DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern

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.

Have students:

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

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.

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

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.

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)