War
By Peter Johnson

Overview
This is an activity that can be used prior to talking about any book or viewing any movie that deals directly or indirectly with war.

Goals
I would like students to gain an understanding of people’s different perceptions of war.

Materials
To do this activity you need sheets of white paper and a pencil of pen. Colored pencils, markers, paints or any other form of coloring can be added to make the assignment more colorful and interesting for students.

Activities
Students separate their paper into two halves and on the top draw their concept of war. After finishing their sketch students trade with a partner and their partner writes a detailed description of what is happening in their partners scene.

Accommodation
Some students have trouble drawing, but making a representation of a word is something that every student should be able to do. I would have a talk with the students about abstract drawing and if students wished to express war abstractly then they could have the chance to do so.

Assessment
In this assignment I’m looking for effort on the part of the artist and the narrator. Grades can be given individually or as a group.

Extension
Students could go beyond just a preliminary sketch to writing a piece of prose or poetry to go with their drawing which they could retain or finish more completely.

Examples of Student Work:
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6