Visual puns- unusual bird names

I love this lesson. I usually leave this as a sub lesson to start, and I finish it the following two days.  \

Here is basically what I leave for the sub:

 Visual puns: Bird Names 

Intro for you:  This is a visual pun lesson.  This means they are making a play on words, involving a bird name I found that could be used as a pun.  Please put the two examples from the sub folder on the front board.

Materials: 
Drawing paper (back counter)

Bird Handout in Sub Folder

Possibly colored pencils (also on black shelf, set a bin with 3 colored pencil sets on each table.) and fine line marker sets.

Students might not even know what a pun is, so this definition will be part of their lesson.

Each student needs a sheet of drawing paper, usually in the back of the room.  On the back of the paper in upper corner have students write their first name, last name, class hour, and the date.  Flip it over.

Start talking about puns.  Ask if anyone knows what a pun is.  Write this definition on the board and have the students copy the definition in the back of their sketchbook where we have an “art Class Dictionary.”

PUN:  a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploring multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous effect. 

Example of puns to read aloud:

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. 

2. I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.

3. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now. 

4.   I couldn't quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.

5. I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it.

 

Say This:

“Today we are going to do this kind of word play, but the result will be visual. We are going to start with unusual bird names, and make some transformation based on its unusual name.  Here on the board for example is a bird called the “Hammerkop”.  What changes have been made to the picture of the hawk to make it reflect this unusual name?  ( Look for answers from students like it has a hammer for a head, it has police uniform, badge, siren, cuffs, baton, etc.) 

You can also show the Powerpoint presentation: surreal bird book unusual bird… that is saved to the small laptop desktop.  This is the laptop that runs the smartboard.  This is a great illustration of what we are trying to do.  These are images from a book called  The Ice Cream Cone Coot.  They should have a good idea of what the end product may look like after these examples.

The process is as follows: 

1. Pick a bird name.  Write it on the back under your name.  Start writing  under your name and information, a list of possible things to go with this unusual name.  For example, a Christmas Frigate bird would have a list including christmas trees, stockings, presents, santa, and a frigate (which is a type of sailing boat). 

2.  Pick a bird from the bird packet that fits the bird and draw LARGE on the front of your paper.  I will make you start over if the bird is not drawn large.

3.  Start changing the original drawing to have some of the features you listed on the back.

4. Finish with color.

 Pass out the bird name lists, drawing packets, and have students follow your directions. 

At the last 2-3 minutes of class, have students stack up their materials, lists in one pile, drawing books in another, and drawings in another.  Collect by table, storing the drawings in the rack behind my desk.   

Some Resources and student work.

Google Docs presentaton-Ice Cream Cone Coot