Fifth Grade Art Lesson 11

Silhouettes, Part 1 Planning and Drawing Our Silhouettes

Objective:

The student will make a list of things that are important to them and design symbols to arrange or compose inside their silhouette.

Materials:

12 x 18 inch white paper, pencil, paper to plan on

Procedure:

The teacher needs to set up a situation using an overhead projector or other bright light directed onto a flat wall surface where she can hang white paper and have the students stand in front of the paper while she quickly draws off their silhouette. While the teacher draws, the students need to make a list of things that are of great importance to them. This list should include the types of things that inspire the student, such as sports, hobbies, family, pets, books, goals. Once the list is complete the student should begin working on symbols to represent each item. The symbols do not necessarily have to be recognizable to anyone else, but should have meaning to the student. The student should plan to arrange these so that what is most important is significantly placed on the silhouette. The planning stage is imperative. Many students like to rush through this part. Encourage the students to contemplate and truly labor over this part of their project. When they feel they are ready, lightly draw off the symbols inside the silhouette outline made by the teacher.

Conclusion:

If the student did not complete the planning stages for their work, encourage them to do so before our next lesson. Put their silhouettes in a safe place until the next lesson.

Artwork and Examples used in this lesson

Student Artwork

Student Artwork