Unit 4: Surprises: Materials & Forms

Overview: In this exciting art unit, 5th-grade students will embark on a journey of creative discovery, exploring the magic of materials and the endless possibilities they offer for artistic expression. Through hands-on activities, students will experiment with unconventional materials and innovative forms, challenging traditional ideas of art and unleashing their imagination. This unit will foster resourcefulness, experimentation, and a sense of wonder as students create unexpected and captivating artworks.

Key Concepts:

• Artistic Materials: Students will broaden their understanding of art materials beyond the conventional, discovering how everyday objects can be transformed into remarkable art forms.

• Innovative Forms: Students will explore diverse forms, such as assemblage, sculpture, and mixed media, and learn how these forms can bring new dimensions to their creative work.

• Creative Problem-Solving: Students will engage in activities that require them to think outside the box, finding innovative solutions to create art with unique materials and forms.

Activities:

• Found Object Art: Students will gather and repurpose everyday objects (such as bottle caps, newspapers, fabric scraps) to create mixed media artworks, embracing the unexpected beauty of these materials.

• Sculpture Exploration: Students will experiment with different sculptural techniques, creating three-dimensional artworks that explore form, balance, and texture.

• Material Mash-Up: Students will combine various materials (e.g., paper, clay, fabric) in unexpected ways to create collages or sculptures that blend textures and forms.

• Surprise Boxes: Students will create "surprise boxes" containing a mix of art materials and challenge themselves or their peers to create an artwork using the contents.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit, students will:

• Expand their artistic horizons by exploring unconventional materials and forms.

• Develop creative problem-solving skills as they work with unexpected materials.

• Enhance their ability to think creatively and innovate in their art projects.

• Learn to appreciate the beauty in everyday objects and materials.

• Cultivate a sense of curiosity and a willingness to explore new artistic possibilities.

Get ready to unleash your creativity and be amazed by the unexpected! Unit 4: Surprises: Materials & Forms will encourage students to view art in a whole new light, embracing the joy of experimentation and the limitless potential of materials and forms in the artistic process.