TYPEFACE – Alliteration, Colour, Shape

Students respond to the illustrations and alliteration in the book, Walter Was Worried, by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and then use what they learn to paint a portrait that uses letters for the features of the face.

Required Time

120 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 3 to Grade 7

Subject

Language Arts
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

alliteration colour emotion shape

Materials

Painting Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12") Paint Brushes Water Containers Tempera Paint Plastic Placemats Masking Tape Paper Towels Pencils Plastic Container Lids For Palettes

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Steps

TYPEFACE – Alliteration, Colour, Shape - Step One

Step One

TEXT PAGE

  1. Tape the paper to a plastic placemat.
  2. Make sure the tape is straight and runs parallel to the outer edges of the paper.
  3. Fill the space with colour. 
  4. Mix colours together on the paper.
  5. Use bold, loose brushstrokes.
  6. Let Laura Vaccaro Seeger's style influence the way you paint.
  7. Set the paper aside to dry.
TYPEFACE – Alliteration, Colour, Shape - Step Two

Step Two

PICTURE PAGE

  1. Tape the paper to a plastic placemat.
  2. Make sure the tape is straight and runs parallel to the outer edges of the paper.
  3. Paint the head and neck.
  4. Make sure it fills the page.
  5. Let Laura Vaccaro Seeger's style influence the way you paint it.
  6. Set the paper aside to dry.
TYPEFACE – Alliteration, Colour, Shape - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Choose your word.
  2. Make sure it describes an emotion.
  3. Make sure to use alliteration – words that have the same sound at the beginning.
  4. Plan how you will use the letters for the features of the face.
TYPEFACE – Alliteration, Colour, Shape - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Draw the words on the text page.
  2. Paint the letters using the same colours you plan to use on the face.
TYPEFACE – Alliteration, Colour, Shape - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Paint the letters on the face.
  2. Make sure you use the same shape and colour for the letters as you did on the text page.
TYPEFACE – Alliteration, Colour, Shape - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Gently remove the tape from both paintings.
  2. Glue them beside each other on a piece of construction paper.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  • identify characteristics of Laura Vaccaro Seeger's style;
  • paint a portrait in a style influenced by Laura Vaccaro Seeger; 
  • use a variety of textured brushstrokes and contrasting colours;
  • use alliteration and text to create the features of a face; 
  • demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; 
  • support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Extensions

Have students work in small groups:

  • Use a program such as iMovie, Movie Maker or PowerPoint to create a digital story using their paintings;
    - scan or photograph each 2-page spread
    - add voice over and sound effects to demonstrate the emotion described in the illustration
    - expand the story in additional 2-page spreads
  • Share the completed works with their peers.

Prepare

  1. Prior to this lesson teach the concept of alliteration – using words that start with the same sound.
  2. Get a copy of the book, Walter Was Worried, by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.
  3. Collect plastic lids (about 15 cm diameter) to use as palettes – enough for one per student.

Introduction

  1. Conduct a read-aloud with the book, Walter Was Worried, by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.
  2. View the images on each page. Start with the first 2-page spread, Walter was worried when
  3. Ask students to look at the images closely for a minute.
  4. Share first impressions of the painting, and make a list of the things students describe, for example,
    - textured, loose brushstrokes
    - strong, contrasting colours
    - everything is simplified
    - letters use different fonts
    - letters of word are used for the features of the face
    - letters in the face are the same colour and shape, but different sizes
    - shape of letters helps to show the emotion
    - uses alliteration - Walter, was, worried
    - colours match the emotions
  5. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Identify characteristics of Laura Vaccaro Seeger's style.
  2. Paint a portrait in a style influenced by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.
  3. Use a variety of textured brushstrokes and contrasting colours.
  4. Use alliteration and text to create the features of a face.
  5. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  6. 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 my painting is in a style influenced by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, for example:
    - textured brushstrokes
    - strong, contrasting colours
    - everything is simplified
    - use of alliteration
    - letters use different fonts
    - text creates features of the face
    - paper is in good condition
  3. Encourage students to add their own personal touch to their painting.
  4. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  5. Observe students as they work. 
  6. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  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:
    - use of alliteration, and suggest other words that might work with the person's name;
    - how their painting shows the influence of Laura Vaccaro Seeger;
    - use of text to create features and show the emotion.
  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 paintings – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads – Typeface_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads – Typeface_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

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