Articles
Very interesting analysis of the “elements of composition?line, texture, space, color, shape as seen in a number of well known picture books.
Literacy Instruction Through Communicative and Visual Arts
http://www.vtaide.com/png/ERIC/Comm-&-Visual.htm
This online article provides many resources and information about the influence of television programming, comics, and other visual forms for helping to promote literacy.
Websites
Carol Hurst’s Literature Website
A must see. Many reviews of children’s books with suggested activities and cross curriculum ideas.
Shoebox Art to go with your favorite stories.
These are examples of shoebox art and instructions that I have created and used with a library group. Remember that young children 3 and under can not use small parts in projects. The library sponsored a shoebox contest and got some interesting and creative results.
Charlotte's Web
Shoebox Art Projects
You will be creating a "tableau" or a story in art. A
tableau
tells a story visually.
1. First think about a book that was exciting,
interesting, or fun for you to read. What was the story about? Write a short
summary of the story as if you were telling a friend about the book. After you
finish, think about the visual images that were created in your mind as you
composed your summary of the story.
What are the most vivid or powerful images that you imagine
as you think about the story. What do you think are the most important aspects
of the story, or a part of the story that someone who has never read the book
should know to understand the story? What image do you feel would best
illustrate your story?
2. Next make a sketch; use a pencil, crayons, or makers to
make a plan or design of what your box will look like.
3. You will need to decide (a) If your box will be positioned
vertically, horizontally (b) If the lid will be on the top of the box, behind
the box, vertically inside the box, etc. (c) If you will need to cut the box or
leave it as it is.
4. Cover the outside of the box. You can use newspaper,
construction paper, old magazines, paint, crayons, or just leave it as it is
(especially those neat Star Wars, Winnie the Pooh, Barbie and other nicely
designed shoe boxes).
5. Create the inside or contents. You can use all of the
following to create the inside or story of your box. Be imaginative. Don’t
limit your creativity.
*Draw figures, houses, animals, people, places, and things.
*Make a collage, by using old magazines, newspapers, or
photographs.
*Use found objects.
*Transform found objects into buildings, cars, people etc.
*Use recycled materials to create objects to put into your
shoe box tableau.
*Make your own clay, glue, or other materials.
*Use preformed patterns to create characters.
*Be sure to attach objects and figures so that they are
sturdy.
*Cut and glue pattern attachments onto poster board, and glue
so those objects will stay in place.
4. After you are finished, be sure to write your name, age
and date someplace on the shoe box, and create a placard that tells the viewer
your name, age, the title of the shoe box and date.
Most of All Have Fun with this project, and READ and CREATE
ART as often as possible.
Some Examples
Secret Garden Tarzan Jaws
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