Artists' Books and Poetry
(Ann Christopherson)
Purpose
To provide opportunities for students to:
- explore and discuss 'books as art' and artists' books with the aim of creating an artists' book of their own
- explore and discuss the use of the mandala in art and architecture and literature
- explore and experiment with various poetry forms with the aim of writing and shaping a poem that can be communicated through the medium of an artists' book
Description
This eight week unit of work for Year 6 and 7 students is based in the the Visual Arts Strand of The Arts Key Learning Area, however, strong links are made to the Key Learning Areas of English and Technology as well as to Literacy, and in particular, visual literacy.
Resources
James Hardie Library of Australian Fine Arts, Artists' Books Collection, State Library of Queensland - a physical collection of Artists' books available for viewing at the State Library of Queensland.
Websites:
- State Library of Queensland: Artists' Books
- Queensland Studies Authority: Years 1 to10 - The Arts [new window http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs1to10/kla/arts/index.html ]
- State Library of Queensland: Artists' Book Digital Collection
Software:
Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft PowerPoint
Procedure
Teachers require some prior knowledge of the following before implementing this unit:
- Elements of design: colour, line, shape, layout, position
- Literate Futures: Reading document and the Four Resources For Reading
- Various poetry forms
- Awareness of mandalas
Year 6 and 7 students participate in the following learning experiences as they worked through three phases of Visual Arts activities of Exploring, Developing and Responding, which correspond to the interrelated processes of making, displaying and appraising images and objects.
Exploring
Students:
- discuss historical evidence about books explore the purpose and meanings of artists' books
- explore and discuss techniques and processes found in Artist's Books
- compare and contrast characteristics of traditional books and artists books
- explore and discuss the use of the mandala in art, architecture and literature
- explore various poetry forms
- discuss links between poetry and art
Developing
Students:
- make a series of small 'book-like' constructions
- write and shape a poem incorporating the mandala form
- collect and identify materials of personal interest and relevance to their message
- apply production techniques to experiment with collage and layering of images and text to convey meaning in their Artist's Book
- create form for artist book which conveys personal messages through use of collected materials and poem
- use elements of design to convey meaning
Responding
Students:
- plan how to exhibit their Artist's Book
- exhibit their artist's book
- apply knowledge of the elements of design to deepen understanding of their own and other's works
- use the 4 Resources Model to read the text type, deepen knowledge and appreciation as well as critically analyze their understanding of the piece
- reflect on the process
A unit plan [new window 151 kb 
] is available which contains details of core learning outcomes, learning experiences, suggested resources, as well as student and teacher resource sheets.
A PowerPoint show to support Phase 2: Developing activities is also in production.
Assessment
These assessment activities are included throughout the unit which are supported by student and teacher resource sheets available within the unit plan:
Phase 1 - Exploring
Student Resource Sheet 1: Great moments in the evolution of books - timeline activity
Student Resource Sheet 2: Evolution of books - flowchart activity
Student Resource Sheet 3: Compare and contrast Artists' Books to traditional books - Venn Diagram activity
Student Resource Sheet 4: Basic Mandala shape or form - writing activity
Student Resource Sheet 5: Poetry forms useful when using the mandala - writing activity
Phase 2 - Developing
Student Resource Sheet 4: Basic Mandala shape or form - writing activity
Phase 3 - Responding
Teacher Resource Sheet 5: Literacy skills: suggested questions for guided reading and deepening understanding
Learning outcomes
The Arts:
Visual Arts Strand: VA 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
Technology:
Technology Practice Strand: TP 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Materials Strand
Materials MAT 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2
English:
Cultural Strand
Writing and Shaping Substrand: Cu 3.3, 4.3
Operational Strand
Writing and Shaping Substrand: Op 3.3, 4.3
Critical Strand
Writing and Shaping Substrand: Cr 3.3, 4.3
Last updated: 6th September 2007
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