Summer Art Project Mahi Mahi Art Lesson Writing Prompts Reading Comprehension

This Mahi Mahi Art Project is a mixed media art and literacy lesson for summer units, ocean animal themes or tropical fish studies, written for grades 1 to 5. Students learn about mahi mahi, also known as dolphin fish, found in warm waters off Florida, Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean.

Students read about mahi mahi and respond to reading comprehension questions and a writing prompt, then design their own bold, colorful mahi mahi artwork with drawing, oil pastels and watercolor paint. You can also start with the art and follow up with the literacy. Along the way they experiment with resist painting, blending and color layering.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF AND PPT VERSIONS)

• Lesson Plan (2 pages)
• Learning Standards Covered (National Art Standards and CCSS)
• Lesson Hook, a picture puzzle about mahi mahi and tropical fish
• About the Theme reading about mahi mahi, their appearance and where they are found
• Rubric
• Reflection Pages
• Artist Statement Template
• Example Artwork
• Step-by-Step Teacher Instructions and PowerPoint Slides
• Step-by-Step Drawing Guide for students
• Reading Comprehension Activity with questions and a teacher answer key
• Sight Word and Tricky Word List
• Writing Prompt Activity

This resource uses American English and is not editable.

HOW TO USE IT

Use it for summer art lessons, ocean-themed units, cross-curricular art and literacy, sub plans for elementary and middle school, homeschool, or summer art camp. The PowerPoint slides support direct teaching or a substitute lesson, and the finished fish make a bright bulletin board or ocean life art exhibit.

Materials: oil pastels, white card stock (or thick paper), construction paper, and watercolor paint or tempera paint cakes.

NATIONAL ART STANDARDS AND CCSS

CCSS RL.K.1, RL.1.1, RL.2.3; VA:Re8.1.Ka, VA:Cr2.2.3a, VA:Cr2.1.4a, VA:Cr2.2.4a, VA:Cr2.1.5a, VA:Cr2.2.5a

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Art teachers, classroom teachers and homeschool families teaching grades 1 to 5 who want a summer art project with built-in literacy.

How long will this project take?

Most teachers find it takes 2 to 4 class periods, depending on student age, skill level and time spent on the literacy extensions.

What skills will students practice?

Drawing, resist painting, color blending and layering, plus reading comprehension, vocabulary and reflective writing.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use clip art as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations, and use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic