second grade
Chinese Dragon
Dragons are an enduring symbol in Chinese culture. In ancient China, the dragon was associated with rain, and a rain dance might be performed in times of drought using dragon figures as part of the ritual. Over time, this association of dragons with power over water evolved into a symbol of general power, strength and good luck to people who are worthy of it.
Images of dragons are common in Chinese art, both in painting and architectural decoration. The dragon has become a symbol of the Chinese culture as a whole. Unlike western cultures which traditionally depict dragons as fierce warriors and terrible, scary creatures, the Chinese depict them as long, beautiful and fierce, commanding power and respect, not terror.
The Dragon dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture that is most often seen today in festive celebrations like Chinese New Year. The dance is performed by a team of dancers who manipulate a long flexible figure of a dragon using poles positioned at regular intervals along the length of the dragon. The dance team mimics the supposed movements of the dragon as a river spirit in a sinuous, using up and down and flowing motions. Because the dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, the longer the dragon in the dance, the more luck it will bring to the community.
Images of dragons are common in Chinese art, both in painting and architectural decoration. The dragon has become a symbol of the Chinese culture as a whole. Unlike western cultures which traditionally depict dragons as fierce warriors and terrible, scary creatures, the Chinese depict them as long, beautiful and fierce, commanding power and respect, not terror.
The Dragon dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture that is most often seen today in festive celebrations like Chinese New Year. The dance is performed by a team of dancers who manipulate a long flexible figure of a dragon using poles positioned at regular intervals along the length of the dragon. The dance team mimics the supposed movements of the dragon as a river spirit in a sinuous, using up and down and flowing motions. Because the dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, the longer the dragon in the dance, the more luck it will bring to the community.
Dragon face template:
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The Project
Prep – 1 hour (includes making sample)
Print –
Materials
18 x 6 piece of butcher paper per student (in teachers workroom on big rolls, use different bright colors)
9 x 12 piece of bright colored construction paper with face stencil drawn on for each student (dragon face stencil is in the 2nd grade file cabinet drawer)
Foam stamps
Tempera paint in bright colors
Paint palettes (large ones, so students can dip sponge stamps in palette)
oil pastels for students to share
Tissue streamers cut in 10 inch lengths, 4 per student
Glue bottles
Lesson
-pass out 18 x 6 butcher paper to each student
-pass out paint palettes with bright colored paint and foam stamps. Students can share a palette and stamps.
-have students work on creating a pattern with their foam stamps and bright colors on their butcher paper.
-have students use the same shape in the same color, so colors don't mix and get muddy
-put aside dragon body to dry
-have students start decorating their dragon mask and also have them put their name on the back of it.
-cut out around mask, eyes, and mouth
-glue streamers and mask on dragon
-let dragons dry on desk if possible
*have parent volunteers wipe off/wash foam stamps and rinse out sponge brushes. Let brushes dry on counter in Art room.
*this is a great project to put up for Art Showcase in May!
Print –
Materials
18 x 6 piece of butcher paper per student (in teachers workroom on big rolls, use different bright colors)
9 x 12 piece of bright colored construction paper with face stencil drawn on for each student (dragon face stencil is in the 2nd grade file cabinet drawer)
Foam stamps
Tempera paint in bright colors
Paint palettes (large ones, so students can dip sponge stamps in palette)
oil pastels for students to share
Tissue streamers cut in 10 inch lengths, 4 per student
Glue bottles
Lesson
- Go over print with students and talk about history of print. Talk about Chinese Dragons and why they are important to the Chinese culture.
- Show students your sample that you made.
- Model for students how the first part of this project is creating the pattern on the body of the dragon with foam stamps. First put your name on the back of your 18 x 6 paper with a pencil.
- Stamp a foam stamp into a color of paint and stamp it down on the body of the dragon. Make a pattern with 3 – 4 foam stamps on your dragon body.
- Set aside dragon body to dry.
- Show students the face of the dragon that they will decorate with oil pastels and then cut out.
- Tell students that when their dragon body is dry they will glue on the head and the tail streamers.
-pass out 18 x 6 butcher paper to each student
-pass out paint palettes with bright colored paint and foam stamps. Students can share a palette and stamps.
-have students work on creating a pattern with their foam stamps and bright colors on their butcher paper.
-have students use the same shape in the same color, so colors don't mix and get muddy
-put aside dragon body to dry
-have students start decorating their dragon mask and also have them put their name on the back of it.
-cut out around mask, eyes, and mouth
-glue streamers and mask on dragon
-let dragons dry on desk if possible
*have parent volunteers wipe off/wash foam stamps and rinse out sponge brushes. Let brushes dry on counter in Art room.
*this is a great project to put up for Art Showcase in May!