Art Elements Mobiles (Lesson Plan)--131

Using any materials or processes you like, students will make 2-sided shapes that will become a hanging mobile.

Grades: 3 (with wire-cutting help) and Up

Aims: To learn the art elements
           To explore various processes and media
           To venture into the world of kinetic sculpture by making a mobile
           To learn about balance

Materials and Tools:
           You may choose what materials and processes you want your students to use. It could be anything from oil pastels, construction paper crayons, ink, watercolor, paint, collage or mixed media.
Choose the paper you want to use, being mindful that it needs to be able to be laminated (no bulky cardboard pieces!)

           You will also need scissors, glue (if doing collage), fishing line, armature or other soft, bendable wire, wire cutters, pliers, a laminator and laminating film.

Procedure:
           Begin with a discussion of the art elements. (Include the principles of design as well, if you like).
See how many elements you can elicit from your students, rather than telling them. (Line, shape, color, contrast or [light and dark], texture, pattern, volume.)
           Explain that you would like your students to depict each and every art element without words. They need to be two-sided, so as they hang they look good, so there may be some drying time involved.
           When finished, laminate the pieces. Have the students cut around the shapes, leaving at least of an eighth of an inch so nothing unpeels. Punch holes in the top of each shape and tie fishing line on, using a square knot. Make it at least 20" long, as you can always cut it. Cut wire into several lengths (you'll need a longish one for the top piece), and show students how to bend the ends to curl the wire around and make enclosed ends. (Some people might prefer using wooden dowels, instead of wire, which is fine. In that case you need a small saw to cut the lengths of wood to size.)
          Create mobiles by arranging the pieces to balance on the various ends of the wires. You will cut some of the fishing line short to make it work. Each mobile will be different, depending on the size and weight of the shapes. Shapes can be tied to one another to balance the other side. Play with moving the shapes to get the balance you want.

Reflection/Assessment:
           Make sure you try to hang these up if you can. They really energize a ceiling! If you want to create a simple 1-4 rubric, your students will be able to understand what you are looking for (7 different shapes, two-sided, nicely colored, appropriate to the art element, etc.)

Variation:
           You can use the idea of a mobile for science, social students, women's history month, holidays, etc.

Note: To take home, lay down mobile on a large sheet of paper and tape down the fishing line, placing another sheet of paper on top to make an envelope of sorts. Otherwise mobiles will get impossibly tangled!