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Signature Creatures

What's your signature style? Create a character using your signature or initials and make a name for yourself.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Introduce students to the artistry of Mo Willems. He is a writer, children's book author, illustrator, voice actor, animator, and television show creator. A signature character in his books is "The Pigeon," who helps guide children as they navigate life. Have students begin to think about creating a story that could impart a life lesson in a fun way.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to use the letters in their name or signature to create their personal character. Have them fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise and write their name or initials in large cursive letters. Then have them paint over the handwriting, and immediately refold and press the paper while the paint is wet, to create a mirror image.

  • Step 3

    When the paint is dry have students use markers to embellish the shapes and create a character using their name or initials.

  • Step 4

    Ask students to write a story about their character and read it to the class.

Standards

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.

LA: Write, using words, numbers, and images to inform and explain, share experiences, and create narratives, either fictional or non-fictional.

Adaptations

Have students visit a younger grade classroom and read a book by Mo Willems to the class.

The word "signature" can be used to describe the name you sign on a document, but it can also refer to your signature style, which can describe how you dress, the art you make, or something else. Ask students to think about something that illustrates who they are.