Olympic Figures Collagraphs

I started this lesson many weeks ago in preparation for the upcoming 2018 Olympics.  One of the district standards for 2nd grade is learning the 'rules' of the human figure. I thought this would fit perfectly into a lesson featuring the Winter Olympics. I'm excited to share all the details including full slideshow at the bottom of this post as well as a free, students-friendly lesson on how to print a collagraph.

We started by using scrap paper to creating shapes for the human figure breaking down the head to an oval, and the rest into rectangles.  Torso (from the neck to the hips) was a new work for my students. We started with the torso being a thick rectangle. Then we moved to the arms and legs discussing where the joints in the body are and that the joints are the only place that a limb can bend. Finally, we placed a head on by adding an oval (or sometimes this was more of a circle).

We practiced this skill with paper and played a game with the figures.  I asked my students to make their figure do a pose and then they would have to mimic it. They loved this game.

The next class period was creating a collagraph.  First, a slide show was presented on how the figures are positioned for the different events that take place during the winter Olympics.  I would show them a figure. They would have to guess what sport they were participating in. Then I would show the second image with details to give them the 'answer'.  In some cases, I would also show them a short clip of previous Olympics of the event we were discussing.

I had previously asked parents to send in cardboard.  I requested thin cardboard such as packaging or cereal boxes. It only took a couple days to get what we needed for this portion of our artwork.  The students repeated the activities of last class but this time with the more challenging cardboard. They glued the pieces onto a precut piece of cardboard and we really focused on holding the shapes down to get a really good adhesion between the base and the shapes applied.

Class three... we printed. This was a BLAST for both my students and myself.  I loved the excitement in the room and the collagraphs in action.  I gave each student two sheets of paper to print on.  First, the students wrote their name on the two pages. Then they printed at their tables using a brayer and black printing ink. They placed their page on the drying rack and repeated the action on the next page.  Most students were able to get 4-6 prints during the hour and still have time for clean up.

Now we are already in session 4... creating a background and applying the figure. I first talked to the young Artist about their background.  Where they going to create a vertical or horizontal image? Did they need a hill or a rink for their Olympic activity?  They created the background with two sheets of large format paper.

Then students chose their favorite figure that they printed.  They bubble cut around the figure and glued it to the background.  They then added the 'extras' such as skates, or skies or a snowboard. Then, if there was time, trees, fans, some added snowflakes.  We talked about making this composition simplistic but giving the viewer enough information to allow them to understand the sport being played.

The projects are now hanging with all the 'I Love to Read' month activities that are going on for the month of February at Prairie View Elementary and Middle School. This was perfect timing for the theme for the Media Center school-wide celebration.

Full lesson slideshow below including a FREE lesson on printing the collagraphs! This slide show has many images and video links to support this lesson including how to print a collagraph.