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'Drawing From Nature'
A SCIENCE AND ART LESSON FOR KIDS
This appeared on October 3, 2004 in the Los Angeles Times
THE KIDS’ READING ROOM
B y Carol Felixson
Special to The Times
October 3, 2004
Have you ever gone hiking and seen what looked like a snake
with little legs? If so, your eyes weren't playing tricks on
you. You saw a species of lizard that can grow more than a
foot in length. It's called a California alligator lizard.
After studying about this lizard, Romie, 5, learned "they
can bite and they can grow new tails."
Alligator lizards are so named because they have unusually
large mouths, a lot of sharp teeth and massive jaw muscles.
They are not aggressive toward people and usually run away
when approached, but if captured they will fight back and
try to bite. When the alligator lizard's tail is grabbed or
pinched it will automatically separate from the lizard's
body. The detached tail will wiggle and twitch for a few
minutes, confusing its enemy long enough for the lizard to
get away. It takes about eight months for the lizard to grow
a new, full-length tail.
Romie decided to illustrate the reptile in its natural
environment. To create a colorful background, she covered a
thick piece of cardboard with a wash of several shades of
green and brown acrylic paint.
Romie then drew her lizard on cardboard, cut it out, and
carefully wrapped it with multicolored yarn. She worked the
yarn back and forth until the lizard was covered and tied it
off in a knot. Romie glued small pieces of ivory-colored
yarn on its head and claws. Finally she glued the lizard to
the cardboard and added some leaves and rocks from her yard.
Good job, Romie!
About the series: Each month, Carol Felixson
introduces children to a subject from nature and an art
technique. She is director of education and community
outreach for UCLA's Stunt Ranch Reserve and Mathias
Botanical Garden. Nov. 7 lesson: Ginkgo biloba and
impasto painting. Previous projects can been seen at
nrs.ucop.edu/Reserves/stunt/newsforkids.html.
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Carol Felixson
Director of Education/Community Outreach
UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve & Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
310 206-3887, nrs.ucop.edu/Reserves/stunt.html,
www.botgard.ucla.edu
LA Times Science/Art Lessons for Kids:
http://nrs.ucop.edu/Reserves/stunt/newsforkids.html
Contributing to the
understanding and wise management of the Earth and its natural
systems
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| Copyright 2004 Los Angeles Times |
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