MEDIA LANDSCAPE SCENE – Foreground, Middle Ground, Background

Students will be able to:

• use construction paper to create a landscape scene that is the setting for a story;
• divide the picture plane into foreground, middle ground and background;
• use size and placement of objects to create the illusion of depth;
• demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; 
• support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Have students:

• use their scenes in a stop motion animation;
• use construction paper to create a poster advertising their animation;
• organize a film festival to share their work with other students in the school.

1. Prior to this lesson have students:
   - Write an imaginary story that takes place in the country. Guide them to identify the details of the setting for their story.
2. Prior to this lesson introduce students to the rule of thirds. 
   - a way of composing images so that the picture plane is divided into thirds
   - two imaginary vertical lines, and two horizontal lines make 3 columns, 3 rows, and 9 sections 
   - the grid is used for the placement of important elements and leading lines
   - a dominant element is placed on or near the intersection of two of the lines
3. Download and display the Space poster available on this website.
4. Download a landscape image from the Internet, for example, Ontario.
5. Place construction paper separated by colour in an easy to access location.

1. View and discuss the image of Ontario.
2. Identify the horizon line, foreground, middle ground and background in the photograph.
3. Guide students to see the division of space and things that create the illusion of depth, for example,
   - objects higher on the picture plane appear to be further away than those in the middle ground and foreground
   - objects in the distance appear to be smaller than those in the middle ground and foreground
   - colours in the distance appear to be paler and duller than those in the middle ground and foreground
   - details and colours in the foreground are brighter and sharper than those in the middle ground and background
   - cast shadows make objects seem 3-dimensional
4. Introduce the challenge.

1. Place students into small groups. 
2. Ask them to share their work and discuss the things that are especially effective and why.
   Talk about:
   - how the works are similar yet different
   - how colour affects the sense of space
   - how placement and size of objects in the picture plane tricks the eye
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 artworks – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads – Landscape_tracking.pdf)
4. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads – Landscape_self-assessment.pdf)