Word Cloud Lettering Design
Submitted by: Linda McLean
Media Specialist / Art Teacher
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, Commerce Elementary
Title: Wordle - Beautiful Word Clouds
Presenters: Linda McLean &Cindy Scarpace
Lesson © Linda McLean & Cindy Scarpace
Grade: 3-5; Unit: Technology
Time Needed: 2 or 3 Sessions
Enduring Idea:
Students will study the famous Detroit Artist, Tyree Guyton to understand his artistic visions of the Heidelberg Project in Detroit, Michigan
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 learn about a different form of art called “reclamation art," “art brut," “recyclable art," and “artscapes." Using their own impressions of this art, students will use words of their choice to create a Word Coud design on Wordle.net.
Vocabulary:
Detroit Artist - Tyree Guyton, expression, impression, reaction, Wordle, Word Clouds, elements, museum art
Procedure:
Read selected poems from "The Heidelberg Project: A Street of Dreams
Discuss Tyree Guyton’s artwork. Discuss artist feelings and artist visions of their artwork. What materials does Guyton use on The Heidelberg Project website? Where does he get his materials? How do the elements of weather affect the artwork out on the street? Is this museum art? Why or why not?
Students write words of impression or reaction as discussion is held. Ask students to share their words. Select a number of words to use in their Word Art poster.
Go to www.wordle.net
Click “create" – begin typing words. If you want words connected, don’t put any space in between. If you want a word to be large, type it several times.
Check spelling before you hit “Go"
Use the “Randomize" button to see various arrangements. Word Clouds can be saved to a public gallery, and also printed when the desired effect is achieved.
Print and mount on larger construction paper for frame.
Display as desired.
Visual Aids:
The Heidelberg Project, A Street of Dreams, by Linda K. McLean
Tyree Guyton pictures, news articles, photos, posters, website - The Heidelberg Project website
See bibliography
Additional artists for comparison:
Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg, from the book Make It Pop!
Materials: Computer
Alternative Lesson: if no computer is available
students may create a Word Art poster using magazines, Construction Paper
Assessment:
Did students use words of expression and reaction? Was spelling correct? Are the Word Clouds a pleasing design to the student?
