Lesson Plan: Using Decorative Paper and Collage to Illustrate ...

Procedures
• Introduce students to the works of Steve Jenkins (see materials list for suggested books).
Talk with students about the roles of the author and the illustrator in the production of a
picture book. Choose a book by Steve Jenkins to read aloud to the class. Refer to the Tips
for Using Picture Books in Your Classroom handout.
• Discuss the theme or subject of the book as a group. How do the illustrations support the
text? How does the text support the illustrations?
• Give students time to look at several books by Jenkins so they can study the illustrations
as well as the text. Ask students to talk about the illustrations. How do they think the
illustrations were made? What materials did the artist use? Have they seen images like
these before? Where?
• Jenkins finds unique papers from around the world with which to make his animal collages.
After sketching an idea, Jenkins will cut and tear the paper into its final shape. Discuss this
collage technique with your students. There is a short video (2.5 minutes) about how the
book Move! was made on Steve Jenkins’ website:
http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/makingbooks.html
• Take time to demonstrate the different steps that Jenkins follows when creating his
illustrations. Show how to change the surface of the paper by creating textures or designs
with rubbing plates or by crumpling, dyeing, tearing, and/or drawing on the paper. Explain
to the students that they will be creating their own animal illustrations using the collage
technique that Jenkins uses.
Activity
• Students should choose one animal they would like to learn more about. It can be an
animal from one of Steve Jenkins’ books or any animal that interests them. Students will
research the animal, identify three interesting facts they have learned about it, and include
images.
• Students will choose one interesting fact to illustrate in their collage. They should prepare
preliminary sketches to use as a guide while they are working.
• Offer different types of paper for students to use in their collage. Also, provide materials for
students to make their own decorative paper. Remind students to carefully consider the
paper that they are choosing to ensure that it relates to the animal and/or fact they are
depicting.
• Allow students time to share their final artwork and interesting animal facts with the class.
Evaluation
• Where did the student conduct his/her research? How was the data used or interpreted?
Did the student cite their sources?
• Was the student able to express the characteristics of his/her chosen animal accurately?
• Can students explain how different surfaces can be achieved?
• Do students understand what a collage is?
• Do students understand the process of making a cut and torn paper collage?
Common Core Standards: RL.K-1.6, RL.K-5.7, RI.K-5.6, RI.K-5.7, RI.K-5.9