SchoolArts - March 2007

• white drawing paper or watercolor paper

• teabags to color paper

• pencils

• permanent markers

• examples of maps

future. Memories and goals were translated into symbolic images. The images served as landmarks of their memories on their maps.

Procedures

The next step was preparing the paper. We dyed white drawing paper using teabags and brewed tea, creating little pools where students wanted darker lines. While the paper was drying, students began sketching ideas for the shape of the country on their maps. We looked carefully at a variety of maps for ideas. We talked about characteristics of maps and which elements needed to be added to their sketches.

Students listed things like a key or legend, landmark indicators, patterned regions such as mountains and forests, a variety of lines, and even decorative images such as whales or shipwrecked boats. After the paper was dry and the sketch was completed, students drew their images on the tea-stained paper. They painted the maps using watercolor and outlined images with marker or pen.

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas.

WEB LINK

www.artjunction.org/articles/ mapartists.html

The Results

The results were exhilarating! Students were able to discover things about themselves and their artistic abilities through the introspection necessary to create these maps. Students created beautiful works of art that represented their culture, their lives, and their dreams (not to mention all the useful information they learned about maps).