"Dem Bones" X-ray Drawing

Submitted by: Jeryl Hollingsworth, LaFrance Elementary in LaFrance, SC
UNIT: Letters of the Alphabet - Interdisciplinary
Lesson: X-rays - the Letter X
Grade Level: Kindergarten

 

Objectives:

SW demonstrate the ability to draw vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, recognize the difference between inside and outside, create a picture of themselves.

 

Materials:

Books on x-rays and skeletons, Life Size Skeleton model from the science lab, white Chalk or Crayons, black Drawing Paper, real x-rays, book Dem Bones, pad of Multicultural Construction Paper for doll cut-outs, Dem Bones by Bob Barner. Publisher: Chronicle Books.

(The song we all used to sing as children about how our bones are put together) The words of this story/song were originally sung as African American spirituals. Today, the text is used to teach children about anatomy, and how the bones are put together in the human body. The bright illustrations are a highlight of this book, and you might even want to get up and dance. After all, the toe bones connected to the foot bone...

 

      
Example of drawing skeleton alone

 

Standards:

(S.C. state standards)

        I. Understanding and applying Media, Techniques, and Processes

B. Use a variety of media, techniques and processes to communicate ideas, experiences and stories through their artworks

        II. Using knowledge of Structures and Functions

Aesthetic Perception/Creative Expression.

B. Use some elements and principles of design to communicate ideas through their artworks

        VI Making Connections between Visual Arts And Other Disciplines

B. Begin to identify connections between the visual arts and content areas across the curriculum

Vocabulary:

Straight lines, diagonal lines, X-ray, inside, outside

 

Alternate:

Them Bones; Ian Dicks and David Hawcock; Delacourte Press - Bantam Doubleday, 1993; ISBN 0-385-31045-5; - An absolutely delightful book that is totally unique. It is a book of the text to the well-known song ("The toe bones connected to the ankle bone," etc.) with each phrase folding out of the book and eventually creating a four foot high skeleton. The music for the song is fully integrated into the text. Unfortunately out of print.

 

Activity:

Teacher will show x-rays, read book about skeletons-talk about x-rays being a photo of the inside of your body, how is that different from a regular photo.

 

TW let students choose cut-out of children that most matches their skin tone (I used a pad of tear off little people in various skin tones-made by Roylco, available in most art catalogs) Students color and draw on the paper to match what they look like and what they are wearing. While they are working, I went around and stapled their person  to a sheet of 9 X 12 (23 x 30.5 cm) black Construction Paper. When the students were close to being finished with the picture of the outside of their bodies...

 

TW demonstrate how to draw skeletons with white chalk or white crayon. (I had them trace around the person with Drawing Pencils first so the skeleton would stay inside the body)

 

Students will make x-ray picture of themselves under the first picture.

 

Note: Template could be made for figure, students trace and cut out - or they could draw their own figure - depending on time. In previous years, Jeryl just had student draw the skeleton. Many drew family and pets - See example.

 

Evaluation:

Student work and teacher observation.- looking for recognizable pictures of students, students able to talk about the different lines being used.

 

Resources:

Bones Exhibit Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Archive)

 

Art Appreciation:

Jose Posada http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/posada_jose_guadalupe.html

Neat Japanese Print - Utagawa Kuniyoshi

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/detail/Detail_kuniyoshi_utagawa.html (maybe too scary for kindergarten)

 

Songs

Bones – by Jennifer Fixman http://www.songsforteaching.com/jennyfixmanedutunes/bones.htm

Dance/Movement Lessons to adapt http://artswork.asu.edu/arts/teachers/lesson/ (Archive)

Songs and Lyrics for Scary Skeleton – FUN animation to show students. Come up with a dance to go with this (just watch the animation and copy some of the moves). http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/kids/songs/skeleton.html

Here the lyrics for "Dry Bones." (Archive)

 

You may not be able to use these lyrics ("Oh Hear the word of the Lord") – but you can work out movement to the tune.