Lesson Plan: Using your gifts and talents: Each person has their own set of skills and talents that they learn as they grow. It is important to use these to the best of your abilities and not waste the talent you have like the hunter did. In this story, the hunter was lazy and cheated on their traditions by not using his own strength and skill to provide for himself.
Your Destination: While you may not think your talent is art, there are many things that make each person unique. In this project, you will be creating a self-portrait. You may use any materials you want because they should represent you and your talents. This lesson gives a simple step-by-step you can follow, but you should use your own creativity as well!
Travel Kit: White paper, pencil, markers/crayons/string/paint/glitter/stickers
On the Path
Step 1: Think about what kind of portrait you want to make. Think of the different art styles (abstract, pop art, realism, pointillism, etc.).
Step 2: Start by drawing a large U on the page. The bottom of the U will be the chin, so make sure it is closer to the bottom of the page and it is big enough to fill in your features
Step 3: Next, draw your ears. These should be towards the top of the U. Are you wearing earrings?
Step 4: Now you can draw your neck and shoulders. What are you wearing or what do you like to wear? Any necklaces or scarves?
Step 5: Add your hair. Is it wavy, straight, short, or brown? Do you have hats or headphones on? Connect your hair to the top of the U to finish your head.
Step 6: Now you can add your facial features. Drew your nose in the center. The top of the nose should line up with the top of the ears.
Step 7: Draw your eyes. The inner corner can touch the top 2 lines of the nose. Fill in the eyelids and iris (colored part of your eye)
Step 8: Draw a little line from the bottom center of the nose down. You can start your mouth here.
Step 9: Now you can add details like cheekbones, eyelashes, or a beard. You can make your face shape different and erase the original U.
Step 10: Make sure you color it in! If it is abstract, look at the shapes and color each one differently. You can paint or cut out scrap paper to fill in the spaces
Learn New Vocabulary: Thief, cheat, dishonor, vicinity, prey
Discussion Questions: Why did the hunter feel like he needed to cheat to get ahead? What should the hunter have done instead of stealing the cubs? Who was hurt by the hunter’s actions?
Find Resources and Visual Aids:
https://anikefoundation.org/african-folktales/the-cheetah-and-the-lazy-hunter
https://artprojectsforkids.org/how-to-an-abstract-self-portrait/
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