DRESS FOR THE SEASON – Shape, Colour, Contrast

Students work with paper and markers to create a people chain book that demonstrates the changes that occur because of seasonal cycles.

Required Time

180 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 1 to Grade 2

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

colour contrast cycle reflection symmetry seasons shape

Materials

Crayola Giant Construction Paper - 30 cm x 45 cm (12" x 18") - 1 piece per student Crayola Scissors Crayola Markers Crayola Washable Glue Sticks Clear Tape Pencils Paper Clips - about 5 per student

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Steps

DRESS FOR THE SEASON – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step One

Step One

  1. Follow the instructions to accordion fold the paper.
  2. Cut out a template. 
  3. Place the open edge of the folded paper to the right.
  4. Place the template on the folded paper with the arms facing to the right and the head at the top.
  5. Use paper clips to hold the template in place.
  6. Trace around the outer edges of the template.
DRESS FOR THE SEASON – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Paper clip the folded paper together.
  2. Hold the paper firmly.
  3. Cut around the outline of theperson.
  4. Do NOT cut along the folds.
  5. Do NOT cut along the bottom.

 

DRESS FOR THE SEASON – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Open the folded paper.
  2. Use markers and construction paper to dress the people according to the season.
    - Is it hot, warm, cool or cold?
    - How do your clothes change in each season?
    - What details do you see on different pieces of clothing?
  3. Add details to bring the people to life.
  4. Write 2 things about each season to show how they change.
    - How much sunlight is there?
    - How does the temperature change?
    - What is the weather like?
  5. Add details at the bottom of each section to show seasonal changes.
    - What does the ground look like?
    - Are there animals around?
    - What happens to plants?
DRESS FOR THE SEASON – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Choose a colour of construction paper that contrasts with the colours in your folded paper.
  2. Glue your finished paper to the construction paper.
DRESS FOR THE SEASON – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Accordion fold the pages of your book.
    OR
  2. Fold it into a polyhedron and tape it in place.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  • identify characteristics of the four seasons;
  • use paper and markers to create an accordion folded book;
  • create a paper chain of 4 people dressed appropriately for each season;
  • explain how the different seasons affect them; 
  • demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; 
  • support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Extensions

Have students:

  • research a North American animal;
  • create an accordion book about how the animal adapts in each of the four seasons using the Book In A Box lesson plan available on this website;
  • share their books in small groups;
  • create a display of their books in a central location so students in other classes can view and respond to them.

Prepare

  1. Prior to this lesson teach or review the circular sequence of events in the 4 seasons.
  2. Gather and make available books about the seasons, for example, the series by Heidi Pross Gray, Autumn is Here!, Spring is Here!, Winter is Here!, and Summer is Here!; Tree: Seasons Come, Seasons Go, by Patricia Hegarty; Seasons, by Angel Murphy; If You Hold a Seed, by Elly MacKay; Seasons: From the View of Someone Small, by Amy Bouchard, and Yijing Yang; All Around Bustletown: Summer, by Rotraut Susanne Berner; All Around Bustletown: Winter, by Rotraut Susanne Berner; and All Around Bustletown: Spring, by Rotraut Susanne Berner.
  3. Download and display the Shape, Colour and Contrast posters available on this website.
  4. Print and cut out the Paper Chain People Template - enough for each student to have one. (Downloads - PaperChainPeopleTemplate.pdf)
  5. View the How To Accordion Fold Paper worksheet so you can demonstrate how to do that with your students. (Downloads - AccordionFoldPaper.pdf)

Introduction

  1. Conduct a read-aloud with a book such as Seasons: From the View of Someone Small, by Amy Bouchard, and Yijing Yang.
    Focus on:
    - the details of each season found in the illustrations
    - amount of light/sunshine each season
    - changes in weather
    - changes in plants 
    - how humans and animals adapt to changes
    - the circular sequence of events
  2. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Identify characteristics of the four seasons.
  2. Create an accordion folded book.
  3. Cut out a paper chain of 4 people;
  4. Use construction paper and markers to dress the people appropriately for each season.
  5. Write 2 things about each season.
  6. Add details to show seasonal changes.
  7. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  8. Support your ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

The Process

  1. Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - created an accordion folded book
    - cut out a paper chain of 4 people
    - accurately shown the differences in the 4 seasons
    - included people dressed appropriately for each season
    - included details that matched the season
    - written 2 things about each season
    - used my own ideas for the details in my book
    - kept my book in good condition
    - shared my ideas with others
    - supported my ideas with things I saw in the books
  3. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Observe students as they work. 
  5. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Have students work with a partner. Ask them to share:
    - things they like best about their books
    - two things that are the same about their books.
    - two things that are different about their books.
    - the season they like the best and why
  2. Invite some students to share with the whole class.

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they discuss their books – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, points to areas in the books, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
  3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
  4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Download - DressForSeasons_tracking.pdf)
  5. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads - DressForSeasons_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

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