Lesson adapted from Book Club: A Literature-Based Curriculum by Rapheal et.al.
Objectives:
Students will be able to recognize imagery in a text.
Students will be able to draw a picture reflecting the text.
GLCEs and Standards:
Materials:
Song of the Trees by Mildred Taylor (25 copies)
Reading logs (25 copies)
Includes: journal pages, vocabulary sheets,
Drawing Paper
Drawing materials: crayons, colored pencils
Introduction / 5 min.“Today we are going to begin reading Song of the Trees. Again this book is by Mildred Taylor. Before we go any further I just want to talk briefly about book club format. Remember we have a minilesson, you read and write, there is small are large group discussion. ”
Remind students of adding connections to the timeline.
Introduce character sticks.
Lesson Outline / 50 min.
Read pages 1-19 aloud. They should listen carefully and enjoy the books language. Stop if students notice figurative language. Continue to model making connections while reading.
“If you look in your reading log you will notice that the goals for the day are to look at two elements of authors craft, dialect and imagery. Our next lesson will look closer at the use of dialect, but today we are going to focus on imagery. What does imagery mean? (Imagery= the use of language that appeals to the senses to create a picture in the reader’s minds). Look through the text pages 1-19 and see if you can find an example of imagery.”
Jot words on the board as the students share their examples. Ask the students why Mildred Taylor might use these words. Take one example and substitute the words for ones that do not use imagery. Talk about how it changes the meaning and the feeling of the book.
We said that imagery creates a picture in the readers mind. Yesterday many of you predicted that trees would be important in this story. Hopefully Mildred Taylor has already created a picture in your mind of the trees. Someone please read to me what your reading log question says. You are going to draw a picture of the how you imagine the forest in The Song of the Trees.
I have this nicer paper for you to draw on because I think it is important to use good materials when you are creating artwork. You all get one sheet. If you make a mistake and want to start over, you will need to use regular computer paper. Does everyone understand?
I also brought from home my colored pencils. I do not mind sharing. These are called prisma colors and they are very nice and expensive colored pencils. They will look quite a bit different from regular colored pencils. I need to be sure that you know this so you will take extra good care of them for me. If you need to sharpen one please bring it to me because I want to make sure they last as long as possible. If you would rather use regular colored pencils or crayons that is fine with me.
There is no wrong way to draw the trees, but you need to look back in your book. After you are done drawing you will need to write in your journal about why you drew them the way you did so be ready for that.
I do want to give you three pieces of artistic advice. I am not going to give you a lower grade if you do not choose to take this advice, but I want to tell you some things that good artists do.
1. No lollypop trees. Drawing trees can be tricky. I talked to your art teacher about how to help you and she said you should all know about not drawing lollypop trees. Think about how trees actually look while you are drawing.
2. Leaves are not one color green, trunks are not one color brown. If you look at the trees out the window you will notice that there are shadows and lighter parts on the trunks and on the leaves.
3. Think about where your horizon line goes. It should not be at the bottom. Trees don’t float. It also should not be right down the middle. It is an art principle that thirds are more interesting to look at.
I will put on some music while you work. I expect it to be quiet in here while you are working. Artistic concentration is something I take just as seriously as your need to concentrate in math or anything else.
Give students 30 minutes to draw their pictures. More time will be given to finish these so students create work they are proud of.
Closing / 2 min.
“If you did not finish we will have more time tomorrow. We will also share our work so be thinking about what you would like to tell us about your picture. You should include why you drew it the way you did.
Accommodation:
Drawing and writing will give P a chance to excel. She has trouble expressing herself succinctly in writing and it will be a chance to see how she does drawing.
Directions are given very explicitly for B. Check in with him to be sure he understands the expectations and that there is not one right way to do this drawing. M needs an artistic challenge, tell her that I expect her to be able to follow the artistic advice. Make sure that she is making connections in her writing.
Assessment:
Make sure students are drawing forest that reflect the text. Observe and note what students flip back into their book.