Level
Grade 3-6

Objective
Students will learn about American modern artist Alexander Calder by being introduced to his art, and then by creating their own masterpiece after his work. This free lesson plan is designed to fulfill the National Standards for Art Education: Grades K-4/Standard 3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas; and Grades 5-8/Standard 2: Using knowledge of structures and functions.

Materials
4" Sugar Cookies
Cookie Frosting
Food Coloring
Popsicle Sticks or Paint Brushes
Icing Bag (or sandwich bag with corner cut)
Cookie Design Worksheet

Lesson

Step 1
Show the students a color plate of Red Nose (1969). Ask students, "Who remembers the name of the artist that created this art masterpiece?" (Alexander Calder)

Step 2
Show students color plates of 2 similar works: Lunarscape (1953) or Caterpillar on Spiral (1966). Ask students, "Who can compare these three paintings and tell me what is the same?" (Child-like art, simple color palet, spirals)

Step 3
Tell students "Our project will be to create your own art masterpiece following these examples of Calder's art on a cookie."

Step 4
Tell students, "On your table you will find an Art Masterpiece Cookie Design Worksheet with three large circles and several crayons. Our first step is to draw a design for your cookie on this worksheet. Your design should use elements that we have seen in Calder's art."

Step 5
Provide each student with a sugar cookie, an icing bag with black frosting, a popsicle stick or clean paint brush, and access to the premixed colors of frosting.

Step 6
Tell students, "You may begin to paint your Calder cookie."

Step 7
Quiz students about Alexander Calder as they paint.

1) Where was Calder born? (Pennsylvania)

2) What era was he from? (Modern Era)

3) What is similar about the three Calder paintings that I showed you? (Child-like art, simple color palet, spirals)

4) What is Calder most famous for? (Inventing and creating mobiles. He also created toys, tapestry and jewelry.)

Variation
Students may enjoy learning about Alexander Calder by printing a Calder Cookie Worksheet, and recreating the cookie featured in this lesson.

Have fun!