This jack-o-lantern lesson can be used with any grade level and the results are so much fun. The students really got into thinking about what types of shapes they could cut-out to make the most interesting jack-o-lanterns. We discussed positive and negative space, symmetry, and reversed images. First, we started with the orange paper, folded it and drew only half of a pumpkin, added the features and cut them out (while the paper was still folded). Next, the students cut all of the pieces of paper that had a folded edge in half. Then, students put their jack-o-lanterns back together using only half of the pieces. To add some artistic flair to their work, students added line and shape designs to the orange paper with a black marker, and green or yellow designs to the black paper with a GelFx marker.
For students who do not celebrate Halloween, they can do the same project but instead of the jack-o-lantern, they can use random geometric and free-form shapes.
I know you said any grade can do this, but what grade did you teach it to??
ReplyDeleteThat was my 6th grade class from last year. I think that grades 3-6 will be able to do it just fine. Now, the 3rd graders will probably need the step-by-step directions, "Draw a triangle here...now draw a line here...cut on the line..."etc.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I have done positive/negative space pumpkin project before but I like how you have added using patterns to fill in! Nice twist on what I've done before so students who have taken my class before are doing something new too :)
ReplyDelete