Lesson Plan Title : Puzzle Pictures

Age Range: Grade 3 through grade 5

Overview and Purpose: This activity is a fun way for students to explore patterns and design. Students can also use it practice using contrasting or complimenting colors, warm or cool ones, or primary and secondary ones.

Objective: The student will be able to create a picture using at least two sets of four puzzle pieces and paint.

Resources:

Two to four puzzle piece sets per student (four interlocking puzzle pieces per set)

Paint

Brushes

Paper

Newspaper

Paper towels

Activities:

Cover the table in newspaper. Have the students put one of their sets of puzzle pieces together and paint each piece a separate color. They can then press their paper on top of the puzzle pieces to make a design. This can be repeated as many times as they like. If they paint on the waxy side of the puzzle, they can wipe the paint off and re-use the pieces several times. Students can also exchange sets.

Wrap Up:

Students can use this technique to create backgrounds for other pictures, wrapping paper, or frames for pictures. Using different sized sets of pieces will allow students to be more creative.