Printmaking

I got the opportunity to teach students about printmaking! First, students learn about the history and 4 main types of printmaking. Then, students learn about Andy Warhol and will see pictures of a few of his works. Students are then instructed to brainstorm different symbols/ideas that they will use on their prints. These symbols should represent what is important to them. A few examples include: a cross, heart, sun, people, fish, pencil, basketball, football, etc.

Students then begin to sketch their symbols onto a Styrofoam plate using a #2 pencil. They need to use enough pressure when sketching onto their plate so that the print shows up. After the sketching is complete, students will paint over their sketch using a roller. Once painted, students flip their plate over and press it onto a 9x11 piece of construction paper. They also use a clean roller to help press down on their print. Once rolled, students lift the plate up and the design they sketched should appear on the piece of construction paper. Students then wash off their Styrofoam plate with water and repeat the painting process using a different color than before. Both prints should be on the same piece of construction paper. After the prints are finished, students are required to describe at least 3 of their symbols on a notecard. The notecard is then glued to the same piece of construction paper.

My printmaking symbols represented the following:

·         Flower = love for summer

·         Pencil = love for teaching

·         People = love for my family

·         Basketball = love for sports

·         Fish = love for fishing

Extension activities: For social studies, students could create a print displaying our state flag. For science, students could create a print showing the different parts of a plant. 

Below is a picture of how all the prints were displayed on a bulletin board: