This lesson plan shows students how to make giant stuffed bird sculptures out of paper.
By Linda Moucha [Linda is an art educator from Barry Community School District, Barry, IL.]
Time: 3-4 class periods (30-40 minutes each)
Concept: Mixed media; Large Scale Soft Sculpture
Art Elements: Color, Shape/Form
Objectives:
After completing this project the student will be acquainted with the following:
- Bright colors attract the viewer’s attention.
- Form is 3 dimensional shape.
- Using a variety of media on an art project is referred to as mixed media.
- Birds shapes may be drawn using a few simple geometric shapes.
- Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork that may be viewed from front, back, sides and sometimes from below and above.
Vocabulary:
Mixed media, Shape, Form, Soft Sculpture
Motivators/Visuals:
- Photos/posters/ idea files of birds
- Library books
- Audubon posters
What You Need:
- Pencils
- 18×24 white newsprint or white drawing paper
- Black Sharpie markers
- Tempera paint
- Brushes/Water buckets OR Brushless Paint Markers
- Glue
- Scissors
- Stapler
- Construction Paper 1″ strips
- Scrap paper
- Feathers
- Sequins
- Yarn
- Buttons
- Misc. Collage materials
What You Do:
- Distribute visuals of birds. After letting the children look at the visuals, discuss the shapes, colors and sizes of birds. What geometric shapes could be put together to form a simple bird shape? What sizes and shapes do birds come in? Discuss the variety of beaks shapes, tails, colors, etc.
- Hand out paper, pencils, and markers. Draw a huge bird that fills this paper. However, do not add legs, feet, or tails at this time. Those will be added later!
- Using the tempera paint, color in the whole bird. Use a variety of colors and patterns. Let the paper dry until the next class.
- Teacher task before the next class period: Using white glue, run a line of glue all around the reverse side of the bird leaving a six inch space at the bird’s belly. (If the birds were first outlined in black marker this task will be easier.) Then attach a second piece of paper. This will create the hollow bird pillow to be stuffed during the next class period.
- Each student will cut out his/her bird, making sure to cut through both pieces of paper as if they were one sheet. Do not throw out these scraps! (If you have extra time, students may paint the unpainted sides of each bird. Let dry.)
- Now, wad up the paper scraps into snowball sized balls and stuff the birds! The teacher can then staple the opening in the belly closed.
- Next, the students will attach tails, legs, and various bird adornments with the strips of paper, feathers, sequins, yarn, etc. The students can fold, curl, and zigzag the paper to create interesting legs and tails. The sky is the limit!
- Paper punch holes in the top of the birds and hang them from the classroom ceilings to welcome Spring!
Student Photos:
Students from the art room at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf created Giant Stuffed Birds! Have a look:
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