Our second Wonderlab lesson was all about getting our students exploring with new, fun materials, tools and techniques in their brand new sketchbooks! We wanted to create an opportunity for students to discover the materials provided through their own, unique processes. This produces learning that is genuine, meaningful and enduring. To accomplish this we did not instruct students on WHAT they were making, but on possibilities HOW to make with the given materials. We loosely called these images "collages" which a few students were able to share the definition of with their peers!
The materials we chose to work with were tissue paper squares of various colors, watered down Elmer's glue, paint brushes and markers. Tissue paper is a great material to explore with since it is easily manipulated and can produce many outcomes. Once we had demonstrated the skill of using the paintbrush in the modge-podge glue properly, students were asked to guide the demo. First we glued down a square piece of tissue, then let students pick the second color. The students were prompted to suggest how the tissue could be manipulated or changed before applying it to the page. Ideas like ripping the tissue, crumpling it or layering it were brainstormed all while being demonstrated as the ideas flowed. The students were then asked what other materials could be layered on their collages and we discovered that marker could be added to make our images even more interesting. There were endless possibilities!
During this learning experience students produced an abundance of self-discovered ways to approach tissue paper collage. Some layered colors over one another to create new colors, some ripped the tissue paper and combined it with drawing to create images like dragons or people. Some pushed the material as far as it could go by adding so much glue that the color leeched from the tissue and they were able to paint with it. More than a few students connected the delicate nature of the tissue to that of a flower and chose to create flowers in their sketchbooks. Others saw the ability to build up the tissue into 3-dimensional forms creating bridges or simply crumpling the tissue into little puffs that dotted their pages. It was incredible to see the ideas that formed when students were given the freedom to express themselves while learning a new medium!
The materials we chose to work with were tissue paper squares of various colors, watered down Elmer's glue, paint brushes and markers. Tissue paper is a great material to explore with since it is easily manipulated and can produce many outcomes. Once we had demonstrated the skill of using the paintbrush in the modge-podge glue properly, students were asked to guide the demo. First we glued down a square piece of tissue, then let students pick the second color. The students were prompted to suggest how the tissue could be manipulated or changed before applying it to the page. Ideas like ripping the tissue, crumpling it or layering it were brainstormed all while being demonstrated as the ideas flowed. The students were then asked what other materials could be layered on their collages and we discovered that marker could be added to make our images even more interesting. There were endless possibilities!
During this learning experience students produced an abundance of self-discovered ways to approach tissue paper collage. Some layered colors over one another to create new colors, some ripped the tissue paper and combined it with drawing to create images like dragons or people. Some pushed the material as far as it could go by adding so much glue that the color leeched from the tissue and they were able to paint with it. More than a few students connected the delicate nature of the tissue to that of a flower and chose to create flowers in their sketchbooks. Others saw the ability to build up the tissue into 3-dimensional forms creating bridges or simply crumpling the tissue into little puffs that dotted their pages. It was incredible to see the ideas that formed when students were given the freedom to express themselves while learning a new medium!
Inquiry/Learning Target:
Key Concepts:
Essential Understandings:
Skills:
- The learning target for this class was to introduce the possibility of sketchbooks not being just for sketching, and for learning new skills of tissue paper application and using glue with paint brushes.
Key Concepts:
- Utilizing other materials creates new possibilities for making
- Sketchbooks can be used for more than sketching
- Sketchbooks are a way to contain a collection of art
Essential Understandings:
- Artists and designers use new materials and new skills in their sketchbooks to express themselves and the world around them
Skills:
- Listening to instructions
- Sharing
- Creative problem solving
- Respecting others
- Cleaning materials
- Taking care of materials
- Keeping items separate from each other
- Keeping area clean
- Taking risks
"Did you crumple any of them?" - teacher
"No... but I just did that!" *folding piece of tissue paper and applying to paper* - student This student was prompted to consider the different ways of using tissue paper. They reflected and applied their knowledge of the different ways to use the tissue paper that they experimented with, showing their creative problem solving when approached with a problem of needing to use at least three different techniques of using tissue paper. |
"Can we make a black somehow?" - teacher
"Oh! Maybe if you put all the colors on top of each other?" - student b. "Oh! Let's see if that would make a black!" - teacher "It will" Student A, who then proceeded to experiment with this theory. This was a great example of collaboration to experiment and test the limits of the new material. The students showed intrigue when presented with the problem, and curiosity to resolve it; while Student A seemed certain, they still proceeded to test their theory, showing them pushing their confidence with a risk of being wrong. |
"Look! I made an airplane!" - student, pointing to the upper left pink crumpled paper
"How did you make the airplane?" - teacher "Oh! I just - I just figured it out!" - student This student was testing how the different uses of the paper would affect the possibilities of making, with them layering, folding, and crumpling the papers. They showed the true meaning of praxis - doing informing making - by their discoveries of how the paper responded to their actions. |
"What happens to the visibility of the paper below it if you overlap them? Can you see the color as well?" - teacher
"... !! No!" - student "Is that what happens when you layer all this red?" - teacher "!! Yes! When you layer all the colors, you can't see the colors as well!" - student This student thoughtfully reflected their thinking, showing how they realized the different effects of tissue paper when it was manipulated in different ways, even extending their thinking beyond what the teacher asked. |