Beginning the Verb Book Illustrations

2nd graders are also creating a book in the style of Eric Carle's illustrations.  However, instead of the alphabet, two of the 2nd grade classes were assigned verbs to illustrate, and another is illustrating places they have been or places they want to go.

They are engaging in the same processes as the 1st graders, only at a more advanced level and with higher expectations. Each student created two different idea sketches about the same verb, as part of their envisioning process.  The students then chose one of the two ideas to proceed with.

Creating Practice Shadow Puppets

Students in grades 3 and 4 learned about the mechanics of shadow puppets by creating a practice puppet using a template. 

They chose between a bird and a snake, and learned through the process that they needed to draw all the moving parts separately, and then fasten them together.  It took us two 40 minute periods to make these in class. We had just a few minutes to practice with them in front of a shadow screen made out of a bed sheet. Those last few minutes of practice time were very fulfilling.

We made the puppets out of cereal boxes to save on resources and so that students would understand that they can make  puppet at home.

Beginning Our Alphabet Book Illustrations

We are currently studying different forms of Narrative Art across every grade level at Coonley.  
A few weeks ago (it has been a while since I have posted!), Kindergarteners and 1st graders began a project where each of them is illustrating a page in an alphabet book in the style of the illustrator Eric Carle. 


To begin the process, we looked at an illustration together that was projected on the wall.  The students shared their ideas about what alphabet letter was being illustrated by the image. Some suggestions were "P is for paper", "W is for women", "F is for letters flying all around".

This is the image we looked at together that was made by Brian Collier. 

Next, students were each assigned an alphabet letter, and they drew a picture for something that started with that letter.   There are so many fantastic drawings that came out of this envisioning session.

N is for Nightingales in a Nest

On the right you can see where Amaan and I brainstormed some "J" words together. 

 Next, students were given a large sheet of paper, and we talked about how they needed to draw their original sketch larger on the paper, so that the shapes in the drawing would be large enough for us to try and cut.  There were several different processes that Ms. Chisholm tried, in order to help the children draw larger than they were used to.  It was definitely a difficult concept for such young children.  Overall however, students did an amazing job drawing their original idea on a larger scale.