Lesson Plan Lava

Lava Lamp Art Lesson Plan

Grade Level: 2nd Grade
Artist Inspiration: Jenna Sutela
Class Periods: 4–5
Project Title: Glowing Lava Lamps

Big Ideas

• Explore organic shapes vs. geometric shapes
  
  

• Use complementary colors to create contrast and glow
  
  

• Express personal interests through symbolism and shape
  
  

• Understand how density and composition affect design
  
  

• Connect artwork to the Elements of Art: shape, color, space, and value
  
  

Objectives

Students will:

1. Understand and create organic shapes.
   
   

2. Identify and use complementary colors to create visual interest.
   
   

3. Reflect on and express personal interests through artwork.
   
   

4. Arrange shapes with consideration for visual density and space.
   
   

5. Create a lava lamp-inspired artwork that reflects their unique identity.
   
   

Materials

• 12x18 black paper
  
  

• 4x6 neon paper
  
  

• Glue sticks
  
  

• Pencils
  
  

• Scissors (including textured scissors)
  
  

• Rulers
  
  

• Neon oil pastels
  
  

• Tempera paint sticks
  
  

• Color wheel (printed or digital)
  
  

• Smartboard or projector
  
  

• Lava lamp or iMagma app
  
  

• Canva slideshow (optional)
  
  

• Black light (for final gallery walk)
  
  

Vocabulary

• Organic Shapes: Irregular, free-form shapes often found in nature
  
  

• Geometric Shapes: Precise, mathematical shapes like circles and squares
  
  

• Complementary Colors: Opposites on the color wheel that create high contrast
  
  

• Density: Arrangement concept where larger, heavier shapes appear to sink and smaller ones float
  
  

• Composition: How visual elements are arranged in artwork
  
  

Lesson Sequence

Class 1: Introduction + Glass Vessel

• Discuss: What is a lava lamp? What are organic shapes? How are they different from geometric ones?
  
  

• Show video: Lava lamp process (YouTube or iMagma app)
  
  

• Artist talk: Jenna Sutela and glowing forms in her work
  
  

• Trace lava lamp glass vessel
  
  

• Use tempera paint sticks to fill with value (light to dark)
  
  

• Place painted vessels on drying rack
  
  

Class 2: Cap, Face, and Background

• Color the cap and face of the lava lamp (silver, gold, neon, etc.)
  
  

• Cut out glass vessel and glue to patterned background
  
  

• Create unique background patterns with neon paper and textured scissors
  
  

• Review color wheel: choose background paper in a complementary color to the vessel
  
  

Class 3: Personal Organic Shapes

• Brainstorm: What do you love? What makes you YOU?
  
  

• Draw 5–6 images representing personal interests on neon paper
  
  

• Use a "follow the leader" line to create organic outlines around each drawing
  
  

• Cut out shapes
  
  

• Arrange using density concept: large shapes at bottom, small at top
  
  

Class 4: Assembly Day

• Finalize arrangement and glue organic shapes to lava lamp
  
  

• Use strong gluing techniques for clean, flat finish
  
  

• Add final embellishments if needed
  
  

Class 5: Glow & Critique

• Catch-up for unfinished work
  
  

• Turn on black light for gallery walk!
  
  

• Peer reflection and critique circle:
  
  

  • What do you see in each other’s lava lamps?
    
    

  • What do the shapes and colors tell you about the artist?
    
    

  • How did you choose your colors and shapes?
    
    

Elements of Art Focus

Shape — Organic vs. geometric
Color — Complementary pairs, neon contrast
Space — Composition, layering, density
Value — Painted glass vessels with light to dark tones

Artist Reflection Prompts

Use post-its or a printable worksheet:

• "My lava lamp shows my favorite things like ________."
  
  

• "I used [color] because ________."
  
  

• "My favorite shape is ________ because ________."
  
  

Rubric includes:

• Use of complementary color and contrast
  
  

• Creation of original organic shapes
  
  

• Personal connection shown in artwork
  
  

• Following directions & craftsmanship
  
  

• Participation in discussion and reflection
  
  

Modifications & Supports

• Stencils for lava lamp shape
  
  

• Pre-cut organic shapes if needed
  
  

• Sentence starters for reflection
  
  

• Extra support with drawing ideas for interests
  
  

Visual Arts Standards (Grade 2)

• VA:Cr1.1.2a – Brainstorm and make sketches to generate ideas for artwork.
  
  

• VA:Cr1.2.2a – Make art or design with various materials and tools to explore personal interests, questions, and curiosity.
  
  

• VA:Cr2.1.2a – Experiment with various materials and tools to explore personal interests in art-making.
  
  

• VA:Cr2.2.2a – Demonstrate safe procedures for using and cleaning art tools, equipment, and studio space.
  
  

• VA:Cr3.1.2a – Discuss and reflect with peers about choices made in creating artwork.
  
  

• VA:Pr4.1.2a – Categorize artwork based on different themes or subjects.
  
  

• VA:Pr5.1.2a – Identify exhibit spaces and prepare works of art including artists’ statements, for presentation.
  
  

• VA:Pr6.1.2a – Explain what an art museum is and distinguish how an exhibition is curated.

• VA:Re7.1.2a – Perceive and describe aesthetic characteristics of one’s own artwork and that of others.
  
  

• VA:Re7.2.2a – Categorize images based on expressive properties.
  
  

• VA:Re8.1.2a – Interpret art by identifying the mood suggested by a work of art and describing relevant subject matter and characteristics.
  
  

• VA:Re9.1.2a – Use learned art vocabulary to express preferences about artwork.
  
  

• VA:Cn10.1.2a – Create art that represents personal experiences, interests, and observations.
  
  

• VA:Cn11.1.2a – Compare and contrast cultural uses of artwork from different times and places.