Final Unit of Student Teaching

I am beyond amazed at what these students have accomplished. I taught a unit called Creative Creatures to my Art 1 students for my final project.The central focus for this Unit for students was to be able to learn about different sculpture techniques and artists who use cardboard as their preferred medium. I introduced and discussed contemporary art trends using the reference artist Fredrique Morrel and her Tapestry Taxidermy. Students chose their own animal to re-create a sculpture of that animals head. I showed examples of the art making process of the cardboard armatures and how to reinforce the structure using masking tape and by stuffing gaps with newspaper and adding layers of paper Mache using paper towels to harden the sculpture. Students then thought about what kind of pattern they wanted to paint on the animal bust knowing that it could not be realistic. Students were encouraged to explore creative outlets through 3D modeling and surface design.

This was the visual display I created to help students along the way, so that students who were ready for the next step would already know what to do. The deer head on the left was my example and I chose a Lily Pulitzer pattern surface design. The rhinoceros on the right was my mentor teachers example where she chose to create a paisley pattern. The pictures towards the bottom were example cardboard armatures I found off the internet to help students visualize their structure and form and how it is put together.