Curriculum-Based Workshops
ART
This workshop is foundational to drawing cartoons. Students learn how to draw a wide variety of characters in a variety of different and creative ways -- people, animals, mythical creatures, products, food, devices, objects, machines, buildings, structures, symbols, vegetation, technology, clothing, money, and mascots.
Students are introduced to cartooning as an art form that applies the basic elements of both drawing and design -- color, space, form, line, shape, value, and texture. In addition, they'll learn about and apply the principles of drawing and design -- emphasis, balance, contrast, movement, unity/variety, rhythm, and pattern -- to the creation of their own cartoons.
Students learn how to create their own cartoons starting with choosing and researching a topic, deciding what the purpose of the cartoon will be, determining time and place as well as from what point of view the cartoon will be drawn and/or told, mapping out the layout taking into account the words first followed by the addition of the supporting artwork, and then putting the finishing touches to their cartoons to be shared with others.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Students learn that there are significant similarities between writing a story and creating their own cartoons. They will look at the elements of a short story and the elements of a cartoon to see the similarities -- character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme -- as they create their own story within their cartoon.
When students look at cartoons, they are actually reading them. Learning to see "the BIG picture" -- what the cartoon is actually is about -- by relying on visual cues along with the words can help students in their reading development by teaching them to look at both the words and pictures together to discern meaning. Creating a cartoon for other students to read will be the culminating activity.
Pictures are important ways to represent in cartoons, but the words the cartoonist uses significantly impacts the effectiveness of the cartoon in achieving its purpose. Students learn how to use literary devices to create humour within their own cartoons -- parody, sarcasm, satire, pun, hyperbole, personification, irony, play on words, analogy, tie-in, idiom, exaggeration, acronym, paradox, juxtaposition, satire, stereotype, symbolism, anachronism, and oxymoron.
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SOCIAL STUDIES
Social studies includes the study of history and geography. By critically analyzing cartoons from the past that contain themes based on history, geography, or both, students will engage with issues to understand lessons from the past and then address those issues by creating a cartoon to creatively share their thoughts.
Social studies includes the study of civics and citizenship. Students will analyze and reflect on issues found in political cartoons to understand lessons from the past to help them become active and well-informed citizens in their communities. Students will draw conclusions as they analyze cartoons, build robust critical-thinking skills, and create a cartoon of their own to address a related topic.
Social studies includes the study of politics, government, and economics. By looking at political cartoons and drawing their own, students will actively engage with issues to understand lessons from the past and make connections with current issues. Students will see how important research, source evaluation, and evidence interpretation is to the enhancement of understanding, drawing conclusions, and building robust critical-thinking skills.
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