Amy Wyatt
Grade Level: 4th Grade
Time Frame: 3, 45 minute lessons (135 minutes)
PAPIER MACHE ANIMALS SCULPTURES
TOPIC:
A visual arts lesson constructing papier mache sculptures that
emphasize texture, form and color.
RATIONALE:
Constructing a sculpture individually fosters students ability to
create, construct and texturize, while encouraging the ability to
appreciate their finished product. Use of texture, form and color
will help students continue a successful future with the arts.
COMPONENT OBJECTIVES :
Creative Expression : Each student will be able to choose and
construct a unique papier mache sculpture of a farm animal. They
will also be able to paint their sculptures using primary colors,
while mixing them to create other colors as needed. (Color mixing
lesson was previously completed)
Aesthetic Valuing : The students will be able to discuss the
sculptured animals that they constructed and the process that they
used.
STRATEGY:
A combination of Direct Instruction and Guided Discovery will be
used.
VOCABULARY:
Papier mache: material consisting of wastepaper mixed with glue
or paste which can be molded when wet and becomes hard when dry.
Texture: tactile, sense of touch, how it feels; can be actual
texture, or visual texture.
Form: Outward or visible shape; can be two dimensional or three
dimensional.
Color: Hue; Primary and secondary colors. Primary: red, blue,
yellow. Secondary: orange, green, violet.
Squeegee Technique: With two fingers, run the newspaper strip
through them to remove the excess papier mache mixture, (365 TV-
Free Activities You Can do with Your Children, Steve and Ruth
Bennett).
PROCEDURES:
INTRODUCTION: I will read a book about farm animals to motivate
the student's minds in deciding which animal they would like to
construct. In addition, we will brainstorm types of farm animals.
Then I will show the students the beginnings of a basic
construction of an animal sculpture out of empty oatmeal canisters
and toilet paper rolls. I will also demonstrate how to use the
papier mache technique to shape the animals body, emphasizing
texture.
PUPIL ACTIVITY SEQUENCE:
1. Decide what type of animal to construct.
2. Take an oatmeal canister for the body and toilet paper/paper
towel rolls for the legs, head and neck. Cut each leg, and head
to the size you believe it should be.
3. Glue or tape the legs, neck and head together onto the oatmeal
canister, giving you a basic body shape.
4. With strips of newspaper dip them into the papier mache
mixture one at a time. To squeeze off the extra mixture, use the
squeegee technique. Place the strips on to the cardboard pieces
to sculpt the body.
5. Once the sculptor has dried thoroughly, and you are happy
with the outcome, choose which color your animal will be.
6. Primary colors will be provided. If the your animal will
be another color, use the color mixing technique to create it.
Allow for paint to dry.
7. The pieces will be exhibited at the "farm" in the
classroom.
CLOSURE:
When everyone is finished have each student discuss his or her
animal, and how they went about in constructing it, the teacher
will ask questions in relation to the procedures for
clarification. How many layers of papier mache did you use? How
did you make the edges round?
Talk about the historical uses of farming animals for such things
as plowing and cropping. Also, discuss which types of products
are produced on a farm.
EVALUATION:
Evaluation will occur when the students discuss their pieces,
while pointing out the texture, form and color techniques used.
The teacher will visually check each sculpture for the texture,
form and color techniques that were used. Finally, a question and
answer period about the historical importance of farm animals will
be the assessment of the students understanding.
MATERIALS:
-Empty cardboard oatmeal canisters
-Paper towel and toilet paper rolls (begin collecting early)
-Primary paint colors
-Papier mache mixture
In a bowl, combine water and flour until you have a paste that is
thin enough to coat the paper, (Source for mixture: 365 TV-Free
Activities You Can Do With Your Child. Steve and Ruth Bennett).
-Strips of newspaper
-Paint brushes
-Glue
-Yarn (for manes, tails,etc.)
-Scissors
-Masking Tape
CLEAN-UP:
A group of students will pick up paint brushes and wash them out.
A second group will return the paint brushes to their proper
containers. And a third group of students will take the papier
mache trays to the sink. Finished or drying items will be placed
on a table covered with newspaper in the back of the room, so they
will not be disturbed. The materials monitor will collect
scissors, glue, yarn and return them to their proper ares. Left
over paper towel rolls will be returned to the bag at the front of
the room by students who have them.
EXTENSIONS :
The beginning discussion on types of products which are produced
on a farm could tie into a social studies lesson featuring
product importance.