The fourth graders are busy making these realistic drawings of eagles. They followed along with me step by step to draw the eagle's head. I call this a "My Turn, Your Turn," drawing. When it's my turn the students are responsible for watching me draw and listening the tips that I am giving while drawing. When it's the students' turn, they may begin to draw, using the tips that I gave during the demonstration. We go back and forth between turns until our drawing is complete.
I actually found the idea for this project on another art teacher's blog, smART Class. She used the drawing steps pictured above when having her students draw the eagle.
The students could choose to draw whatever they wanted to in the background. We discussed how the eagle in the foreground is the focal point and should grab the audiences attention. The items we draw in the background should compliment the eagle, however it shouldn't take attention away from it.