3rd Grade Alien Unit

I've started a short unit plan with my 3rd grade...and I'm very excited about it!! This week students are creating a "character" in collage.  I told them to come up with an original alien/monster.  As they were working on their collage...I asked them to imagine what the personality of the character would be like, where would they live, and what are things that they would do.  The next time they come ...we will review narrative art work.  They will then take their character idea and draw a picture that tells part of it's story.  The students were totally "into it"!!!  The personalities are already there, and I can already imagine some of their stories.  I can't wait to share with you the next part of the lesson over the next couple weeks!!

NARRATIVE DRAWING: 3rd Grade

I love teaching Narrative Art in 3rd Grade!  Their eyes light up when they make the connection between literature & visual arts.  They are amazed by the power they have to create stories through their pictures.  It really is a light bulb moment(that I wish came sooner...and it does for some).  3rd graders just get it!  We start it off with questions about vocabulary, and connect the literature version of the word with the art version of the word(really not a huge difference).  We usually refer to a story they are all familiar with as a point of reference.

WHAT IS A NARRATIVE?

WHAT IS A MAIN CHARACTER?

WHAT IS A SUPPORTING CHARACTER?

WHAT IS A PLOT?
WHAT IS A SETTING?  

I allow them some brain storming time before beginning their drawings.  After about 35 min, I stop the students, and have them partner up with others across the room.  They have to share the story of their partner's art work(and the partner is not allowed to interject at all until their buddy is finished explaining what they see).  

Once they have both had an opportunity to share...they return to their seats and make the necessary changes to help convey their stories more effectively. 

I've spoken with our new technology and writing teacher...and she is going to take them when we're done and the students will write the stores behind their narrative drawings!!