Life Map

CLASS PERIOD: 50 minutes

RESOURCES: Laura Roberts created this lesson.

ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
IL.3.C STANDARD: Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.
IL.26.B.4d - Visual Arts: Demonstrate knowledge and skills that communicate clear and focused ideas based on planning, research and problem solving.

OBJECTIVE:
• The student will design and create their life map.

MATERIALS: My Life Plan Worksheet, My Life Plan Rubric, Overhead Projector, Computer, Design Software (Adobe Illustrator CS4), Microsoft Word, Scanner, Printer

PROCEDURE:
(ANTICIPATORY) Directions on overhead: Pick up the My Life Plan Worksheet and start to read the directions. I will take attendance while they read the worksheet. (2 min.)

(LESSON OBJECTIVE) The student will design and create their life map.

(INSTRUCTIONAL INPUT) I will ask the students if they know what a life map is? A life map is basically a map of your life, showing some good things and some bad things that happen in your life. It is a great way to see where you have been in your life and where you are heading.

(MODELING) I will put my life map on the overhead for everyone to see. As the students can see, my life map is up on the overhead. As you can see I have had a very interesting life. I will ask if any student wants to know what an image or graphic on my map means.

(GUIDED PRACTICE) I will explain their first lesson, their ‘Life Map’. I will have the students look at the Life Map Worksheet. I will go through the rubric and show examples of good balance vs. great balance. I will also explain the how grading works on the rubric, Commendable is an A; Acceptable is a B-C; and Not Acceptable is a D. We will review the instructions – see attached sheet. I will give some suggestions as to what the student’s can use – photos around the house, magazine images, clip art, or hand drawings. (5 min.)

(INDEPENDENT PRACTICE) I will explain that the students first need to start thinking/brainstorming on ideas that they want on their life map. They need to come up with a rough draft by Monday. What they don’t finish in class they can finish as homework. (5 min.)

(CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING) I will ask if any students have questions regarding the Life Map project. (5 min.)

CLOSURE: I will ask if any of the students have any questions as to what they can use for their life map. Rough draft ideas are due Monday. For the next class, I will let the students know that 3-ring binders are due Tuesday for another project we have. (2 min.) See you tomorrow!

EVALUATION: I will review the questions asked throughout the lesson. I will reflect on the lesson and see if I gave allotted enough time, and if the lesson plan motivated the students.

ACCOMMODATIONS: The life map can be completed by anyone, no matter what their diversity. I think that it would be excellent if there was diversity among the students. It would turn the life plan into a multi-cultural lesson. It could give the students an opportunity to find out how the cultures are similar or different. Some accommodations that can be made: simplify the life map directions and rubric. The life map could be hand drawn if need be. Special computer
equipment can be used for students that need it.

LIFE MAP DIRECTIONS
• Sign onto a computer.
• Open up Adobe Illustrator CS4, go under FILE > NEW > name your life map - ‘(your name) life map’, make sure
the dimensions are 8.5x11 landscape and click OK.
• Create a folder on your zip disk called ‘Life Map’ and save your life map in the folder.

BACKGROUND:
• Using the left toolbar, find the square click on it and draw it onto your desktop.
• To create a color background, click on the left toolbar on the swatches. A swatches panel will appear. Click on the color swatch, gradient or pattern you want to appear in the box.
• If you want a gradient, then click on the the left toolbar on the gradient bar. To change the colors, double click on the gradient slider. A color panel will show up, click on the color swatch you want to use. You can add more gradient sliders just by clicking.

CLIPART
• Find the clip art online or on the server you want to put into your life map. Save the clip art onto the life map folder
on your zip disk.
• Double click on the clip art you want to use, it should open up in Adobe Illustrator CS2. Then go under SELECT > ALL. Then go under OBJECT > GROUP. Next go under EDIT > COPY.
• Go back to your life map you created and go under EDIT > PASTE. While it is selected you can move it around your page to put it where you want it to go. Using the corners, you can also resize it. To resize it hold down the shift key, use the solid arrow and grab any corner and drag it in or out to resize it.

PHOTOS
• Save all the photos you want to use into the folder you created on your zip disk called ‘Life Map’.
• Open up your Life Map, go under File > Place. Then find the photo you want to put into your life map. Once you find it, click on it and it will appear on your Life Map. To resize it hold down the shift key, use the solid arrow and grab any corner and drag it in or out to resize it.

LINES
• To create a line, you can use either tool you want, the Pen Tool or the Line Tool. If you notice, there is an arrow in the lower right hand side. This means there are different options if you hold the mouse down over the tool. Select which line you want to draw and start to draw your lines.
• If you want to change the color, you should change the fill to nothing and then change the color to whatever color you want to use. Go under Stroke in right panel to change the thickness of the line.
• If you want to use brushes to create unusual lines, click on the Brushes in the right panel. If you want to add more brushes, click on the arrow >Open Brush Library > and pick what library you want to use.
• Using the different tools, play around and design your life map. If you need help ask one of your peers first, or click
the F1 key to get help online.

LIFE MAP RUBRIC
Commendable 3
Appearance Very professional appearance; great balance; eye catching

Acceptable 2
Somewhat professional appearance; good balance; pleasant

Not Acceptable 1
Not professional in appearance; balance not achieved; boring

Commendable 3
Creativity Very creative; will
definitely attract students’ interest and attention

Acceptable 2
Creative; will attract students’ interest and attention

Not Acceptable 1
Not creative; students may not even notice it

Commendable 3
Purpose Clearly starts at birth and ends at present day. Illustrates the hills and valleys, the thrills and conflicts. Has at least 6 images

Acceptable 2
Starts at birth and ends at present day Illustrates the hills and valleys, the thrills and conflicts. Has at least 4 images.

Not Acceptable 1
Not clear where the map starts. Illustrates the hills and valleys, the thrills and conflicts. Has less than 3 images.

Content 1
page, double spaced. No spelling errors. typed narrative explaining your life map.

Total Score
A 9 - 10
B 7 - 8
C 5 - 6
D 4 - 5