Abstract Paper Sculpture

Teacher: Heather Dziato

Subject: Sculpture
Title of Lesson: Abstract Paper Sculpture

Date: 4/15/15
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Length: 43 min

Overview of the Lesson

Lesson Summary:
The students will us a poem to inspire expressive lines and shapes with paper.
Common Core Standards:
9-10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7
Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including
what is emphasized or absent in each treatment
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when
indicated or appropriate.
11-12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.7 Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g.,
recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version
interprets the source text
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when
indicated or appropriate.
Massachusetts Framework Standards:
1.9 Demonstrate the ability to create 2D and 3D works that show knowledge of unique
characteristics of particular media, materials, and tools
2.15 Create artwork that demonstrates understanding of the elements and principles of design in
establishing a point of view, a sense of space, or a mood
3.9 Create 2D and 3D artwork that explores the abstraction of ideas and representations
10.3 Continue the above and apply knowledge of cultural institutions to learning in the arts and
other disciplines (ELA)
Lesson Objectives:
All students will be able to interpret the mood or tone of a poem and begin designing an abstract
form out of paper that reflects their interpretation using color and line.
Most students will be able to interpret the mood or tone of a poem and begin designing an abstract
form out of paper that reflects their interpretation using color, line, texture, and space.
Some students will be able to interpret the mood and tone of a poem and begin designing an
abstract form out of paper that reflects their interpretations using color, line, texture, and space.

Abstract Paper Sculpture

Language Objectives:
Students will be able to orally describe the emotions that they feel when listening to a poetry
video.
Students will be able to read a poem and comprehend the meaning.
Materials/Equipment to be Used in Teaching the Lesson:
Paper, glue, tape, poems, video on Smart Board
Enduring Understandings:
Big Ideas:
o The students will understand that both abstract art and poetry are used to
make the viewer feel emotion.
Concepts:
o Poetry
o Abstract
Essential Questions:
Why would we use literature in our art?
How can paper express emotion?
Content
Factual Content:
The students will learn how to create different types of paper folds that may be used to
express a feeling.
Vocabulary:
Line, color, space, texture, form, abstract, emotion (Vocabulary pre-taught in previous
lessons/up on board)
Tier 1:
Line, color
Tier 2:
Emotion, texture, form, space
Tier 3:
Abstract
Critical Thinking Skills (Reading, Writing, Speech, Listening)
The students will interpret a poem to find its mood and use it to inspire an abstract form.

Assessments (Performance Tasks/Tests/Quizzes Formative/Summative, Informal/Formal)

Formal Assessments:
Students will interpret a mood from a poem and create a 3- dimensional form representing it using
paper.

Abstract Paper Sculpture

Informal Assessments:
The students will discuss the different ways to express emotion visually.

Action/Instructional Procedures
Procedures: For each procedure, list the teacher or student actions (with accommodations and
modifications) as well as the anticipated amount of time it will take to accomplish each task.

Anticipatory Set: (hook) (5 min)

o Students take out journals
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAx845QaOck
Watch video on Smart Board (SLAM poetry)
Write reaction in journals while watching

Step One: (5 min)

o What did that video make you feel? (Mood)
o What do you think the poet was feeling? (Tone)
o What did the poet use to show he was feeling this way or make you feel that way?
How does this relate to abstract art?
Review what abstract art is : Art that does not attempt to represent
external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms,
colors, and textures
It represents a feeling or emotion
Step Two: (5 min)
o If we use words to express emotion in poetry, what do we use to express emotion
in sculpture?
o How did you express emotion with paper folding yesterday? (Show examples)
Line
Color
Texture
Space

Step Three: (3 min)

o Pass out poems
(Poems will be at a wide range of reading levels and students will have a choice of
which poem they will be able to comprehend)
You are going to use a poem to inspire an abstract paper sculpture
How does the poem make you feel?
How can you express that in a visual form?

Abstract Paper Sculpture

Step Four: (20 min)

o Students work independently to interpret poems and start creating paper
sculptures
o Walk around to ensure all students understand poems- read them out loud with a
student if they are struggling

Closure: (5 min)
o Clean up (no paper on the floor/glue closed and away)
o Turn and talk
What elements of art are you using to represent your poem in an abstract
sculpture? How?

Homework/Extension Activities:
o Homework #6 due today!
o Research poem online

Reflection on Lesson

The Lesson Plan:

Timing worked well
Great connection with ELA and abstract art

Teaching Skills:
Good question and answer section, but could have had the students using more
critical thinking skills
Could have allowed students notice beforehand to look up a poem that interests
them
During the lesson the day before I should have shown examples of famous
abstract paintings

The Students:

All students very engaged from start of class with video

Some students were struggling with the concept of abstract art