OLYMPIC PICTOGRAMS

Part of my 3rd grade curriculum includes drawing a figure in action.  I usually combine that with a reminder lesson on shadows and this time I decided to forgo my usual self portrait drawing for something more Olympic themed.

Sport Pictograms are an Olympic tradition.  These pictograms are simply picture icons that identify each sport.  As I told my kiddos, one not need to speak the language of the host country to be able to know what sport a venue holds, like any symbol it should be universal.

I was happy to see that they are using these pictograms on the television broadcasts as well.

Here's how we built our collages:

First I had them use some texture plates and gave them 2 minutes to color their 6x9 white paper with colorful patterns.  I did not tell them what they were for. Then, after our brief discussion on the history and usage of pictograms or glyphs I gave each student a mannequin.

 

Quickly one at a time I flashed the 'official' Sochi pictograms on the board and the student was to manipulate the mannequin into the movement/position of the icon.  Some were easier than others!

 

Next I had them chose one of the sports to redraw on the back of the colored white paper, drawing first in stick figure and then 'beefing up' the body to resemble the Sochi pictograms.  {keeping the head separate was optional}

Once they were satisfied with their drawing, they stapled their white paper to the black 6x9 paper and cut out both shapes at once.

The students were instructed to think about placement on the page to include their shadow and any snow, ice or mountain that might be needed.

Finally the sun - you must have a light source if you have a shadow! - was placed in the sky.

 

      

   

I absolutely love how these turned out.   Use them for any winter sport as well!