Elementary

Artwork by Noemi, grade three.

How can we illustrate a paper airplane to communicate a story or message?

Students will learn to construct and then illustrate a paper airplane to emphasize a message or story.

sketchbooks, color media, pencils, paper to construct a paper airplane

1. Students look at storytelling in various artworks. How do these artworks convey different types of messages? Students then brainstorm how they would like to position a paper airplane in a scene and what kind of story they want to tell.
2. Students construct their own paper airplanes and practice illustrating paper airplane angles in their sketchbooks.
3. Students create thumbnail sketches of their imagined story. They develop three ways to illustrate their paper airplane to convey a message or story. Ask students to consider composition, background, and detail as they determine their airplane’s placement. How can the background or background items help to support the story?
4. Students receive feedback from their peers before transferring their design onto their final paper.
5. Students illustrate their design however they wish. They start in pencil, then select their choice of media. Students are encouraged to experiment with a medium they haven’t tried before.
6. After their designs are complete, students upload images of their designs to the school’s online platform for peers to review and give feedback.

Students write an artist statement that reflects on their process and explains their story.

Leigh Drake is an art teacher at Old Donation School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.