(G.I.F) Graphics Integrates Fun

This lesson plan follows three of the South Carolina Visual Arts Curriculum Standards. These standards include:

I. Creative Expression
Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes

II. Aesthetic Perception/Creative Expression
Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions

III. Creative Expression/Aesthetic Valuing
Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas


Goal #1 - Use technology to enhance and promote creativity within projects.

Objective(s):
A) Understand how to trace a picture on a graphics pad using a stylus pen.
B) Use various drawing tools within the graphics programs Corel Painter Classic and Adobe Photoshop Elements 1.0, which is included with each Wacom Graphire 3 Classic graphics tablet.
C) Select pictures from various clip art galleries to incorporate into their projects.


Activity #1: The students will take pictures of themselves using a digital camera. Using these pictures, they will create a caricature of themselves using the stylus pen to trace and add features to the pictures on the graphics pad. The students will experiment with different pressure sensitivities of the stylus pen to create various line thicknesses. Once this task is accomplished, a caricature body will be added from a preselected Internet gallery of body drawings that will be added to their faces to complete their project.


Goal #2 - Understand how math is incorporated into art projects using technology.

Objective(s):
1) Use the digital camera to take pictures.
2) Manually measure and plot coordinates on the line segments of geometrical shapes.
3) Exhibit how to connect coordinate plots within geometrical shapes using strings.


Activity #1: The students will go on a field trip around the school campus and take digital pictures of subjects that are created using geometrical shapes. Once the pictures are taken and printed out, the students will create a photo montage merging the pictures together.


Activity #2
The students will take a digital picture of an object from nature such as a butterfly, leaf or a flower. Once the picture is printed, it should be mounted with tape on an 8 ½ “x 11” board. The students will re-create the picture by drawing geometrical shapes on top of the image in its true likeness. Using a ruler, they will plot the lines of each shape in ½ inch increments using a pen. Once the coordinates are plotted on the lines, nails will be inserted into the plotting points. After all of the nails are in place, the digital picture should be removed. Sequenced numbers will be added to the plotted coordinates to achieve an optical illusion effect within the shapes. These numbers will be connected with strings through number recognition and predetermined steps to create patterns of line illusions.


Goal #3 - Exhibit the ability to show proficient writing and digital camera skills to enhance graphic design projects.

Objective(s):
A) Use the various picture taking settings of the digital camera.
B) Exhibit how to upload and save photos to the computer desktop when taken with a digital camera.
C) Use the Graphire3 stylus pen along with the software Corel Painter Classic and Adobe Photoshop Elements 1.0, which is included with each Wacom Graphire 3 Classic graphics tablet to edit and change the effects of a digital picture.
D) E-mail digital pictures.


Activity #1:
The students will take several digital shots of a subject of their choice. Once this task is completed, they will upload the photos and save them to the computer. Three of the photos taken will be reworked using the software Corel Painter Classic or Adobe Photoshop Elements 1.0, which is included with each Wacom Graphire 3 Classic graphics tablet to exhibit visual effects of blurring, distorting, and stretching.


Activity #2:
The students will create an e-poem that consists of incorporating a digital picture and a personal handwritten poem using the Graphire3 stylus pen along with the graphics program Corel Painter Classic. Once the e-poem is created, students will e-mail his or her e-poem to their classmates, family members or friends.