Category Archives: Lesson Plans
Fiber Coiled Baskets
Basket-making is something that many, many cultures in the world do! We linked our baskets to a study of the art of Africa. While working on their projects, students listened to African folktales on CD. Their favorite stories were those … Continue reading
Quilted Pillow Tops
As part of a unit on Colonial Arts and Crafts, middle school students learned about quilting. They had the opportunity to see a variety of quilt patterns, and they learned many of the pattern names. They designed their own geometric … Continue reading
Colonial Printmaking
Printmaking–in terms of printing for newspapers and flyers–was introduced as another Colonial activity, and students had the opportunity to look at old print type–the kind that was originally set by hand in large plates to create advertisements and newspapers. They … Continue reading
Crochet and Cross-Stitch
In keeping with the Colonial Arts theme, students had the opportunity to learn how to crochet, while others chose to design and make a small counted cross stitch project.
Shopkeeper Signs
Students learned about the crafts and trades during Colonial times, and they created “signs” that might have hung outside of places of business in the 1700s. They were asked to include a picture of their service or type of business … Continue reading
Imaginative Silhouettes
After students had become familiar with self-portrait and figure silhouettes–and to continue to develop their skills with contour drawing–they looked around the room to find objects that had interesting shapes. Pliers, tape dispensers, paint pump dispensers, bolts, and blenders were … Continue reading
Figure Silhouettes
Students did contour drawings of each other in a variety of “action” poses. Students modeled for approximately 1-2 minutes as their classmates drew them, and everyone wanted a turn to model! Each figure drawing was at least 3″ tall, and … Continue reading
Self-Portrait Silhouettes
Digital photos were taken of each student in profile. The pictures were sized to 4″ x 5″ and printed. Students drew a 1/2 inch grid directly on the picture. They drew a 1-inch grid on a separate piece of paper, … Continue reading
Plaster Gauze Masks
Plaster gauze mask-making was a project I offered every couple of years for many, many years as an art teacher. These were always SO much fun, and every time I was delighted with my students’ creativity, humor, problem-solving ability, insights, … Continue reading