Students will be able to:
- create a drawing in the style of Todd Parr;
- identify and use geometric shapes;
- create a pattern;
- demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity;
- explain the rule for their pattern.
INSPIRED BY TODD PARR – Colour, Geometric Shapes, Pattern
Steps
Step One
- Look at Todd Parr's pictures.
- What geometric shapes does he use?
- What kinds of colours does he use?
- What do you notice about all his pictures? - Draw a person the way Todd Parr does.
- Draw the outline of your person with a black marker.
- Start with a circle for the head.
- Use other geometric shapes for the rest of the body.
- rectangles
- trapezoids
- squares
Step Two
- Add a pattern to the clothes.
Step Three
- Use fine line markers to colour your person.
Step Four
- Compare your drawing with one of Todd Parr's.
- How are they the same?
- How are they different?
- How many shapes did you use?
Learning Goals
Extensions
Have students:
- draw and cut out construction paper geometric shapes;
- use the cut-out geometric shapes to create a picture of different objects;
- explain how they made their picture.
Prepare
- Download and display the Colour and Shape posters available on this website.
- Gather and make available picture books about patterns, for example, Pattern Fish, by Trudy Harris; Pattern Bugs, by Trudy Harris; Math Counts: Pattern, by Henry Arthur Pluckrose; A-B-A-B-A―a Book of Pattern Play, by Brian P. Cleary, and Brian Gable; and Teddy Bear Patterns, by Barbara Barbieri McGrath.
- Review or teach simple patterns and how to identify them – A-B, A-A-B.
- Gather and make available books by Todd Parr, for example, It's Okay To Be Different; The Family Book; The Thankful Book; It's Okay to Make Mistakes; and The Kindness Book.
- Prior to this lesson have students explore geometric shapes using the Exploring Geometric Shapes worksheet. (Downloads - GeometricShapes.pdf)
Introduction
- Conduct a read-aloud using one of the Todd Parr books, for example It's Okay To Be Different.
- View and discuss the illustrations of people.
- What geometric shapes does he use?
- What kinds of colours does he use?
- What do you notice about all his pictures? - Introduce the challenge.
Activities
The Challenge
- Draw a person the way Todd Parr does.
- Use different geometric shapes to make your drawing.
- Include a pattern on part of the clothes.
- Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
- Explain the rule for your pattern.
The Process
- Make sure that everyone understands the challenge.
- Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
I know I am successful when I have:
- drawn a person the way Todd Parr does
- used geometric shapes in my drawing
- created a pattern on the clothes
- explained the rule for my pattern
- used bold colours
- outlined the person with black marker
- kept the paper in good condition - Guide the students through the steps outlined in the lesson plan.
- Observe students as work.
- Provide individual assistance and encouragement.
Sharing
- Conduct a read-aloud using a different Todd Parr book such as the Kindness Book to discuss and observe his use of shapes to illustrate the story.
- Have students share their completed drawings with a partner. Ask them to share:
- What they like about the drawings.
- Two things that are the same about their drawings.
- Two things that are different about their drawings.
- What they like best about their drawings - Have the partners create a short story using both drawings as the main characters.
- Remind them that every story has a beginning, middle and end.
- Invite several pairs to share their stories with the class.
Assessment
- Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
- Observe students as they discuss their drawings – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, holds drawing to the side, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
- Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
- Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - ToddParr_tracking.pdf)
- Have students in grades 1 and 2 write a reflection that includes things such as:
- How they made their drawing.
- How their drawing is similar to Todd Parr's drawings.
- What they like best about their drawing.
