Create Predictive Pop Art

 Welcome to Predictive Pop Art, where students bring their literature to life with photography and illustrations to blend story content with predictions for the unfolding narrative to come! 

Learning Objective

It has long been a goal of mine to help classroom teachers find ways to utilize both technology and creativity to help students become engaged, active participants in their learning journey. The main goal of this lesson is to inject some creativity into the English/Language Arts classroom, while still nailing the content-specific ELA standards. 

Students will jump at the chance to pull out their iPads, snap photos to represent a scene from their book, then use mark up to  jazz it up with predictions on what’s to come in the next few chapters. 

It’s all about investigating what we’ve already learned and guessing what’s next! What better way to bring literature to life than putting yourself right into a scene!? Students won’t even realize they’re hitting standards like making inferences and drawing conclusions as they create their photo, (RL.5.1) and flexing their writing muscles as they use what they’ve already learned to write text supporting their point of view as to what might come next (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1).

What does success look like? It’s all about students confidently sharing their predictions, backed up by evidence they’ve already gleaned from the book, and getting creative with their visual storytelling. Along the way, they’re leveling up their digital creativity and communication skills, which perfectly ties in the ISTE standards (ISTE Student: Creative Communicator 1.6b, 1.6c, Empowered Learner 1.1d).

The Process

The video above shows a quick overview of the step-by-step process of this project.

Blending ELA concepts with technology and creativity, this activity ensures all students, from bookworms to aspiring actors, can engage comfortably in their learning journey. With iPad tools, teachers eliminate the need for extensive art supplies, fostering creativity in every classroom.

Students begin by choosing how to approach their photos, whether solo, with friends, or focusing on props, fostering inclusivity. They bring characters to life from their favorite books, considering expressions, poses, and props. The project, outlined in the Everyone Can Create project ‘Create Pop Art’, takes just 10-15 minutes, serving as a launchpad for their story predictions.

They spend another 5-10 minutes adding predictions, either through writing or drawing, encouraging collaboration and discussion. This low-stakes, high-reward activity boosts engagement and excitement for future readings. By integrating technology and art, teachers spark a love for literature, fostering a classroom where imagination thrives and students actively participate in their learning as they excitedly read chapters, checking back in on their predictions as they go. Plus, it yields beautifully themed artwork for classroom decoration, both digitally or adorning classroom halls, and promotes student inclusion.

Using the Markup tool, built right into Photos, this process is easy to compete in any classroom.

Reflection

In crafting Predictive Pop Art and other creative classroom endeavors, I've gathered valuable insights and practical tips to enhance these engaging projects.

Here are some tips for success:

1. Prop contributions: Encourage students to bring props related to the characters and scenes from the book they've noted, streamlining the photography process.

2. Simple backgrounds: I often advise students on using simple backgrounds for better contrast, such as posing near a window.

3. Brush size: Emphasize considering brush size when filling spaces, as larger spaces require larger brushes for efficiency.

4. Use time limits: I'm always pleasantly surprised at how time limits can fuel classroom creativity, encouraging students to dive in and spark spontaneous innovative ideas.

5. Make it a checklist: Having students make predictions in checklist format gamifies the reading process and engages all students, especially those less interested in reading.

Reflecting on this experience, I'm thrilled with how this project empowers students to express themselves, take risks, and embrace new challenges. Integrating iPad accessibility tools ensures inclusivity, with options like dictation or AssistiveTouch accommodating diverse needs. Students could also be offered alternative options for completing the task to ensure that each has the opportunity to express their voice and choice, shining as they showcase their talents. 

Assessment for this project can involve a blend of self-assessment, peer feedback, and teacher evaluation, supported by my favorite, a checklist of "must do" and "may do" tasks to guide students while fostering creativity. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and celebrating each student's unique strengths, the classroom becomes a powerful space for learning and growth.

This activity opens the doors to creativity with any book. These examples showcase "Around the World in 80 Days," "Sherlock Holmes" and "The Time Machine."

Lesson Recap

Predictive Pop Art offers an engaging experience for students, spanning from elementary to high school classrooms. As they immerse themselves in photographing scenes and adding predictions, the classroom buzzes with conversation and excitement. Incorporating props and time limits sparks creativity, while aligning with ELA standards ensures a comprehensive learning experience that keeps students eager to delve into each chapter.

This versatile project transcends English Language Arts, and is relevant across a variety of subjects:

- In Science, students could document lab processes or historical events, adding predictions for future outcomes.

- In Social Studies, they could depict historical or current events, speculating on their broader impacts.

To honor students' creativity, their work could be showcased in the classroom, hallway, or digitally for broader visibility. A gallery walk with guided questions fosters discussion and reinforces the value of their creative contributions. By celebrating their efforts, students feel valued and empowered, eagerly anticipating what's to come as the book unfolds.

Learn how to Create Pop Art today >