Each student writes a one paragraph summary of a chapter of a book and then illustrates their chapter. It can be used for a book the whole class is reading so then all of the summaries are collected and bound together to create a “summary book” of the book read. This activity can be used for both fiction and non-fiction books in any subject and any grade, although this activity is linked to upper primary SOLs. This activity assesses reading comprehension and practices all writing skills. It also includes Art SOLs, and if you have students create their final products on the computer, then you would be incorporating the Computer Technology SOLs as well. If it is used for a non-fiction text in a different content class, then the activity would also cover those SOLs. It can be used for EL classes in middle school also. 

Each of the 5 countries have topics, real life applications/consequences, and 3-4 artists from that country that can be used a "mentor artists" to lead the students to create an artistic response and presentation for students, staff, and environmental representatives In terms of the art - What do the colors, lines, shapes, and techniques of the artists make you feel? Why did the artist/author decide to use these techniques and colors? What if they had chosen a different color combination?What colors make you feel the same way? What techniques will you use to express the same feeling?

Over multiple class periods, students will analyze Egyptian art to identify how it reflects aspects of the culture in which it was created. Students will also compare and contrast contemporary art with ancient Egyptian art.  Students will create self-portraits that are inspired by ancient Egyptian art and then explain how the art of ancient Egypt inspired their self-portraits.