Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists by Topic
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Sunset Silhouettes

June 1, 2013

A few years ago I was in a bookstore when a book cover caught my eye:
The Day the Babies Crawled Away by Peggy Rathmann
I should mention that it caught my eye for the illustrations, not the content.  In fact, I don’t think I have ever read the book aloud to my class.
Instead, I use the book to show examples of how effective a black silhouette can be on a watercolor background.   When we look at the illustrations, we talk about the different colors they see in the backgrounds, how the silhouettes have a good balance of being high and low on the page so the background has a chance to shine through.
The first thing I have my students do is create a background using watercolors:

Next, we talk about how a silhouette is just like a shadow.  It doesn’t show all of the details.  It only shows the outline of different shapes.  We also talk about how a good balance of high, medium, and low pictures really shows off your background the best. 
Then I show them how to draw a few different types of pictures on paper to see how they will turn out:
I have the students draw their picture on black construction paper using pencil.  Once their drawing has been approved, I trace their line using a silver Sharpie marker.  Then the student cuts out and the silhouette is ready to be glued down to their watercolor paper.
Here are some final projects from my little artists (the paper curled, so some of them were hard to take photos of):

The kids always act surprised when their silhouette is glued down.  It’s like magic to them to see just how it will look in the end!
signature

Related posts:

No related posts.

«
»

Filed Under: arts & crafts 3 Comments

Comments

  1. Angela Nerby says

    June 1, 2013 at 3:15 am

    Their projects are SO pretty!

    Angela šŸ™‚
    Hippo Hooray for Second Grade!

    Reply
  2. Kristy says

    June 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    We always do this at the end of the year with a beach silhouette. They do turn out nice. I never thought to do them with other pictures. Thanks for sharing!
    Teachin' First

    Reply
  3. Tammy says

    June 1, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Those are great and very creative too!
    ā€ Tammy
    Forever in First

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe Via Email

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

Even though National Library Week is almost over, Even though National Library Week is almost over, it’s not too late to celebrate because April is also School Library Month. I want to share a book that celebrates the magic of a reader falling in love with books thanks to a little help from a school librarian.⁣
⁣
The new school library is finally open. Everyone in Mr. Tiffin’s class is excited...everyone except Jake. He is a slow and careful reader and often feels left behind on library day. When the new librarian notices that Jake shows more interest in the wooden bookshelves than the books, Librarian Beck introduces Jake to a book about woodworking. Suddenly, Jake has something he wants to read and checks it out over and over again.⁣
⁣
But, when Librarian Beck announces that books must be returned for the summer, Jake realizes he isn’t ready to say goodbye to the book. As he reads about woodworking again, he has the perfect gift idea for the librarian who changed his entire outlook on books and reading. And it’s one that will keep kids reading all summer long.⁣
⁣
Do you have any little free libraries in your area or at your school? ⁣
⁣
#thelittlelibrary⁣
#margaretmcnamara⁣
@randomhousekids⁣
@gbriankaras
Roland lives a quiet life doing the things he love Roland lives a quiet life doing the things he loves, but it can get lonely. While walking in the forest, he finds a friend. Milton might only be a pinecone, but to Roland, he’s the perfect companion for drawing, listening to music, and drinking tea. Suddenly, life isn’t so lonely.⁣
⁣
Not long after, Roland sees posters all over the forest. Someone is looking for their lost pinecone. That’s when he realizes that his new best friend already belongs to someone else. Will losing his new best friend send Roland back to his lonely days, or will this open the door for a new friendship to blossom?⁣
⁣
This beautifully illustrated book shares an important message about friends, both real and imaginary. Readers will root for Roland as he endures loneliness, joy, sadness, compassion, empathy, and more. Swipe to take a peek inside this book.⁣
⁣
Thank you to @peachtreepublishing for sharing this book with my family! My kids had so much fun creating a few new forest friends that were inspired by Milton. Check out my stories to see their creations.⁣
⁣
⁣
@sandrasalsbury #bestfriendinthewholeworld #peachtreepublishing #friendshipbooksforkids #booksaboutfriendship #kidlit #storytime #readaloud #picturebooks
Be Kind⁣ ⁣ We hear, read, and say those words Be Kind⁣
⁣
We hear, read, and say those words all the time, but what does it really mean to be kind? Do our kids really get it? When our words and actions aren’t getting the message across clearly, books can help.⁣
⁣
🪁 Kindness is a Kite String uses rhyming text, similes, and metaphors to show how one small act of kindness can start a ripple effect that quickly spreads through a community. ā€œKindness is contagious. Once you catch it...pass it on!ā€ ⁣
⁣
I love that this book includes simple ways that kids can show kindness in their everyday lives. The discussion tips that you can use before, during, and after the story are also an added bonus. Swipe to take a peek inside this book or check out my stories to learn more! Thank you to @cardinalrulepress @schaubwrites and @clairelaforte for sharing this book with my family.ā¤ļøā£
⁣
#kindnessisakitestring #cardinalrulepress #kindnessbooksforkids #selbooksforkids
I think I finally found the perfect books to give I think I finally found the perfect books to give to my children’s teachers at the end of the year! šŸ’• ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Have you read either of these books yet?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#ateacherlikeyou⁣⁣
#dearteacher
A Poem in Your Pocket is a great story to share as A Poem in Your Pocket is a great story to share as you kick-off National Poetry Month! ⁣
⁣
When Mr. Tiffin announces that an author will visit the class for Poem in Your Pocket Day, the kids are excited. Since Elinor always gets the best grades, everyone is sure she will have the best poem to share. ⁣
⁣
All through April, the students read poetry books and learn poems by heart. Mr. Tiffin introduces similes and metaphors along with haikus and concrete poems. When it’s time to start writing poems, everyone dives write in....everyone except Elinor. The pressure to write the perfect poem keeps her from writing anything at all. ⁣
⁣
Can Elinor let go of perfection and start getting creative? Or will she be the only student without a poem to share when the author finally arrives?⁣
⁣
What are some of your favorite poetry books for kids?⁣
⁣
⁣
#apoeminyourpocket⁣
#margaretmcnamara⁣
@gbriankaras⁣
@randomhousekids
When it comes to picture books, the line between n When it comes to picture books, the line between need and want becomes blurry.

Anyone else have this problem? šŸ™‹šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļøšŸ“š
ā€˜Twas March 24th, and all through the home,⁣ T ā€˜Twas March 24th, and all through the home,⁣
The children were restless and starting to roam.⁣
The books had been placed on the shelves with great care,⁣
Waiting for readers who soon would be there.⁣
⁣
⁣
šŸ“šSpoiler Alert: The books didn’t have to wait very long for the readers to arrive!⁣
⁣
⁣
Spent a little time moving and shuffling the books around in my office (again). I absolutely love these shelves that were added to this space last fall for so many reasons:⁣
• easier for my kids to access more of their favorites ⁣
• offers more places for our book buddies to hang out⁣
• extra space for our growing book collection ⁣
⁣
⁣
So now if you’ll excuse me, the books and my little readers are calling my name! šŸ˜‰

Copyright © 2021 Ā· Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs