England's Queen Elizabeth I

1. Students research the life of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Discover the many paintings done of her--especially her coronation portrait. Choose one of her portraits to recreate in 3-D.
2. Cover the work area with recycled newspaper. For the background of the queen's portrait, paint posterboard with Crayola® Tempera Paint and paintbrushes. Dry.
3. Outline Queen Elizabeth as shown in her portrait on construction paper with Crayola Colored Pencils. Shade in her face and neck with Crayola Multicultural Crayons. With Crayola Fine Line Markers, add her delicate facial features.
4. Draw and color her clothing. If you are making her coronation portrait, color in her robe and place fleur-de-lis, leaves, and roses on the construction paper fabric with Crayola Metallic FX Crayons. With a hole punch, create many punctures in paper to resemble lace. Use this lace, cloth, artificial fur, yarn, jewels, pearls, and red doll hair to give the queen more dimension.
5. Cut out the queen's clothing and face with Crayola Scissors. Attach them to the painted background with Crayola School Glue.
6. Sketch her crown and scepter (or other items in the portrait) on recycled produce trays. Cut them out. Decorate with craft items such as jewels and pearls. Form the orb (ball) with Crayola Model Magic and jewels. Glue these pieces on the portrait. Dry.

LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

LA: Read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grade level complexity band independently and proficiently.

LA: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

LA: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade level topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing one's own clearly.

SS: Recognize how groups and organizations encourage unity and deal with diversity to maintain order and security.

SS: Explore factors that contribute to one's personal identity such as interests, capabilities, and perceptions.

SS: Identify examples of institutions and describe the interactions of people with institutions.

VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of experiences and ideas.

VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of ideas.

Possible classroom resources include: Who Was Queen Elizabeth? by June Eding; The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir; Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England by Diane Stanley & Peter Vennema

Organize students in small groups. Ask student groups to choose a period of Queen Elizabeth I life to illustrate and paint. When complete, sequence the portraits to portray Great Britain's history during the queen's reign.

Students produce a timeline illustrating events that occurred during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Students trace the origins of England's monarchy. Draw a family tree. How did Queen Elizabeth II succeed to the throne of England?

Research historical and current connections between Great Britain, Canada, and other countries around the world who were or are part of the British Empire. Organize research into an electronic presentation for classmates to view.