Mythological Creatures
![Picture](/uploads/5/7/7/1/5771549/206308.jpg)
Beth Conover
Title: Fantastic Mythological Characters
Grade: 6th
PA Academic Standards For The Arts And Humanities: 9.1.5.E- Know and demonstrate how arts can communicate experiences, stories or emotions through the production of works in the arts. 9.2.5.F- Know and apply appropriate vocabulary used between social studies and the arts and humanities. 9.3.5. D- Identify critical processes in the examination of works in the arts and humanities.
Objectives:
Knowledge: Students learn about Greek mythology and symmetry.
Skill: Students learn how to use their creativity and knowledge to combine characters and evolve their own creatures into an environment or even a story.
Attitude: Students learn to be aware of how symmetry can be useful in art. They also learn to be more aware of Greek history and how their ancient stories are still believed and talked about in the 21st century.
Prepare ahead: Gather visuals, former student examples, information on Insert Artist, and supplies.
Prior knowledge:Students have some knowledge of the elements of art, and how to draw using crayons, pencils, and colored pencils. They also have knowledge of primary and secondary colors and color blending.
Motivation:
Questions leading the students to discovery: Okay, today we are going to be creating our own mythological creatures. Who can get up and point to Greece on the map? Great, thank you. Who has heard of a myth? Great so what is a myth? Right, it is a traditional story about early history of people that can be about supernatural events or phenomenon. So who can tell me what a mythological creature is? A mythological creature is an imaginary being of myth or fable. Does anyone know what mythological creature this is? That’s right it’s a Griffin. Does anyone know what is special about a Griffin? That’s right they are a mix between a loin and an eagle. Why do you think I am showing you these creatures?
Today you are going to get the chance to draw your favorite mythological character, morph some together, or even make a completely new one. Here are some more examples of legends or characters that you could use for inspiration (Show Pegasus, Unicorn, Griffin, and Chiao). All of these characters tell a story, so part of your lesson is going to be coming up with a name for your character and a short bio about him. For example if your character was a griffin you could write on the bottom “Griffin, a Greek mythological creature that is part lion and part eagle”. So here are a few more examples to look at to give you some inspiration. I have some books up front that you can look at and get ideas from. I want you to be keeping in mind that at the end you will be folding your page and either morphing your character, or creating two characters facing each other. Here is what your picture should look like (show image of exemplar). I want you to be using your imaginations. You can analyze your dreams to interpret these drawings. Be creative and remember, school appropriate!
Demonstration: Okay so I decided to draw a griffin for my project, so I sketched lightly the shape I wanted him and then fine-tuned it and then went back and darkened my pencil line so it will transfer later and be symmetrical. Then I want to fold my page in half so my character will be repeated on the other side. Then I will take the point of my ruler and press down leaving a ghost image on the other side of the page. You will need to make sure you can see your entire image. You should not be making up lines. Then you will outline your character with sharpie. Next class you will be coloring in your character in colored pencils or markers (no crayons). Using blending with the colored pencils to create depth and shading, but I will go over that next class when everyone is ready to start coloring. So lets get to work brain storming our characters, and I will go around and okay your drawing before you start on your larger sheet of paper.
Visual Aids: Griffin, Athena/Minerva, Pegasus, Unicorn, Chiao, Fu, Hydra, and flying demon.
Reference to art history: Mythology and Greek myths.
Exemplars: Former student work and teacher’s example
Activity:
What will the students do?
Class 1: Students will come up with character and begin sketching out and start transferring.
Class 2: Continue transferring their character and then finishing out their character with sharpie, and labeling their character with name and brief description. They will start coloring.
Class 3: Continue coloring.
Class 4: Finish coloring and adding finishing touches.
Supplies: Scrap paper (9x 12), 12x18 paper, pencils, sharpies (fine tip), colored pencils, fine tip markers, rulers.
Vocabulary: Myths, Greece, mythological characters, transfer, and symmetry.
Closure: I am so excited to see these characters in color. Who can remind the class what materials you are allowed to use during this project. That’s right, colored pencils and fine tip markers. Now looking around your table did your drawing look the same? Where your characters the same/ similar? No, because we all have different ideas and view points. I want you to be sure you are coming up with your own ideas and exploring your own thoughts and not just using your neighbors. So next class you will be able to continue/ begin coloring these fancy characters!
PA Academic Standards For The Arts And Humanities: 9.1.5.E- Know and demonstrate how arts can communicate experiences, stories or emotions through the production of works in the arts. 9.2.5.F- Know and apply appropriate vocabulary used between social studies and the arts and humanities. 9.3.5. D- Identify critical processes in the examination of works in the arts and humanities.
Assessment Strategy: What assessment strategy tool will I use to evaluate the learning outcomes?
Can the students tell me what a myth and mythological character is?
Did they create a successful drawing filling the whole page?
Does the student understand how to transfer (does their image look symmetrical)?
Correlated Activity? (What art activity will follow)? Students will continue using their individual drawing ability and increasing their fine motor skills with a short project on making their own arena ticket/CD cover and correlating poster.
Interdisciplinary Domains: (for example) Art History: Making students aware of Greek art and mythology and how they can incorporate their ideas with their own, creating a unique creature.
Reflections: I feel this lesson is successful, because it intertwines actual history with myths, and the student’s ideas to create a diverse creature. It also helps students become more independent in their drawing skills and ideas.
Title: Fantastic Mythological Characters
Grade: 6th
PA Academic Standards For The Arts And Humanities: 9.1.5.E- Know and demonstrate how arts can communicate experiences, stories or emotions through the production of works in the arts. 9.2.5.F- Know and apply appropriate vocabulary used between social studies and the arts and humanities. 9.3.5. D- Identify critical processes in the examination of works in the arts and humanities.
Objectives:
Knowledge: Students learn about Greek mythology and symmetry.
Skill: Students learn how to use their creativity and knowledge to combine characters and evolve their own creatures into an environment or even a story.
Attitude: Students learn to be aware of how symmetry can be useful in art. They also learn to be more aware of Greek history and how their ancient stories are still believed and talked about in the 21st century.
Prepare ahead: Gather visuals, former student examples, information on Insert Artist, and supplies.
Prior knowledge:Students have some knowledge of the elements of art, and how to draw using crayons, pencils, and colored pencils. They also have knowledge of primary and secondary colors and color blending.
Motivation:
Questions leading the students to discovery: Okay, today we are going to be creating our own mythological creatures. Who can get up and point to Greece on the map? Great, thank you. Who has heard of a myth? Great so what is a myth? Right, it is a traditional story about early history of people that can be about supernatural events or phenomenon. So who can tell me what a mythological creature is? A mythological creature is an imaginary being of myth or fable. Does anyone know what mythological creature this is? That’s right it’s a Griffin. Does anyone know what is special about a Griffin? That’s right they are a mix between a loin and an eagle. Why do you think I am showing you these creatures?
Today you are going to get the chance to draw your favorite mythological character, morph some together, or even make a completely new one. Here are some more examples of legends or characters that you could use for inspiration (Show Pegasus, Unicorn, Griffin, and Chiao). All of these characters tell a story, so part of your lesson is going to be coming up with a name for your character and a short bio about him. For example if your character was a griffin you could write on the bottom “Griffin, a Greek mythological creature that is part lion and part eagle”. So here are a few more examples to look at to give you some inspiration. I have some books up front that you can look at and get ideas from. I want you to be keeping in mind that at the end you will be folding your page and either morphing your character, or creating two characters facing each other. Here is what your picture should look like (show image of exemplar). I want you to be using your imaginations. You can analyze your dreams to interpret these drawings. Be creative and remember, school appropriate!
Demonstration: Okay so I decided to draw a griffin for my project, so I sketched lightly the shape I wanted him and then fine-tuned it and then went back and darkened my pencil line so it will transfer later and be symmetrical. Then I want to fold my page in half so my character will be repeated on the other side. Then I will take the point of my ruler and press down leaving a ghost image on the other side of the page. You will need to make sure you can see your entire image. You should not be making up lines. Then you will outline your character with sharpie. Next class you will be coloring in your character in colored pencils or markers (no crayons). Using blending with the colored pencils to create depth and shading, but I will go over that next class when everyone is ready to start coloring. So lets get to work brain storming our characters, and I will go around and okay your drawing before you start on your larger sheet of paper.
Visual Aids: Griffin, Athena/Minerva, Pegasus, Unicorn, Chiao, Fu, Hydra, and flying demon.
Reference to art history: Mythology and Greek myths.
Exemplars: Former student work and teacher’s example
Activity:
What will the students do?
Class 1: Students will come up with character and begin sketching out and start transferring.
Class 2: Continue transferring their character and then finishing out their character with sharpie, and labeling their character with name and brief description. They will start coloring.
Class 3: Continue coloring.
Class 4: Finish coloring and adding finishing touches.
Supplies: Scrap paper (9x 12), 12x18 paper, pencils, sharpies (fine tip), colored pencils, fine tip markers, rulers.
Vocabulary: Myths, Greece, mythological characters, transfer, and symmetry.
Closure: I am so excited to see these characters in color. Who can remind the class what materials you are allowed to use during this project. That’s right, colored pencils and fine tip markers. Now looking around your table did your drawing look the same? Where your characters the same/ similar? No, because we all have different ideas and view points. I want you to be sure you are coming up with your own ideas and exploring your own thoughts and not just using your neighbors. So next class you will be able to continue/ begin coloring these fancy characters!
PA Academic Standards For The Arts And Humanities: 9.1.5.E- Know and demonstrate how arts can communicate experiences, stories or emotions through the production of works in the arts. 9.2.5.F- Know and apply appropriate vocabulary used between social studies and the arts and humanities. 9.3.5. D- Identify critical processes in the examination of works in the arts and humanities.
Assessment Strategy: What assessment strategy tool will I use to evaluate the learning outcomes?
Can the students tell me what a myth and mythological character is?
Did they create a successful drawing filling the whole page?
Does the student understand how to transfer (does their image look symmetrical)?
Correlated Activity? (What art activity will follow)? Students will continue using their individual drawing ability and increasing their fine motor skills with a short project on making their own arena ticket/CD cover and correlating poster.
Interdisciplinary Domains: (for example) Art History: Making students aware of Greek art and mythology and how they can incorporate their ideas with their own, creating a unique creature.
Reflections: I feel this lesson is successful, because it intertwines actual history with myths, and the student’s ideas to create a diverse creature. It also helps students become more independent in their drawing skills and ideas.