Creating Fall Corn with Recycled Materials

Preschool Art Lesson Plan (45 Minutes): Creating Fall Corn with Recycled Materials

Theme: Fall, Gratitude, Harvest

Duration: 45 minutes

Objectives

• Recognize the color changes in corn from fresh to mature fall corn.

• Learn to create art using recycled materials.

• Understand the importance of protecting the environment.

• Appreciate the harvest season and the meaning of gratitude.

Preparation

Materials:

• Cardboard cutouts in the shape of corn (one per child).

• Bubble wrap (glued onto the cardboard to mimic corn kernels).

• Brown paper bags (cut into long leaves).

• Paint (yellow, orange, brown, etc.).

• Brushes or sponge brushes.

• Scissors and glue sticks.

• Pictures:

  • A single picture showing the entire corn growth process (from planting to mature fall corn).

  • Pictures show fresh corn (yellow), mature fall corn (with orange and brown stages), and Indian corn.

  
  

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Observation and Discussion:

• Show the cardboard corn cutout and ask: “What food do you think this shape looks like?”

• Introduce the materials: “Today, we will make our fall corn with recycled materials: cardboard and bubble wrap.”

• Ask: "Why do we use recycled materials for our art projects?”

• Guide them to understand: "Because we want to protect our planet Earth.”

2. Looking at the Growth Process of Corn (10 minutes)

Showing Pictures: Show the picture of the entire corn growth process (from seed to mature fall corn).

• Spring: Show the picture of a corn seed planted in the soil and explain: “Farmers plant corn kernels in the soil, water them, and fertilize them. The corn kernels take root, sprout, and grow.”

• Summer: Explain the picture of the corn growing into tall plants: “The corn grows bigger and bigger, becoming tall plants. Many small ears of corn grow on the tall stalks.”

• End of Summer: Show the picture of fresh corn and explain: “By the end of summer, some corn has matured. Fresh sweet corn turns yellow.”

• Fall: Show the picture of mature fall corn and explain: “Fall is the harvest season and Thanksgiving. The corn kernel’s color gradually deepens. What color do you think it will change to from yellow?”

  • Introduce orange-yellow and brown-yellow:

    “The brightness of orange-yellow or brown-yellow is lower than that of yellow, so it appears more mature than yellow.”

  • Introduce Indian corn's color:

  "The corn kernels can develop a variety of colors, including red, purple, blue, brown, orange, and yellow."

3. Crafting Process (25 minutes)

Step 1: Painting the Corn (15 minutes)

• Distribute the cardboard corn with bubble wrap to each child.

Painting Process:

• First Layer: Paint the entire corn yellow to represent fresh sweet corn.

• Second Layer: Add orange mixed-in yellow paint to parts of the sweet corn to show it maturing.

• third Layer: Add small amounts of brown mixed in yellow paint to represent fully mature corn.

• Last Touch: Add any color, such as red, purple, blue, or brown, to cover the corn kernels if the kids ready to make an Indian corn.

Step 2: Adding the Leaves (10 minutes)

• Hand out pre-cut leaves made from brown paper bags.

• Guide children to glue the leaves to both sides of the corn.

4. Showcase and Discussion (10 minutes)

Display the Artwork:

• Tie the children’s corn in small bundles and hang them in the classroom.

Appreciate and Share:

• Invite each child to share their work:

  “What colors did you use for your corn?”

  “How did you make your corn look more mature?”

Reflection:

• Discuss the meaning of fall as a season of abundance and gratitude.

• Explain how Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for the harvest and everything we have.

Reminders

• Use non-toxic paint and provide aprons or smocks to keep clothes clean.

• Encourage children to explore color blending and recognize the changes.