Lesson Plan
Morgan Hughes
Sculpture
Grade 6
Big Idea: Artists learn and appreciate the natural geological formations of earth and use these influences to create an appealing work of art
DAY 1
Aim: To introduce the elements of art and influences of nature in the sculptures of Tara Donovan
Objectives
Problem solve by utilizing everyday objects to create an organic structure
Collaborate in groups on descriptions of mountains and plateaus
Learn about and appreciate various landscapes around the world with a focus on Giants Causeway.
Understand the differences between mountains and plateaus
Learn and appreciate sculptures by contemporary artist Tara Donovan
Vocabulary/Key Words
Everyday Objects, Organic, Asymmetrical, Symmetrical, Patterns, Landscape, Mountains, Plateaus, Monochromatic, Variation, Repetition and Tara Donovan
Materials
Power Point, journals, pencils
Motivation
Do Now: Table groups: What is a Mountain? Describe
What is the difference between a plateau and a mountain? Describe
Discuss answers and write/draw in journal
Show Examples of mountains/landscapes/plateaus: Badlands and Mt. Kinabalu
What is a mountain/plateau?
How are these structures shaped or formed?
Sketch in journals Badlands and My Kinabalu
Compare Contrast Form and shape of mountains shown
Show examples of Giants Causeway:
How do you suppose this landscape was created?
Explain mythical story behind the Giants Causeway
What shapes are the rocks in?
How are the rocks arranged? Variation-staggered
Show images of Tara Donovan Sculptures
What kind of forms or shapes are her sculptures in?
How are they similar to the landscapes we just looked at?
What types of material does she use to create her landscape sculptures?
Why does she use these particular materials?
How does she arrange these pieces?
In groups: What everyday object could you use to make a natural or organic form?
Show anticipation of project: straw example and explain
Assessment and Evaluation
-Make sure groups are following directions and writing answers in journals
-Walk around room holding up examples of sketches while comparing and contrasting -Teacher will hold up works that are influenced by the examples given in class and ask questions
-Make sure all directions are being followed and cutting and adhering straws are done correctly
NYC Strands of Arts Learning:
I. Arts Making : student sketch in journals various land forms discussed in class
II. Literacy in the Visual Arts: Writing and recording information given in class
III. Making Connections: Connecting Science: Discuss and show various Natural geological formations in nature from around the world and how this is related to the artist Tara Donovan’s Everyday object sculptures.
V. Careers and Lifelong learning in the Visual Arts: Discuss and show the contemporary artist Tara Donovan’s sculptures and how she has had made of living making art.
DAY 2
Big Idea: Artists learn and appreciate the natural geological formations of earth and use these influences to create an appealing work of art
Am: To experiment with and create a sculpture utilizing straws
Vocabulary/Key Words
Everyday Objects, Organic, Asymmetrical, Symmetrical, Patterns, Landscape, Mountains, Plateaus, Monochromatic, Variation, Repetition and Tara Donovan
Additional words: Movement, Balance, and Unity
Materials
Journals, pencils, plastic straws, model magic, scissors, and cardboard
Objectives
Problem solve by utilizing everyday objects such as straws to create an organic structure influenced by natural land formations
Review and appreciate sculptures by contemporary artist Tara Donovan
Utilize Tara Dononvan’s Bluffs to discuss Unity, Movement, and Balance
Collaborate in table groups to problem solve definitions of key words
Apply basic cutting and adhering skills to create a sculpture
Understand importance of respecting art materials
Motivation
Do Now: In groups and in journals (Display Bluffs on PowerPoint)
1. How is Unity used in the sculpture, Bluffs?
2. What is Asymmetrical about Tara Donovan’s sculpture?
3. How does the sculpture show Movement?
4. Describe the Form of Donovan’s Sculpture?
Presentation of Content
Demonstrate and explain:
Show example of straw sculpture
Cut cardboard into an organic shape with scissors
Place matte board down on table
Flatten model magic onto surface of board
Cut a straw with scissors
Place straw vertically standing into model magic
Repeat steps and place straws close to one another
Create an incline by cutting straws longer and placing them next to one another
Create decline by cutting straws shorter and placing them next to one another
Create jagged landscape by staggering tall and short straws
Assessment and Evaluation
-Make sure all students are writing in journals and recording information correctly
-Group discussions of question for each table
-Walk around room during group discussion making certain students are on topic
-Guide and help students decide what landscape they would like to create
-Walk around room holding up examples of work that shows various structured landscape decisions
-Teacher will hold up works that are influenced by the examples given in class and ask questions
-Teacher will make sure all directions are being followed and cutting and adhering straws are done correctly
Summative:
-Ask questions at end and review keywords: Unity, Movement and Balance
NYC Strands of Arts Learning:
I. Arts Making: Cutting cardboard to use a base while using model magic to adhere straws to base to create the sculpture
II. Literacy in the Visual Arts: Learning, discussing and writing about Principles of Design such as Unity, Balance and Movement along with other key terms such as asymmetrical, form, color and pattern
III. Making Connections: Reviewing and discussing the geological landscapes in nature and mimicking landforms found in nature through individual creations of sculptures. Reinventing the use of everyday objects and consumer products to create Art.
V. Careers and Lifelong learning in the Visual Arts: Utilizing the established contemporary artist, Tara Donovan’s sculptures, to demonstrate how professional artists make a career out of displaying and making art through their own creative perspective.