Course Plan: Creating Story Textiles with Jeannie Baker

Course Overview

This course aims to introduce Year 4 students to the vibrant world of textiles and their role in storytelling. By studying the works of renowned Australian artist Jeannie Baker, students will engage in creative projects that merge visual arts with narrative.

Course Goals

• To explore the use of textiles as a medium for storytelling.
• To develop critical thinking by analyzing narrative aspects in textiles across literature and visual art.
• To encourage personal expression through brainstorming and creating textile-based narratives.
• To complete a textile story panel as a culminating creative project.

Curriculum Alignment

This course aligns with the Victorian Visual Arts Curriculum, specifically focusing on the Textiles and Threads strand, helping students develop a keen appreciation for artistic expression and personal storytelling.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Module 1: Introducing Story Textiles

Lesson 1: Introduction to Textiles in Art

• Goal: Understand what textiles are and their significance in visual arts.
• Activities:
  • Discussion on different types of textiles.
  • Introduction to Jeannie Baker and her textile artwork.
  • Visual presentation showcasing examples of textiles in storytelling.

Lesson 2: Analyzing Textiles as Narratives

• Goal: Analyze narrative elements in textile artwork.
• Activities:
  • Group reading of Jeannie Baker's book "Where the Forest Meets the Sea."
  • Class discussion on visual storytelling elements found in the book.
  • Identification of the storyline and themes present in the artwork.

Module 2: Exploring Personal Narratives

Lesson 3: The Power of Personal Stories

• Goal: Recognize the importance of personal stories in art.
• Activities:
  • Brainstorming session on students' own stories.
  • Sharing personal stories related to places or experiences significant to students.
  • Reflection writing on how these stories can be expressed through textiles.

Lesson 4: Storyboarding Your Textile Panel

• Goal: Plan the narrative for the textile panel.
• Activities:
  • Introduction to storyboarding techniques.
  • Individual storyboarding for textile narrative plans.
  • Pair-sharing to discuss and refine story concepts.

Module 3: Textile Techniques

Lesson 5: Textile Techniques and Materials

• Goal: Introduce various textile techniques and materials.
• Activities:
  • Hands-on demonstration of basic textile techniques (e.g., weaving, sewing, appliqué).
  • Exploration of different fabrics and their textures.
  • Materials selection for personal textile projects.

Lesson 6: Experimenting with Textile Techniques

• Goal: Apply learned textile techniques in practice.
• Activities:
  • Students create sample pieces using chosen techniques.
  • Encourage experimentation with colour, texture, and form.
  • Reflection on how techniques impact storytelling.

Module 4: Creating the Textile Story Panel

Lesson 7: Beginning the Textile Story Panel

• Goal: Start crafting the individual textile story panels.
• Activities:
  • Setting up workspaces and organizing materials.
  • Guided textile assembly based on storyboards.
  • Peer feedback on early stages of artwork.

Lesson 8: Continuing Textile Story Panels

• Goal: Continue developing the textile story panels.
• Activities:
  • Focused work sessions on completing the panels.
  • Encourage sharing of progress and ideas among peers.
  • Group discussions on challenges faced and solutions found.

Lesson 9: Reflection and Presentation

• Goal: Complete textile story panels and present stories.
• Activities:
  • Final touches on textile story panels.
  • Presentation day where students showcase their work and narrate their stories.
  • Class discussion reflecting on the learning experience and artistic expression.

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Assessment and Evaluation

• Participation and Collaboration: Engagement during discussions and group activities.
• Creative Process: Development of storyboards and textile techniques.
• Final Project: Completion and presentation of textile story panels, evaluated on storytelling clarity, use of techniques, and creativity.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the interplay between textiles and narrative, encouraging students to express their own stories through art while aligning with the Victorian Visual Arts Curriculum standards.