MOCHA Field Trips are a great way to spend the school year. We offer an array of art lessons and can customize curriculum based on what you are learning in your classroom. Your class or community group will participate in an engaging art lesson led by a professional teaching artist.

Lessons include an educational presentation as well as opportunities for hands-on making. Each lesson is 1.5 hour long (K-12). We can accommodate up to 30 students (K-12). For groups larger than 30 students, a second reservation may be required and groups may need to be staggered.

All of our lessons are developmentally appropriate and based on the California Visual Arts Standards. Choose a lesson from our list below and a MOCHA teaching artist will discuss how to adapt projects to your curriculum goals.

ALEXANDER CALDER MOBILES
Students study the work of Alexander Calder and create stationary mobiles inspired by his work. Using clay, wire and other materials students will learn sculpturing techniques and design skills.

ART OF THE MASK
Observe mask designs from around the world. Using papers, oil pastel or paint and collage materials, students create colorful masks that teach the elements of shape, pattern and symmetry.

DREAMTIME ANIMALS
An introduction to the art of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia and the meaning and stories behind their stylized artworks. Using paints and oil pastels students create their own dreamtime animals that inspire stories.

CLAY EXPLORATION & PINCH POTS
The history of pottery is discussed as students learn about what clay is and where it comes from. A hands-on lesson where students learn various techniques including the ancient method of pinch pots and coil pots.They will also learn how to shape three-dimensional figures and incorporate them into sculptures.

COLOR THEORY
Students will use primary colors to mix secondary colors and create a color wheel. Then they get a chance to paint pictures using their own personally created paint palettes.

LESSON OPTIONS
For grades 2+ Tertiary mixing is also available.

FAITH RINGGOLD QUILT COLLAGE
Students will first take a look at the work of Faith Ringgold and discuss what is important to them and why they are thankful for their families, friends and communities. Next, they will draw and paint a mini scene that captures an important memory. Lastly, they will collage an elaborate border using mixed media paper and fabric.

PORTRAITURE
Artists like Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh and Henry Matisse are viewed as students discuss what makes a portrait and then learn how to use proportion to create colorful and whimsical pictures of themselves or any other abstract faces they can come up with.
Medium Options: Collage / Watercolor

MONOPRINTING
After discussing printmaking and how it has evolved today, a brief lesson on the horizon line is followed by students creating one of a kind landscape prints while also mixing colors on their print plates.

RECYCLED SCULPTURE
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Students learn about taking one person’s trash and turning it into their own personal treasures. They discover how to construct sculptures or architectural structures out of recycled materials.

SUMI-E BRUSH PAINTING
Students learn about the history and art of brush painting. Practice several painting techniques and create an Asian-type scroll in the traditional Sumi style.