Print Making

For this lesson, we were taught the art of print making. Each student was given a thin rectangle piece of styrofoam to make train cars. We were instructed to carve shapes or letters into our styrofoam covering at least 3/4 of the shape. Then, we rolled a very thin layer of paint over our foam and stamped it on a piece of construction paper. I chose to use red paint on yellow construction paper. Each train car is filled with coal because coal is transported through South Dakota. My train tracks go through a South Dakota corn field.

An extension activity that could be used with this lesson could be to have the class write a story using the same printmaking technique to illustrate the pages. Students could be put into small groups and present their stories to the class. This activity would incorporate creative writing and teamwork.