SchoolArts - March 2007

Embossing in black and white created the angular relief surfaces similar to Louise Nevelson’s assemblages.

Neon glow effects applied to duplicate images created interesting interpretations that mirrored Andy Warhol’s screen print images. A sponge tool created a soft watercolor effect similar to Winslow Homer’s paintings, while “posterizing” created hard black edges on the shape photos that imitated the black lines Mondrian used in his many geometric works of art.

Once selected, these six artists and their works were studied by fourth graders along with the photography of Ansel Adams. Students also watched Behind the Scenes: Framing, an excellent video on photography, composition, and design that featured magicians Penn and Teller and photographer Carrie Mae Weems.

Thematic Choices Each of the six classes decided on a kindergarten or first grade theme for their book. Each student was responsible for one page

in the book consisting of a photograph and text. The search for good subject matter to photograph took students throughout the school hallways and classrooms, out onto the playground, into the boiler room, out to the bus garage, into the storage building, along the parking lot, and even into the school kitchen.

Students were encouraged to try unusual angles and to frame their subject matter in a creative and personal style. Once prints were returned, students chose their best photos based on a set of criteria that reflected the elements and principles of design. Careful record-keeping and labeling of cameras and CDs, as well as labeling the returned prints, was essential to keep over 1000 photographs in order. The entire project was completed in only four months.

Back in the Lab

In the computer lab, Ms. Adams instructed students on the use and capabilities of the software. They learned varying degrees of transformative techniques to enhance their photography and how to insert and position their photos on the page. Although each student developed his or her own text, each class worked together to create a cohesive, fluent, and fun script for their book.

Students voted on a title for their book and developed the order of

pages, a cover, and title page. Since the books were going to eventually be handled by hundreds of young students, the pages were printed on sturdy paper. The books were bound with hard covers by using 9 x 12" ( 23 x 30 cm) landscape cover kits. The results were exciting, profes-sional-looking picture books that each student took pride in creating and sharing.

In Conclusion

Many of the outstanding photographs were also enlarged, matted, and displayed in the school-wide spring art show along with the finished books. The books are now in the permanent collection of the school library and are also recorded on CD in the event that reprints are needed. All those who participated in this wonderful learning experience are thankful to the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation for making this project possible.

Linda Lehman and Linda Adams taught art and technology at Bath Elementary School in Bath Township, Ohio, when this project was developed and completed. Lehman now teaches in the education department at Ohio Northern University. l-lehman@onu.edu