CANADIAN ANIMAL EMOJI – Chinese Artist Yue Minjun, Expression

Students create 6 emoji of a Canadian animal they have researched. They scan and save them as .jpgs and then use them in text messages that show the emotion each emoji expresses.

Supplies:

Crayola Twistables Coloured Pencils - 24 Count
Crayola Fine Line Markers - 12 Count
Crayola Pointed Tip Metal Scissors
Crayola Marker & Watercolour Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12")
Pencils
Erasers

Steps:

Use the Canadian animal you researched.
Make 4 thumbnail sketches of possible designs for your emoji.
Draw a good copy of the face you want to use in a small square about 8 cm x 8 cm.
Cut out the square.

Fold the square in half along the vertical line of symmetry of the face.
Cut out the shape making sure you cut away from the fold.
Open the shape and use it as a tracer.

Draw 6 faces on your paper.
Draw 3 to a row and space them evenly across the page.

Use a black, fine line marker to draw the features on the tracer that will be the same on every face, for example, the nose.

Place the tracer under the drawing paper and line it up with a face.
Trace the features in the same spot on every face.

Draw a different expression on each face of this rough copy.
Trace around the finished drawings with a black fine line marker.

Place your good paper on top of the rough copy.
Use a pencil to carefully trace each face.

Use coloured pencils to colour each emoji.
Blend colours and create contrast so the details stand out.

Scan each emoji and save it as a .jpg.
Pretend the animal is you. Write 6 different text messages that show what the emoji means, for example,
- There are so many twigs in the lake at this time of year. I can eat my fill. Did you know that the Algonquian First Nation always called us ‘mus’ because it means twig-eater? I think it’s the perfect name.
- I had a run-in with some tourists today. Had to chase them away from my calf. Who do they think they are?
- I’m sooo tired. Had to get away from a bunch of hunters who were after me. Need to rest.
- I just saw the most handsome bull! Oh I’m so in love!
- I was playing all day with my sweet little calf. So much fun!
- Oh that bull moose has found someone else. How could he?
Insert the emoji .jpg into the text.