Name of Project: Character Creation Program - Shape/Logo

Grade Level or Age of Participant: Students age 8-11

MCAD Teaching Artist:  Kristina Wacker



OVERVIEW OF PROJECT

Character Creation Program

“Our mentors and students work together to create a one-of-a-kind character and costume based on the child’s imagination and values — along the way, we spark imagination and build confidence. With the help and guidance from their creative mentors, kids are able to explore their creativity and build something more ambitious than they ever thought possible.”

In-person program/Hybrid

  • Connect with your buddy for 1 hour every week for a period of 8 - 10 weeks

  • Create a character and costume using our huge collection of art supplies 

  • Celebrate your creation & participate in a costume parade, presentation, and professional photoshoot

Students will also: 

  • Learn skills and elements of illustration, including the use of color, shape, mark-making, and fore/middle/background

  • Learn more about creative careers from visiting artists


“BIG IDEAS”/ ESSENTIAL QUESTION(S)

Students will, over the duration of the course, build their confidence and explore their creativity through the creation of their super buddy characters and costumes.


STUDENT OUTCOME OBJECTIVES 

Students will:

  1. Learn the symbolism behind different shapes

  2. Learn how to construct complex shapes out of simpler ones

  3. Use shapes to create a logo for their super buddy

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

[Lesson Timeline]


CHECKING-IN TO STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING

Students write down/explain what shape they used in their logos, and why/how they used those shapes.


MATERIALS

  • Buddybook

  • Shape Worksheet

  • Large pieces of cardboard or cardstock to make badge

  • Crayons

  • Markers

  • Colored Pencils

  • Fabric

  • Tape

  • Scissors

  • Staplers

  • Hot glue guns, glue sticks

  • Ribbon

  • Pipe Cleaners

  • Construction paper

  • Popsicle sticks

  • Pom poms

  • Fake floral items

  • Cardboard

  • Miscellaneous plastic items (bottle caps, googly eyes, etc.)


LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TIMING

  1. Greeting

  2. Lesson (15-20 min)

  1. Ask intro questions

    1. “What are some shapes?”

    2. “What do you think of when you see [shape]?”

  2. Shape meanings

    1. Regular vs irregular shapes

    2. Specific shape symbolism (ex: squares sturdy, circles protective (shields), etc)

  3. Breaking down complex shapes into simple ones

    1. How to use simple shapes to make complex ones (ex, cat out of half circles, bat out of crescents, etc)

  1. Students work time their mentor (__ min)

    1. Student focus on thinking about: 

      1. How to make the logo represent their character/what it says about them

        1. Using color, shapes and the meaning behind them

  2. Virtual check in time (__ min)

    1. Ask about work, if there’s anything the student would like to share about it/how they used what they learned today?

      1. What shapes students used? Why? 

    2. Students respond ____

  3. Wrapping up / Closing  - Sharing Circle

    1. Students will all say one word about the lesson

    2. Share a shape they used in their logos

etc.

Download support materials here: