Part of Lesson Plan: Basic Element of Texture

Activity Overview / Details

As each student enters the classroom ask them feel the contents of multiple opaque containers you have positioned on a table using one hand only. Label each container A, B, C or 1, 2, 3 and so on. When each student has finished  examining containers, hand them a piece of paper on the way to their seats and ask them to make a list of the contents for each container labeling the list as "FEEL". When everyone is finished with their list, ask the class what they think is in each container and  make a list on the classroom board. Turn off the classroom lights and turn on a single light source placed to the side of a cleared flat surface big enough to hold the largest of items (a large flashlight works well as a light source). One by one, remove each object from its container and place it on the flat surface in the light revealing its identity. Slowly move the light over the object pausing to ask at what point the lighting best reveals the way it felt to them. Examples of lighting position would be: side, directly overhead, in front of the object, and from behind. Students then record their choice of lighting for each item under the heading of "Visual". Which light direction best illuminated the TEXTURE of each item? Side light works the best. Why? Because side lit surfaces cast shadows and shadow is essential in order for our eyes to "visually feel" an object.

Suggestion of items to use in this exercise: animal fur, fake fur, a stuffed animal, a piece of wood with rough bark, a brick, vegetables are a great resource for surface textures, go to the dollar store for ideas.