Meet Christian Robinson Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will sequence how illustrator Christian Robinson tells a story with pictures.

 

Literacy Focus:

author/illustrator study

 

CCSS:

SL.1.2 Discuss a video; L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases; RI.1.1 Key details; L.1.6 Vocabulary; L.1.A Capital letters; RI.1.10 Read and discuss first-grade texts, W.1.1 Opinion writing

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  • Watch our video All Kinds of Books. Afterward, ask, “Who tells the story, the author or the illustrator?” Many children may think that only the person who writes the words tells the story. But pictures tell stories too!
  • Now tell children that they will see how one illustrator tells stories through pictures. (SKILL: SL.1.2 Discuss a video)
  • Play the vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are illustrator, imagination, art supplies, sketches, and final draft. (SKILL: L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases)
  • Read the issue together. 
  • Don’t miss the page 4 activity, Find It in Christian’s Studio. He created it just for us!
  • Then project and discuss the reading checkpoint skill sheet. Later, children can fill in their own copies. (SKILL: RI.1.1 Key details)

Children can practice looking for books in a virtual library with our game Library Search and Find. (SKILL: L.1.6 Vocabulary)

  • Kids reveal a “secret message” when they correct the capitalization errors on this skill sheet. (SKILL: L.1.A Capital letters)
  • Christian wrote a book called You Matter. With this skill sheet, children write all the reasons they matter! (SKILL: W.1.1 Opinion writing)
Example of a completed illustration

Objective: Children will create their own artwork using Christian Robinson’s techniques.

Materials: construction paper, scissors, glue, and paint (optional: newspapers and magazines)

  • Explain that Christian makes his pictures using both paint and shapes cut from colored paper. Sometimes he even uses pieces from newspapers and magazines.
  • If you like, let kids explore some of his illustrations—but make sure children know that their finished artwork will be all their own.
  • Set out the materials above, and give each child a plain sheet of construction paper. Let children explore Christian’s techniques freely. Abstract designs are fi ne—it’s all about the process!
  • Finally, display children’s work and let volunteers describe how they created their art. (SKILLS: Fine-motor skills, art techniques)