Project Overview

As part of a Learning Expedition on insects from Western Massachusetts, 2^nd grade students from the Alice B. Beal School created note cards with detailed drawings and written descriptions of insects. This particular entry shows a 2^nd grade student’s revision process through multiple critique sessions, via student feedback, through six drafts. The drawings were done from viewing photographs and scientific illustrations of grasshoppers.

• Draft one shows a cartoon-like drawing, with a smiling face, standing upright. Students pointed out that Natalie had included the three body parts and the correct number of legs, but that grasshoppers don’t stand upright
• Draft two shows a similar grasshopper with a smiling face, but standing horizontally, as the critique suggested. Student critique then suggested that the face should be in profile, not facing the audience, and that the legs needed a bend
• Draft three shows the face (still smiling) now in profile, and the legs with joints. Student critique suggested stronger, fuller legs
• Draft four shows thicker legs. Students suggested that the form was fairly close, but Natalie needed to look more closely at details
• Draft five takes a great leap in the addition of careful details, showing much more careful observation. Note the change in direction of the grasshopper in this draft. Natalie used a light table to transfer her work from draft four to five when adding this detail, and she reversed the direction in this transfer

Finally, as shown in the actual note card, Natalie incorporates detail, color, form and overall accuracy in her depiction of a grasshopper.