"Dem Bones" X-ray Drawing

Submitted by: Jeryl Hollingsworth, LaFrance Elementary in LaFrance, SC
UNIT: Letters of the Alphabet -Interdisciplinary
Lesson: X-rays - the Letter X
Grade Level: Kindergarten

Objectives:

Students will demonstrate the ability to draw vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, recognize the difference between inside and outside, create a picture of themselves.

Materials: Books on x-rays and skeletons, large Skeleton Model from the science lab, white Chalk or Crayons, black Drawing Paper, real x-rays, book Dem Bones, pad of Skin-tone Paper Doll Cut-outs .

- Example of drawing skeleton alone

Dem Bones, by Bob Barner. Publisher: Chronicle Books.
(The song we all used to sing as children about how our bones are put together)
The words of this story/song were originally sung as African American spirituals. Today, the text is used to teach children about anatomy, and how the bones are put together in the human body. The bright illustrations are a highlight of this book, and you might even want to get up and dance. After all, the toe bones connected to the foot bone...

Vocabulary: straight lines, diagonal lines, x-ray, inside, outside.

Alternate: Them Bones; Ian Dicks and David Hawcock; A four-foot, fold-out, pull-out human skeleton accompanies the lyrics of the well-known song in a work that teaches young readers about the different bones in the human body.

Standards: (S.C. state standards)

I. Understanding and applying Media, Techniques, and Processes

B. Use a variety of media, techniques and processes to communicate ideas, experiences and stories through their artworks.

II. Using knowledge of Structures and Functions

Aesthetic Perception/Creative Expression.

B. Use some elements and principles of design to communicate ideas through their artworks.

III. Making Connections between Visual Arts And Other Disciplines

B. Begin to identify connections between the visual arts and content areas across the curriculum.

Integration with Science

You can integrate this lesson by showing real x-rays to the students:

Human X-Rays on Film - Grades Pre K & up. Hold these life-sized human x-rays up to the light or use them on a light table and see every authentic detail of a real skeletal system. Arrange the 18 pieces together to reproduce the entire body of a young adult. 5' tall (1.5 m). Teacher guide included.

Activity: Teacher will show x-rays, read book about skeletons-talk about x-rays being a photo of the inside of your body, how is that different from a regular photo?

Teacher will let students choose cut-out of children that most matches their skin tone (I used a Paper Doll Pad made by Roylco, available at Dick Blick) Students color and draw on the paper to match what they look like and what they are wearing. While they are working, I went around and stapled their person to a sheet of 9 X 12 (23 x 30.5 cm) black Construction Paper. When the students were close to being finished with the picture of the outside of their bodies...

Teacher will demonstrate how to draw skeletons with white chalk or white crayon. (I had them trace around the person with a pencil first so the skeleton would stay inside the body)

Students will make x-ray picture of themselves under the first picture.

Note: Template could be made for figure, students trace and cut out - or they could draw their own figure - depending on time. In previous years, Jeryl just had student draw the skeleton. Many drew family and pets - See example.

Evaluation: student work and teacher observation.- looking for recognizable pictures of students, students able to talk about the different lines being used.

Resources:

• Bones Exhibit Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Archive)

• About the exhibit at the Children's Museum (Archive)

Art Appreciation:

• Jose Posada http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/posada_jose_guadalupe.html

• Neat Japanese Print - Utagawa Kuniyoshi

• http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/detail/Detail_kuniyoshi_utagawa.html (maybe too scary for kindergarten)

Songs

• Bones – by Jennifer Fixman http://www.songsforteaching.com/jennyfixmanedutunes/bones.htm

• Dem Bones or Dry Bones (Here is a version you can use – also has traditional lyrics):

• http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/songs/childrens/bonesmp3.htm

• Dance/Movement Lessons to adapt http://artswork.asu.edu/teachers/lesson_plans/integrated_arts/about_me.php

• Songs and Lyrics for Scary Skeleton – FUN animation to show students. Come up with a dance to go with this (just watch the animation and copy some of the moves). http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/kids/songs/skeleton.html

• Here is music for "Dry Bones" http://www.kidscookiemix.com/storytime/ (Archive)