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GRADES 3–5 · Cartoon Design · Construction

Big and Small Features: Plan It in Shapes

Name ____________________ Date __________

WHAT YOU WILL MAKE

Make one labeled shape plan and one drawing built from it. Focus on big and small features.

Shared feature reference for Cartoon Design — Shared feature reference. It may not show this task’s exact pose, accessory, or style. Use the teacher’s matching reference too.

Draw it step by step

Explore proportion changes deliberately.

Divide the practice space in two. In the first half use only large guide shapes; label three useful landmarks.
Draw three identical head outlines.
Change the size of only one feature in each.
Select a design and repeat its proportions.
In the second half rebuild the subject using your plan, then remove guides that no longer help.

Watch out → Try this

Common drawing problem: Random exaggeration in each drawing

Repair: Write down the one proportion you chose.

Check your work: Can you point to three landmarks that helped place the drawing?

Materials: pencil, eraser, paper, and a mirror or teacher-approved reference. Optional black drawing pen; no painting required.

Big and Small Features: Plan It in Shapes · Practice page

Name ____________________ Make light trials first. Divide a box further if your task needs extra versions.

1 · Warm-up: Big and Small Features

2 · First plan

3 · Revise one choice

4 · Independent application

My evidence: Can you point to three landmarks that helped place the drawing?

I changed __________________ because I noticed __________________.

My next practice goal: __________________________________________________

Teach this handout · 30–45 minutes

Prepare: Choose a clear reference showing big and small features. The shared illustration introduces the feature only; supply a matching mirror view or teacher-approved photo when the exact pose, accessory, or hairstyle is not pictured.

Demonstrate: Model draw three identical head outlines. Then deliberately show this drawing problem: random exaggeration in each drawing. Think aloud as you repair it: Write down the one proportion you chose.

5 minutes noticing, 5 demonstrating, 15–25 drawing and revising, 5 sharing. Collect the practice page and a specific explanation of one change. Evaluate the target skill and revision—not attractiveness or speed.

Grade	Support and challenge
3	Use a large feature study and one observed change. Supply page divisions and model the first landmark. Two trials are enough before application.
4	Complete the listed sequence. Compare two versions and label the contour, proportion, or overlap that changed.
5	Use an unfamiliar reference or second viewpoint after mastering the first. Explain which choices should stay consistent when simplifying or exaggerating.

Offer adapted grips, larger spaces, extra time, or a spoken reflection. Use fictional characters for deliberate distortion; do not mock classmates or stereotype identities. Obtain consent before drawing a peer. Proportion guides are comparisons, not rules for all faces.