In this lesson, my students will use their artistic creativity to illustrate a Jataka story. Examples of illustrations from Jataka stories and student discussion will be part of the introduction to this lesson. Students will look for the components that were used to create an effective illustration; color, line, shapes, texture, value, images, symbols, scenarios, flora, fauna, people, buildings, single scenes, or multiple scenes.

A selected story will be read and ideas for illustrations will be discussed. Another story will be read for which the individual student will generate their own images for illustration.

Students will be given a choice of the format in which they will draw their illustration; square, circle, rectangle or triangle.

A variety of materials can be used, colored pencils, crayons, paints, markers or pens.

Lesson Objectives:

Knowledge Students will gain:

• Stories and Fables are a part of many cultures.
• Information about the Himalayan cultures.
• Jatakas are a special way to understand the tenets of Buddhism.
• Illustrators have an important role in creating visual interpretation and communication.
• Illustrating is a career.
• The message of a story can be comprehended, even by someone who cannot read or understand the language, through the illustrations.

What is a Jataka story?

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