ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern

Students create a small crayon etching of an insect and its energy. 

Required Time

120 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 4 to Grade 9

Subject

Language Arts
Science
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

colour crayon etching line pattern

Materials

Crayons Cardstock Paper 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm (5" x 5") - 2 pieces per student Toothpicks Pencils

Shop Crayola Products

Crayons, Regular 24 ct

Steps

ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step One

Step One

  1. Do an internet search to find pictures of the insect.
  2. Draw a picture of the insect on the cardstock paper.
  3. Add a few details in the background.
ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Cut out the main parts of your drawing.
ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Trace the drawing onto a piece of cardstock paper.
  2. Colour the entire paper with different colours of crayon.
  3. Press hard to cover the paper with a thick layer of wax colour.
ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Place your drawing on a piece of newsprint paper.
  2. Cover the entire drawing with black crayon.
  3. Press hard and colour in different directions overlapping the colour as you go.
  4. Use a tissue to brush the small bits of crayon onto the newsprint as you work.
ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Tape a wooden toothpick to the end of a marker.
  2. Leave about 1.5 cm extending past the end of the marker.
ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Place the cutout drawing on top of the black crayoned paper.
  2. Use the toothpick tool to scratch an outline around the shapes.
ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Scratch different patterns into the surface.
  2. Use line and shape to create contrast and rhythm.
  3. Use a soft tissue to polish the surface.
ETCHED INSECTS – Colour, Line, Pattern - Step Eight

Step Eight

  1. View the finished drawing with fresh eyes.
    - Are there spots that need attention?
    - Have you used different lines and shapes to create patterns?
    - Does the insect stand out against the background?
    - Do the colours and patterns move your eye through the composition?
    - Does the design suggest the energy of the insect?
    - Does the surface shine?
    - Is the paper in good condition?
    - Are you satisfied with your work?

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  1. Create a crayon etching with an insect motif;
  2. Create a composition that shows an insect and its energy;
  3. Use repetition of line and shape to create patterns;
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment; and
  5. Support their ideas with evidence found in the works.

Extensions

Have students:

  1. Work with a peer to create an instructional video to teach others how to make a crayon etching.
  2. Work in small groups to create an animated film using their crayon etchings and a variety of sounds/music.

Prepare

  1. Gather and make available books about insects, for example, Insects, by George C. McGavin; DK Eyewitness Books: Butterfly and Moth, by DK Publishing; and Animals: 1,419 Copyright-Free Illustrations of Mammals, Birds, Fish, Insects, etc., by Jim Harter.
  2. Download and display the Colour, Line and Pattern posters available on this website,
    Posters
  3. Teach and/or review characteristics of insects.
  4. Provide time for students to research an insect of their choice.
  5. Pre-cut the cardstock paper 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm (5" x 5") - 2 pieces per student.
  6. Create a sample.

Introduction

  1. View and discuss images of different insects - shape, lines of symmetry, pattern and colour. 
  2. Consider sayings about insects and imagine the kinds of energy various insects have, for example, Busy as a bee; It’s not summer until the cricket sings; Fireflies shine only when in motion; A single finger cannot catch fleas; The locust flies with the wings of a falcon; and When mosquitos work, they bite and then they sing.
  3. Discuss how you could use different colours, lines and shapes to create interesting patterns to suggest energy and texture.
  4. Show students your sample and ask them to guess how it was made. Explain the crayon etching process.
  5. Introduce the challenge. 

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a crayon etching with an insect motif.
  2. Create a composition that shows an insect and its energy.
  3. Use repetition of line and shape to create patterns.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment.
  5. Support your ideas with evidence found in the works.

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 a design with an insect motif
    - used line and pattern to show the energy of my insect
    - used lines and shapes to create patterns
    - pressed hard with the crayon
    - covered the entire paper with colour and then black crayon
    - polished the finished etching
    - kept the paper in good condition
  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. Place students into small groups. 
  2. Ask them to: 
    - Compare their work and describe to each other what they did to show the insects energy.
    - Discuss the things that are especially effective and why.
    - 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 crayon etchings – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Download - Etched_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Download - Etched_self-assessment.pdf)

 

Downloads

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