1. Read Mister Seahorse to students and discuss.
2. Talk about what a collage is and how it is made. (If possible, watch Eric Carle Picture Writer video)
3. Pass out watercolor paper and ask students to writer their name in the corner with pencil.
4. Demonstrate the application of paint:
   
   • Apply water with large brush to cover entire surface of watercolor paper.
     
   • Place small drops of liquid watercolor on paper -- colors will "bleed" together.
     
   • Place on drying rack.
     
   • On large white roll paper paint, create wavy lines and spatters with liquid watercolors to create a watery background.
5. Encourage students to do as demonstrated.

1. Pass out watercolor papers from previous lesson.
2. On the back of the painted papers, have students draw large seahorses (using the book as reference). Make sure students know not to draw spikes along back and head (these will be added later).
3. Students cut out the seahorse shape.
4. Students cut out triangles out of metallic and corrugated papers to create spikes for the back and head.
5. Students add details with oil pastels and glitter.
6. Place on drying rack.

1. Staple the background paper to the bulletin board.
2. Cut out letters to create the words "We maybe fish of a different kind, but in this school we swim together" and place onto bulletin board.
3. Add seahorses and the student's index cards.
4. Voila!

Resources:

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
http://www.picturebookart.org/

Recommended Books/Videos:

• Bulletin Boards for Every Month
• Creative Resources for Bulletin Boards in the Early Childhood Classroom
• Easy-To-Duplicate School and Education Borders
• Everyday Bulletin Boards
• Interactive Bulletin Boards: Language Arts
• Middle School Bulletin Boards
• More Bright and Beautiful Bulletin Boards

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