Learning the Basics, Overview
In lesson one, the student learns about the Elements of Contour Shape.
Before starting the lessons be sure that you have read all of the pages in the book from the beginning to the end of lesson one.
Setting the Stage
Review Setting the Stage on pges21-24. In Supportive Climate, review pages 32-39. Go over the communication rules with your students. Decide how you will verbally handle student error. The author doesn't want you to use the word, mistake and a few other words (listed on page 34). On page 70, there is a suggestion of how to handle the situation in which the child does not follow directions. On page 66, the author suggests that a child who has trouble drawing the angled line does not have the fine motor skills to do so and she suggests how to handle that.
Handouts
The author suggests hand-outs or copies of some of the pages. See page xxvii to see which copies you should make.
Experimenting with Your Supplies
Page 58-59: This part has suggestions that set a positive setting for the lessons. They contain preventative measures, little things that matter.
Elements of Shape and the Visual Game
Have your copy of page 60 handy and go over the elements of contour shape with your students. If you have enough white boards, your students could practice drawing the elements of shape after you go over each one. If not, use paper. How you teach this is up to you. On pages 64-65 the author describes a visual game to play.
Warm-ups
There are five warm-ups in Lesson One and they are: 1. random warm-ups; 2. duplication warm-ups; 3. matching warm-ups; 4. mirror image warm-ups; and 5. abstract design warm-ups. The warm-ups helps your child become accustomed to drawing the elements of shape and the game mentioned above also helps your child to notice the elements of shape in real items.
The warm-ups are helpful in other ways. The duplication warm-up helps your child learn to copy what he sees and copying accurately is important. The matching warm-up helps a child accurately notice shapes and noticing details is important. The abstract design warm-up is helpful in that your child practices listening and following instructions.
Wow! I Can Draw!
The last part of lesson one in which your child draws recognizable objects using the elements of contour shape that he has been practicing.
Notes and References
Page numbers are based on the book published in 1996.
