1Rudy and Claude Splash into Art

Kids’ Activity GuideRudy is a curious mouse who wonders, “What is art?” Claude, his feathered friend, tries to teach him. Rudy works on a self-portrait, a still life, a landscape, found art, a sculpture—all with disastrous results! Then he tries to create an artistic masterpiece, but...SPLAT! Has Rudy finally become an artist? Dynamic duo Rudy and Claude bring big personalities to this basic introduction to art.

The following activities will allow your child to explore and discover his or her own artistic abilities; while teaching the many different forms of art. Your child will gain a better understanding of what it means to be an artist while encompassing the use of motor skills, sensory stimulation and hand-eye coordination. Rudy and Claude have a funny way of proving that everyone has an artist inside them.

Body Tracing and Labeling Activity:Rudy and Claude Splash into Art is a book about art. One form of art discussed in the book is the self-portrait. Your child will be able to create a life-size portrait in a fun and comforting environment.

Materials:Length of paper to fit child’s height and width

Children’s scissors

Felt markers, crayons, or paint

Fabrics, ribbons, lace, yarn, or glue (optional)

Instructions:1. Have your child lie down on the paper and trace

his or her body, including the outline of clothing and hair.

2. Your child will decorate the outline with paint, crayons, or markers, and even glue on fabric, to create clothing and facial features.

3. When finished, your child can cut out the figure and hang it on the wall.

Pre-reading Questions:1. What is art?

2. What does it mean to use your imagination?

3. Who can be an artist?

4. What is a self-portrait?

5. What does it take to be an artist?

6. What is landscape art?

7. What is found art?

8. What is still art?

9. How does art make you feel?

10. What is architecture?

The questions above will set the stage for reading Rudy and Claude Splash into Art and introduce your child to some of the concepts in the book.

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Found Art Scavenger Hunt:In this science activity, your child will create found art by collecting items from an outdoor scavenger hunt.

Preparation: Create a list of items for your child to find. Be sure to include shapes and colors as well. Some examples could be something green or something round.

Materials (per student):List of items to find

Bag to place found items in

Construction paper

Glue

Instructions:1. You and your child will head outdoors with the

list of items to find.

2. As the items on the list are found, place them into the bag.

3. Once all of the items on the list have been found, head back inside.

4. Have your child empty the contents of the bag onto the table.

5. Discuss with your child what is each item found on the hunt.

6. Your child can then begin gluing all the items onto the construction paper to create his or her own found art.

Garbage Can Sundae:Help your child create an edible garbage can sundae. Since Rudy can smell garbage a mile away, be very careful he doesn’t eat your creation before you do.

Ingredients: 8 to 10 (7-ounce) clear plastic cups

2 cups cold milk

1 package chocolate instant pudding

1 (8-ounce) container whipped cream topping

1 (16-ounce) package cream filled chocolate sandwich cookies (crushed)

Decorations: gummy worms, peanuts, candy, etc.

Recipe Directions:1. Pour the milk into a large mixing bowl.

2. Add pudding mix.

3. Beat the mix with a whisk until well blended, about 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Let stand for 5 minutes.

5. Stir in the whipped topping and half of the crushed cookies.

6. Place 1 tablespoon of crushed cookies into the bottom of each cup.

7. Fill each cup ¾ full with the pudding mixture.

8. Top with the remaining crushed cookies.

9. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

10. Have fun and decorate with the toppings.

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Marble Painting Guide:Rudy and Claude explore many different types of art in the story. Abstract art is art that may or may not use other visual references. For your child this means that anything goes. Abstract art does not need to look like anything else. In this art activity, your child will create abstract expression art.

Materials:Aluminum baking pan

White drawing paper

Plastic spoons

Small bowls

Marbles

Tempera paint (3–4 different colors of your choice)

Instructions:1. Place each color of paint into small bowls.

2. Drop a marble into each bowl of paint.

3. Place a sheet of drawing paper in the aluminum baking pan.

4. Have your child use the spoons to pick up the marbles out of the paint.

5. Drop the marbles onto the drawing paper.

6. Your child can lift up the pan and roll the marbles all over the paper.

7. After the painting is done, answer the following questions with your child:

1. What does this artwork look like to you?

2. How does this artwork make you feel?

3. List three words that describe this piece of art.

Marshmallow and Toothpick Structures:

Architecture is the art and science of designing and building structures such as buildings. Your child will create architecture using marshmallows and toothpicks.

Materials:Bag of small marshmallows

Box of toothpicks

Instructions:1. Have your child wash his or her hands.

2. Your child will connect the toothpicks to the marshmallows to create shapes and structures.

3. Discuss the differences between two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures.

4. Discuss the inspiration for the architecture.

5. Take a picture of the finished product.

Enrichment LinksHere are some links to famous artists you and your child may like to research.

Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali Museum

Claude Monet

Andy Worhol

Andy Worhol Museum

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Rudy and Claude Splash into Art Drawing Activity:Throughout the book, Claude shows Rudy different forms of art including self-portrait, still life, and landscape. In this activity, match the different forms of art quoted in the book to the artwork in the left column, and label each. Then in the empty canvas on the right, ask your child to draw his or her own self-portrait, still life, and landscape.

“A self-portrait is a picture you make of yourself.”

“A still life is a painting of some things you can put on a table.”

“...a landscape,...That’s a painting of mountains or the beach or a lake...just about anything outside in nature.”

Form of Art: _____________________________

Form of Art: _____________________________

Form of Art: _____________________________

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Rudy and Claude Splash into Art Coloring Page:Now demonstrate your artistic skills by coloring in Rudy below. Decorate the wall behind Rudy with your own piece of artwork.

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This guide was created by Chris Valcarcel, educational consultant, and Jennifer Messinger, graphic designer.

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