ENDANGERED POLLINATORS – Tunnel Book, Activist Art

Students create a tunnel book that is intended to persuade people to take action about endangered pollinators based on information they have learned through their own research.

Supplies:

Crayola Watercolour Paints
Crayola Paint Brushes
Crayola Coloured Pencils
Crayola Washable Glue Sticks
Crayola Sketchbooks
Crayola Scissors
Rulers
Pencils

Steps:

Summarize your research about endangered pollinators.
Decide on what message you want to communicate.
Brainstorm ideas in your sketchbook.
Make 4 thumbnail sketches of different ways to communicate your message.
Choose the idea you like the best.

Make a plan drawing the same size as your finished tunnel book.
Divide it into 3 sections – the foreground, middle plus background, and sky.
Trace each section onto a piece of cardstock paper.

Colour each section with watercolours and/or coloured pencils.
Cut out sections 1 and 2 - the foreground and middle plus background.
Place the sections in order to see how they line up.
Add more details and contrast to add emphasis to important areas.

Measure and cut out 2 pieces of cardstock paper 14 cm x 14 cm.
Measure intervals 2 cm, 6 cm and 10 cm from the left side of the paper.
Draw lines parallel to the left side of the paper at each interval.
Turn the paper over.
Place it face down with the 2 cm line on the left.
Measure intervals 4 cm, 8 cm and 12 cm from the left side of the paper.
Draw lines parallel to the left side of the paper at each interval.
Repeat for the 2nd piece of paper.

Use the tip of a scissors to lightly score along the lines on both sides of the paper.
Accordion fold the paper on the scored lines.

Glue the accordion folded paper to each side of the Section 3 paper – the sky.

Glue each layer to the folds on the sides.
Use a 14 cm x 21.5 cm piece of cardstock paper to cut out a 2 cm frame.

Colour the folds to match the rest of the scene.
Colour the frame and glue it to the folds at the side.
View your tunnel book with fresh eyes.
- Does it have a sense of depth?
- Does it show technical accomplishment? How?
- Does it communicate your intended message? How?
- What do you like best about your book?