While looking for a new 3-D project for my eighth graders, I came across this lesson plan on the Incredible Art Department... I knew I had PLENTY of cardboard and my students love working in groups (despite my reservations) so I thought we'd give it a shot! Our Frank Stella-inspired relief sculptures turned out a bit differently than planned, BUT the students LOVED this project!
I am proud of their ability to work together and "think outside the box".
Originally, this project was meant to be a bit more abstract, but that was tricky to conceptualize and we were a tad tied to the literal...but that's ok, we have to start somewhere! First, we completed the National Gallery of Art online guessing game (with a worksheet to ensure participation and understanding)
Then students chose an activity and answered some questions about the activity that helped them turn movement, equipment, etc. into shapes and colors. I really wish we had a display case for these!
Does the bowling ball look like 'The Scream' to anyone else?
Below are some 7th grade examples working with value. After tracing 3-5 shapes (so the focus was on the shading) we drew 3 lines from one side of the paper to the other. Next, we chose 2 pairs of oil pastel light/dark color combos. One pair was outside the shapes and one pair was the inside. To incorporate writing skills, we wrote 3-5 sentences about what we VALUE. I like when students can interject a little bit of their identity into a project which is otherwise strictly art-skills based.
Things are winding down now that we're so close to the end of the year...BUT I find that classroom management is as important as ever, I don't have the luxury of letting up or the last couple weeks/days will be a HOT MESS. I want to communicate that in the art room it is business as usual and we are there to learn, EVERY DAY.
