← BACK TO TEACHER LESSONGrade 4 · Cartooning · Pencil, eraser, and optional black drawing pen on paper

MODERN ART LESSONS · STUDENT WORKSHEET

Map Owl: Faces with Feelings

Make an expression sheet featuring an owl with an upside-down map. The character wants to find a treehouse, but follows the map in the wrong direction. One possible ending: it turns the map around and recognizes the tree. Invent a different kind ending if you prefer.

Character reference shared across ten skill lessons—not a picture of the completed assignment. Study the example for possibilities, then close or cover it. Your work should make different choices.

Story starter and example

The character wants to find a treehouse, but follows the map in the wrong direction. One possible ending: it turns the map around and recognizes the tree. Invent a different kind ending if you prefer. Face 1 shows hopeful anticipation; face 2 shows surprise or frustration; face 3 shows relief. The eyes and mouth change while the head stays recognizable.

What to do

  1. Your finished project is an expression sheet featuring an owl with an upside-down map. Read the story seed: The character wants to find a treehouse, but follows the map in the wrong direction. One possible ending: it turns the map around and recognizes the tree. Invent a different kind ending if you prefer.
  2. Start with large eye circles, short wings, and folded map. These are helpful shapes, not a tracing template.
  3. Draw the same head shape three times before adding facial features.
  4. Show the feeling before the problem, during it, and after the solution. Change eyebrows, eyes, and mouth deliberately.
  5. Keep the head shape and identifying features consistent. Add a short feeling label only after a partner guesses.
  6. Cover feeling labels and ask a partner to name each emotion. Revise one unclear face. Compare two arrangements and revise one unclear visual clue after peer feedback.
01

My project: an expression sheet featuring an owl with an upside-down map. My chosen ending is…

02

Draw the same head three times.

03

Show BEFORE / PROBLEM / SOLUTION feelings.

04

Partner guesses… One feature I changed…

05

Story clue: How will I show that the character follows the map in the wrong direction?

06

Before feedback, I wanted the reader to notice… The reader actually noticed…

07

Revision: I changed… because…

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