Creating Picture Books – Stories From Nature
This short course invites students to explore the art of pointillism while celebrating the intricate patterns found in nature. Over the course of a week, students will learn to create vibrant penguin-inspired artworks using tiny dots of paint, highlighting movement and texture. By the end of the course, students will transform their classroom into a captivating gallery, celebrating patterns in nature through their creative masterpieces.
By the end of the course, students will upload their books to the Upschool library, sharing their stories and illustrations with a global audience. This creative journey not only celebrates storytelling and artistic expression but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the wonders of nature.
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 17: Partnerships For The Goals
Goal 15: Life On Land
100% Free Course
What is this Course About?
Dive into the icy wonderland of Antarctica to combine art and storytelling in a way that celebrates creativity and nature! Gavin and Jordan from Young Art USA will take you on an inspiring journey with a live video from an Adélie penguin colony, where you’ll learn to craft bold caricatures and turn them into captivating storybooks.
This week, students will explore the art of caricature by exaggerating penguin features into fun, expressive characters. Then, they’ll bring these characters to life through storytelling and illustration. By the end of the course, the classroom will transform into a vibrant gallery, showcasing their incredible creations, which will be shared with the world through the Upschool library.
Skills We Will Cover
- Artistic Techniques
Students will master the art of caricature, learning to exaggerate shapes, colours, and lines to create dynamic and engaging characters. - Storytelling and Narrative Building
Students will develop compelling narratives and pair them with illustrations, creating storybooks that reflect their unique vision. - Collaboration and Presentation
Through a gallery exhibition and the Upschool library, students will learn to showcase their work and share their stories with a global audience. - Environmental Awareness
By focusing on penguins and their Antarctic habitats, students will deepen their understanding of wildlife and conservation.
What Will We Create?
- Caricature Creation
Students will design caricatures of penguins, focusing on exaggeration and artistic expression to bring out personality and humour. - Brown Skua Sketching
Guided by observation, students will create detailed sketches of the brown skua, practising shading and texture techniques. - Character Development and Storytelling
Using their penguin caricatures as inspiration, students will write and illustrate engaging storybooks filled with adventure and personality.
Showcasing Our Picture Books
This week, we’ll transform the classroom into a vibrant library celebrating students’ picture books. Each story will be beautifully displayed, complete with engaging illustrations and imaginative narratives. Thoughtful arrangements will highlight the creativity and effort poured into every page.
This shared space will inspire community engagement, sparking discussions about storytelling, artistic expression, and the powerful messages behind each book. It’s a chance to celebrate creativity and showcase the students’ unique perspectives to a wider audience.
Lesson Plans
Teachers will gain access to comprehensive lesson plans designed to align with curriculum standards in visual arts, English, and science. These plans provide step-by-step guidance on incorporating artistic techniques, fostering reflective discussions, and creating opportunities for students to share and teach their work.
Each lesson encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while linking classroom activities to real-world applications and environmental awareness. These detailed resources are tailored to inspire both students and educators, making every session meaningful and impactful.
Real-World Learning
This course bridges art, science, and community engagement, demonstrating how creativity can deepen understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Through activities like sketching the brown skua and designing penguin-inspired caricatures, students not only hone their artistic skills but also develop a connection to environmental conservation.
By sharing their creations in the Upschool library, students experience the real-world impact of their work, inspiring a global audience and reinforcing the power of art to drive awareness and meaningful change.
