This is the best job ever

I have been up to my ears in lesson planning lately, plus I am recovering from yet another "first year teacher" bug (apparently paintbrushes are germ-pushers like you wouldn't believe!), so this blog thing has suffered pretty badly. I'm here to redeem myself a little and to prove that I do indeed work hard for your property tax money!

Claes Oldenburg....Larger than life

(Intro to 3D)

• This lesson begins with an interactive power point about Claes Oldenburg. The students look at some examples and discuss it collaberatively. I facilitate the discussion, provoking art criticism questions (Observe, Analyze, Judge). Here is just an example of his work. Check out more here.

• Following the power point, the students are alloted some time to develop an idea and sketch for a papier mache (yes it is spelled that way....ask the french, not me) sculpture. They are instructed to choose an object that they use daily and is usually not considered a piece of art.
• The first step in papier mache sculpture is to construct your object out of a variety of media. We used wire, butcher paper (scrap paper), cardboard, and masking tape. Don't worry about how it looks on the surface, since that will be covered later. This is a good lesson for skeleton structuring and proportion. An easy object for beginners is a bag of candy. You simply cut two large pieces of paper in the shape of a rectangle, tape 3 sides together, stuff it full with crumpled newspaper (or whatever else is on hand), and tape the 4th side shut.
• After it has been constructed, you cover it with white paper dipped in papier mache glue. This can be homemade or bought. I bought it pretty cheaply from Blick Art, and only ended up using 2 boxes (for 20 students). You don't have to use white paper, but it is easier to paint over. You can use scrap paper, but the computer ink has a tendency to smear when rubbed with the paste. You will need approximately 3 layers, and be sure to smooth it out when applying it. Any wrinkles or folds will dry that way and create inconsistencies that can't be fixed later.
• Allow an hour or two to dry, and then paint to look realistic. You can use tempera or acrylic paint for this. Tempera is washable (good for little tots), but looks chalky when dry and chips more easily. Acrylic looks brighter and shinier, but does not come out of clothing (and is a little more expensive). I usually add a little water to dilute it and make it last longer.

These are some of my students' finished projects. I put a bottle of elmer's glue next to them so you could see the scale. From left to right is a high heel shoe (bad angle of it), large pink eraser (he has since painted "pink pearl" on it), pencil, and sunglasses (the side pieces are folded behind). I'll try to remember to post some more pictures as they finish.