A
Self-Portrait — Collage
Project
URL: http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/IS24/selfportraitcollage.html
This wonderful “beginning of the year” interdisciplinary
project may be used as the cover of student portfolios.
Academic Objectives:
To engage in a self-reflective creation, i.e.
the collage. [art, guidance]
To transpose the artwork to prose. [literacy]
Art & Technology Skills Targeted:
To learn how to create an artistic collage using
both words and pictures.
To develop word processing skills by utilizing
the size, style and font menus to depict words artistically and meaningfully.
Student Aim: To create a
collage self-portrait.
Motivation:
Write on the board: “A picture is worth a thousand
words.” Discuss the meaning of this famous
saying. Ask: How much do you know
about these artists by looking at their self-portraits? Discuss. Elicit: Not very much about their lives or personalities, etc. Distribute
the attached “word collage.” Ask
students to describe the person who designed it. How many would like to be friends with this person? Why. How might we successfully create a self-portrait so that others can really get to know us?
Development:
1. Display self-portraits of several
artists/photographers. How are these
pictures similar? Discuss use of a camera’s
timer to allow the photographer to enter the picture.
Demonstrate use of word processor to rotating
groups.
Teacher advises as students search pictures
and prepare words to help describe themselves holistically. They should be
advised to include hobbies, favorites, personality trait, and other symbols
self-specific.
When students finish their cutting, gather
all materials and demonstrate collage techniques--successful use of color and
space, shape variations and effect dramatized by layout . Pictures of non-self portrait related
collages should be hung around the room for students to model and/or glean
ideas from.
Final presentation collages upon completion -
hang on wall for all to see.
Tips
for teachers:
A. It is recommended that the teacher work
interdisciplinarily with the Language Arts teacher to produce self-portraits and
autobiographical pieces in writing workshop.
B. The collages and compositions might also be
published in a Hyperstudio program to introduce members of the class.
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