Shape self-portraits.

Shape self-portraits. Self-portraits are an important part of any art program. Foryounger students, shape self-portraits reveal connections andrelationships amongst an array of ideas and school subjects. This particular lesson is great for kindergartners, who are justbeginning to learn about different shapes, patterns and body parts. Thechildren's regular classroom teachers like that it incorporates thesubjects of art, math. language arts language artspl.n.The subjects, including reading, spelling, and composition, aimed at developing reading and writing skills, usually taught in elementary and secondary school. and science into one fun project.The kids enjoy the problem-centered activities used that afford them theopportunity to use their creative imaginations. SESSION 1: Exploration This is a time when students can learn aboutshapes, colors and patterns. Give each table a bucket of assortedcut-paper shapes and let students individually explore and play with theshapes. After about 10 to 15 minutes of free-choice exploration, addguidance and direction with such questions as: Can you make a snake? Onereally long snake? Lots of baby snakes? A patterned snake? (Havechildren repeat the pattern to you--blue square, red triangle Red triangle could refer to: A red triangle was the concentration camp badge of political prisoners in Nazi Germany. Red triangle (Channel 4), British television content warning system The symbol of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, see flag of Minas Gerais. , etc.) Let children sort the shapes into "color" piles or"shape" piles, and tell you what they are. Lead them in theirexploration by asking such questions as, "Can you make ahouse?" and "What shapes would you use for the bottom, theroof, the door (and so on ...)?" SESSION 2: Constructing Shape Self-Portraits Using students'prior knowledge of patterns, colors and shapes, they are ready to maketheir self-portraits. Students choose a 12" x 18" piece ofbrightly colored construction paper. Pass out buckets of shapes to eachtable. Say to them, "Now let's make a picture of you!" Tostart them on their way, ask, "What shape would make a goodhead?" and "What shape would make a good body?" Continue with the arms, legs, hands, feet, hair and face. Havestudents arrange these body-part shapes on their paper. Finally, glueall the shapes down. Some students might enjoy making a color pattern ontheir body. SESSION 3: Outlining After the shape self-portraits are completed,talk about "outline." I have students paint a black outlinearound their portrait. Some students like to add a few creative detailsto finish their picture. In the end, the children are excited about their brightly coloredshape self-portraits. They have had a math lesson on patterning, ascience lesson on body parts, a language-arts lesson using theirlanguage and prior knowledge skills, and an art lesson on self-portraitsincorporating the use of color not of the white race; - commonly meaning, esp. in the United States, of negro blood, pure or mixed.See also: Color , shape, pattern and line designs. MATERIALS * Brightly colored construction-paper shapes (triangles, squares,circles and rectangles) * 12" x 18" sheets of brightly colored construction paper * Glue * Black tempera tempera(tĕm`pərə), painting method in which finely ground pigment is mixed with a solidifying base such as albumen, fig sap, or thin glue. paint LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will ... * identify and use a variety of lines, colors and basic geometricshapes This is a list of geometric shapes. Generally composed of straight line segmentspolygon concave polygon constructible polygon and patterns to communicate personal experiences and expressimagination. * develop manipulative ma��nip��u��la��tive?adj.Serving, tending, or having the power to manipulate.n.Any of various objects designed to be moved or arranged by hand as a means of developing motor skills or understanding abstractions, especially in and organizational skills in using geometricshapes and patterns to create a self-portrait. * use critical-thinking skills to select and use a variety ofmedia. Vicki Salvatori is an elementary art teacher with the Ostego PublicSchools. Ostego, Michigan.