By researching field guides and the work of John James Audubon, students will research an assigned bird. Students will create a story about the bird using the Elements of Story, and create their own bird track print from a collagraph stamp they create. Students will then create a triptych to accompany the research and the story with three panels: 1 - wide view with oil pastel, 2 - close-up view using scratchboard, 3 - track view only using monoprint track students created. Students will assemble the work into a display for exhibit. Essential Question Asked: How can we explore characteristics of animals through research, using storytelling, illustration, and printmaking?

Students will recognize the utility of mathematics in art.  They will apply Leonardo Da Vinci’s rules of proportion for the human body and will use these rules to compose self-portraits.  In order to determine the measurements of specific body parts, students will use multiple strategies, such as multiplying whole numbers by fractional parts.  This activity also allows students to make conversions between measurements, connections between linear measurement and fractions, and see the relationship between multiplication of a fraction and division by a whole number.  This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.