Graphical Modelling:1

These notes expand on the suggestions outlined in Unit 5A of the QCA Scheme of Work for ICT.  The work is aimed at Year 5, but is also relevant for older pupils who have not had the opportunity to explore graphical modelling and understand that visual models can be used to identify patterns and relationships.

In the unit children learn how to use an object-based graphics package such as the drawing tools in Microsoft Word and compare it with a paint package such as Dazzle.

It is assumed that pupils are already familiar with a painting package such as Dazzle or Paint.

 
Setting the scene:
Key idea: Children should learn that images can be created by combining and manipulating objects.
1. Start Dazzle and use the tools to draw some shapes on the page.  Demonstrate how a shape can be selected and moved to a new position using the
 selection tool  and ‘Move’ from the Area menu.
2. Move one of the shapes so that it overlaps another and demonstrate what happens if you then select the shape and try to move it again.  You can no longer separate out the original image as the shapes have combined: a section of the picture can be moved, but a circle cannot.
Discuss how this may be useful when producing images, maps, charts and diagrams.
Pupils need to understand the limitations of paint packages for modelling.
 

Short focused tasks:
Technique: to move, rotate and re-size graphic elements

  3. Show the class a copy of 'The Snail' by Matisse.
This can be found on the Internet at http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/WorkImage?id=9022 

Discuss the use of collage and how it allows elements to be moved individually.

 

 

4. Start Microsoft Word and open the Drawing toolbar by clicking on  on the menu bar or 

View - Toolbars - Drawing.

 

 
 

5. The Drawing toolbar will appear at the bottom of your page.

 
6. Demonstrate how geometric shapes can be drawn using the rectangle  and circle  tools and the basic shapes in AutoShapes.

7. Show how the Fill Colour  and Line Colour tools work.

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8. Demonstrate how shapes can be copied   and pasted  using the icons on the standard toolbar at the top of the page.

9. Show how shapes can be re-sized and moved.

Show how they can be rotated using the free rotate button on the Draw toolbar, or flipped using the Rotate or Flip option which is revealed by clicking on the down arrow next to Draw.
10. Demonstrate how shapes can be layered: here a rectangle has been placed on top of a triangle. With the triangle selected, click the right mouse button for a pop up menu.  Select Order, Bring to Front and the triangle will appear on top of the rectangle.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

11. Ask the class to experiment with these techniques to produce a collage of overlapping geometrical shapes.

Work should be saved and printed.

 

 

Next page: more short focused tasks