Drawing from observation can be a real challenge for some students.  This apple project was a gentle introduction into drawing from life.  Our inspiration was a painting of apples by Matisse.  I have seen other teachers do similar projects based on this painting, tracing or stamping the apple shapes, but I really wanted them to try drawing from life.  We did trace our paper plates, which later became our paint palettes, to give a starting point.  Each student had an apple to observe and draw.  We talked about how apples are not circles.  They would have to look very closely and draw slowly to get the shape of the apple.  I let them draw as many apples as they wished on their plate.  Then we got out the paint, talked about all the different colors and types of apples.  They mixed some gorgeous colors on their palettes.  Next week, we will use charcoal and white chalk pastel to add shadows and highlights.  Here are a few pictures of them painting their plates of apples.