Playing with Letters and Numbers

ACTIVITIES THAT PLAY WITH LETTERS AND NUMBERS

"The words I use are everyday words and yet are not the same!"
—Paul Claudel

Robert Indiana isn't the only artist who uses words and numbers in a special way. You can, too.

See if you can use words and numbers to make a "picture" of who you are!

Robert Indiana
The Figure Five

A SIGN FOR YOUR BEDROOM DOOR

1. Get out these supplies:

2. What words and numbers are important in your life?

Fold your notebook paper in half. List special words on one side and special numbers on the other.
For ideas, think about your favorite books, your birthday, your friends' names, and the number of people in your family.
To make your design look more like a sign, use short words and numbers.

3. Plan your sign.

What shape will it be? What colors will you use? Where will the words and numbers go? Will they be different sizes?
You can cross some words and numbers off your list, and you can use other ones over and over again.

4. Choose two or more shapes. You can trace around a plate or other object that has the shape you need, or you can use your ruler to help you.
5. Cut your shapes out and glue them together. You can put one shape on top of another one. They will make interesting spaces for your design. Don't use too much glue!
6. Put the words and numbers on your sign. You can use stencils and markers, or you can cut them out of scraps of colored paper. Follow your plan!
7. Add borders and outlines. Use marker or colored paper strips to make your shapes show up better and to cover pencil tracing lines.

8. Hang your finished sign on your bedroom door!