DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern

Students create decorated writing paper by making a stencil print using crayon, marker with water and an overhead transparency.

Required Time

80 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 1 to Grade 8

Subject

Language Arts
Science
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

colour composition crayon resist pattern shape stencil print

Materials

Markers - Broad Line Markers - Fine Line Overhead Transparency - 14 cm x 21.6 cm (5.5" x 8.5") - one per student Masking Tape Regular Crayons - Not Washable Water Containers Small Pieces of Sponge - one per student Paper Towels Rulers Pencils

Shop Crayola Products

Markers, Broad Line 10 ct
Fine Line Ultra-Clean Washable Markers, 24 Count
Marker & Watercolour Pad, 60 Sheets
Crayola Crayons, 24 Count

Steps

DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step One

Step One

  1. Roll a piece of masking tape with the sticky side facing out to make a loop. 
DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Use the loops to fasten the plastic transparency to the paper.
  2. Make sure the tape is under the transparency.
DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Use crayons to colour a scene or design on the outside edges of the paper.
  2. Press hard with the crayon.
  3. Leave some paper white.
DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Colour a patch of marker ink on the edge of the plastic transparency.
  2. Make sure the ink stays on the transparency.
DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Dip a small piece of sponge into the water.
  2. Squeeze some of the water out of the sponge.
DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Drag the wet sponge over the marker ink and onto the crayon design.
  2. Continue in this way until the outer frame is complete.
  3. You have made a stencil print.
DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Gently remove the plastic transparency from the paper.
DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern - Step Eight

Step Eight

  1. Use a ruler to measure and mark 1 cm spaces down both ends of the blank shape. 
  2. Use a fine line marker to connect the marks with lines for your writing.
  3. Use a marker to make a border pattern inside the blank shape.
  4. Fill your decorated page with some wonderful writing.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  1. Compose a scene or design to frame a specific piece of writing;
  2. Create a stencil print;
  3. Explain how water affects wax;
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; and
  5. Support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Extensions

Have students:

  1. Explore stencil printing using lesson plans found on this website, for example,
    My Little Leaf Book
    Simple Patterns
    Greetings

Prepare

  1. Download the Shape and Pattern posters available on this website.
    Posters 
  2. Prepare materials to use for a demonstration.
  3. Prepare a completed sample page.
  4. Cut overhead transparencies (the 'write on' type) into half sheets.
  5. Gather, and make available, picture books that have interesting illustrations, including any that have text framed by illustrations.

Introduction

  1. View some of the picture book illustrations drawing attention to the details in the illustrations and how they connect to the story.
    - placement of objects to move the eye through the page
    - use of colour to draw attention to specific details
    - use of pattern to add interest
    - use of contrasting colours
    - overall composition
  2. Show students your sample and ask them how they think it was made.
  3. Demonstrate the process for making a stencil print by first drawing with crayon on the outer edge of the paper, and then dragging marker ink over the transparency with a damp sponge and onto the paper. 
  4. Discuss what happens when water mixes with the ink, and when it is painted over wax crayon.
    - Water and wax are different forms of matter.
    - Matter is made up of tiny molecules that are attracted to each other.
    - Water beads up when it is on wax - the water molecules stick together but not to the wax.
    - Water and wax do not mix - artists use this understanding of chemistry to make art using a technique called crayon resist.
  5. Discuss the use of shape to define a space for the written work. Focus on the purpose or theme of the writing, and what an appropriate shape would be. 
  6. Introduce/review the characteristics of pattern. 
  7. Introduce the challenge

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Compose a scene or design to frame a specific piece of writing.
  2. Create a stencil print.
  3. Explain how water affects wax.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  5. Support your ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

The Process

  1. Ensure that everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - used colours that go with the theme of my writing
    - created a crisp stencil print
    - created different patterns
    - pressed hard with crayon so it shows through the marker ink
    - created paper that is in good condition
  3. Demonstrate the technique as you guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Observe students as they work.
  5. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Place students into partners.
  2. Ask them to: 
    - Share their papers and take turns discussing the things that are especially effective and why.
    - Talk about how the decorated paper will enhance the written work.
    - Talk about what they found difficult and what they found easy to do.
  3. Share ideas with the whole class. 
  4. Ask students to tell how they felt about doing this project.

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work  – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they discuss the decorated papers – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads – Pages_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads – Pages_self-assessment.pdf, or PagesPrimary_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

Similar Lessons

MY LITTLE LEAF BOOK – Shape, Contrast, Pattern

GREETINGS! – Stencil Print, Space, Shape

STENCIL A POEM – Printmaking, Colour, Shape