Third and Fourth Grade started the year off with a lesson on symmetry and pattern. After writing their names on a folded piece of paper, the names were cut out and details added. Patterns were introduced and added to their name aliens.
Fifth grade started the year off with my funky names lesson. Students were challenged to turn the letters of their names into things they like. A quick demo and discussion on things they could draw started them off. Color was added.
Sixth grade started with a lesson on one point perspective. After drawing boxes in one-point perspective, students applied their understanding to their initials. Color and pattern were added.
Seventh grade started with a lesson on lettering and pattern. Using their names, students wrote bubble or block letters that had to overlap. Each letter was then filled with a pattern, and the overlapped spaces filled with different patterns. The patterns were filled in using sharpies and the outlines of the letters erased. The main objective of this lesson was to get students to notice that the shapes of their letters can be created by something other than a line.
I started off the eighth graders with a lesson on graffiti letters. After looking at examples of different lettering, we created a list of the characteristics of graffiti names. Students were also shown graffiti alphabets from all over the world for inspiration. After a quick lesson on creating three dimensional letters and a demo on ways to start their names, students worked on a rough draft. Students replicated their graffiti names onto their portfolios where all their work will be stored. Colored sharpies and duct tape was used to personalize them.