Life Doesn’t Frighten Me
A Maya Angelou and Jean-Michel Basquiat mash-up? Yes, please! When I found this book in the library several years ago, I could not believe my luck. Two of my favorite artists brought together in a beautifully edited children’s book! I immediately bought myself a copy and created a lesson that has become one of my favorites for Pre-K and early elementary-aged students.
First, we start with a book reading. Then, an (always) amazing conversation ensues about our fears, big and small: what we do with them, how they feel in our bodies, and the tricks we use to manage our way through them with courage.
Finally, we make dragons- big dragons, bold dragons, dragons that shout our courage from the rooftops (or under our bed- depending on where the monster is hiding). Inspired by the graffiti style of Jean-Michel Basquiat, artists layer and scrape their artwork in a minimalistic color palette of red, black, and yellow to create artwork that is both powerful and meaningful to each artist.
Wonderful in its simplicity and profound in its reach, this lesson is a winner, every time. Oh, and kids really love making dragons!
