Poetry Book Cover Design

Submitted by: Linda McLean
Media Specialist / Art Teacher
Title: Poetry
Presenters: Linda McLean &Cindy Scarpace
Grade: 5th; Book Making
Time Needed: 2 or 3 Sessions

Enduring Idea:

Students will study the famous Detroit Artist, Tyree Guyton to understand his artistic visions of the doors of life.

Michigan Benchmarks:
All students will
1. apply skills and knowledge to perform in the arts
2. apply skills and knowledge to create in the arts
3. analyze, describe and evaluate works of art
4. understand, analyze, and describe the arts in their historical, social, and cultural contexts
5. recognize, analyze, and describe connections between the arts and everyday life

Creativity Connection:

Students reflect a theme for their personal journal by assembling materials as a book cover into a desired design.

Vocabulary:

Detroit Artist - Tyree Guyton, journal, construction, book cover, materials, balance, design, theme, dreams, thought, reflections, reaction, measure, assemble

Procedure:

Read selected poems from The Heidelberg Project, A Street of Dreams. Discuss the poet’s feelings and the artist’s visions of his work. Students write down reactions, reflections, special words that identify their impressions of the Heidelberg Project. Where do their thoughts lead them? Save these ideas for entering into journals.

Construct personal journals using found materials that reflect a desired theme. Use a sturdy Tag board (8 ½ x 11" size - 21.6 x 28 cm) as the base for the cover. Glue shapes and materials onto the cover in the design of choice. Keep materials as flat as possible so as not to make the journal too heavy. When the cover is completed and dry, bind it with plastic binders, or assemble with writing paper and backing by staples, sewing, or tying with yarn.

Students now make initial entries into their journals that are thoughts and feelings about the poetry book and the art of Heidelberg Street.

Visual Aids:

The Heidelberg Project: A Street of Dreams, by Linda K. McLean
Tyree Guyton pictures, news articles, photos, posters, website- www.heidelberg.org
Poetry Forms Website [Archive]

Materials:

Template of Poetry Forms, various materials suitable for assembling onto a sturdy background for cover, Colored Markers, Drawing Paper, White Glue, Scissors, Tag board, lined paper for journal, Yarn Assortment, staples, plastic binding strips.

Optional - Inspirational words - stamps such as; Joy, Believe in yourself, Live, Love, Laugh, Take Time to Smell the Roses, Harmony, Believe in your Dreams. ☺
Different colored stamp pads

Assessment:

Is the journal a reflection of the students’ creativity? Is it sturdy enough to hold together? Is the cover a good design and not too heavy?