Teacher: Miss.

Anna Murawska Lesson Date:

Grade: 7 Subject: Visual Arts Strand: 3-Dimensional Structures

Lesson Title: Introduction to Paper Mache Approx. Time: 45 – 60 mins

Curriculum Expectations (cross curricular Enduring Understandings/Big Ideas

connections)
Overall Expectations: Students will take an environmental approach to their
D1. Creating and Presenting: apply the creative process artwork by reusing newspaper to create works of art and
to produce art works in a variety of traditional two- and developing their understanding of the Element of Design -
three- dimensional forms, as well as multimedia art Form.
works, that communicate feelings, ideas, and
understandings, using elements, principles, and
techniques of visual arts as well as current media
technologies.

Specific Expectatins:
D1.4 Use a variety of materials, tools, and techniques to
determine solutions to increasingly complex design
challenges.

Notes/Reminders/Things to Do Prior to Start of Lesson:

- Print off all necessary handouts. Prepare workstations and materials. Make sure PowerPoint is working

MINDS ON – ACTIVATING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

- Start by asking students: Have you ever created a Materials Required:
spitball? Or wrapped freshly chewed gum in a soft - PowerPoint with images or printed
tissue? (Yes/no) What happens to that spitball and gum images
when you leave it over time? (Both the spitball and
gum harden with the paper used) How does it look and Accommodations/Modifications:
- Images for students who might not
feel? (Feels hard, tough, etc. and looks vary)
know what a spitball is
- Show students pictures of both a spitball and chewed - Handouts with definitions and terms
gum so everyone knows what you are discussing, it
also lightens the mood. Assessment For/As/Of Learning:
- Ask students: have you ever heard of the technique - Based on the conversation. If
paper mache? If students say they did ask them to tell students have heard of the technique,
the rest of their peers what it is. If students do not it means that there is some prior
know what this technique is say: Paper mache, in knowledge present.
French is Papier-mâché which means “chewed
paper”and it is a substance made from paper pulp that
can be molded when wet and painted when dry.
Similar to the tissue on the gum and the paper in the
spitball, paper mache hardens to the same shape that
it covers.
- Before proceeding ask students if they remember the
elements of design, more specifically Form. Form is a

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 3-dimensional figure or object. It can be organic (free-
flowing, created by nature e.g. apple), geometric
(based on geometry, e.g. Sphere, cube, etc), open (has
speces that can be looked into e.g. a ring), and closed
(is self-contained with no open spaces e.g. domino
piece). Other terms to mention: mass – has bulk and
weight, and 3-dimensional – has height, width and
depth.
- Have students copy or give them a handout about the
element of design – Form with all the associated terms
and definitions
ACTION
- After discussing Form and the definition of paper mache. Materials Required:
Give each student a handout with a simple recipe for - White school glue
making paper mache. - Bowl or container
- As you go through the recipe and materials, make sure you - Water
demonstrate the steps so that students can see what - A cup to help measure
everything looks like. Then proceed: - Newspaper
- Recipe: 2 parts white school glue mixed with 1 part water - Cut strips of newspaper and white
(meaning if you use 2 cups of glue you would need to mix in paper towel
1 cup of water) - Paintbrush
- Other materials: something to mix glue and water in (bowl, - Small balloons
large yogurt container, etc.), cut strips of newspaper (to - Masking tape
start with) and white paper towel (last layer), and a paint
brush (the stiff bristle ones are best) For this particular Accommodations/Modifications:
lesson have some strips of paper already cut and prepared - Providing a demonstration of the
to save time. steps
- Demonstrate that how you can role up newspaper and - Handing out all necessary
sticking it onto the balloon using masking tape, to create information on handouts.
open spaces (e.g. adding a handle) on your form. Then - Extra assistance and clarification
show students how to dip the strips into the paste and wrap where needed
them around your balloon.
- After the demonstration get students to work on the Balloon Assessment For/As/Of Learning:
Paper Mache Activity (handout added with instructions) - Based on whether the students
- When finished the activity, clean up the classroom. You followed the instructions given
can designate a clean up crew for these types of art lessons. - Participated in the activity and tried
to grasp the technique.
- If students asked questions during
this processes.
- Students showed initiative and came
added extra details to their forms.

CONSOLIDATION/DEBRIEF – REFLECT & CONNECT

- The paper mache balloons will take a while to dry so the Materials Required:
lesson will have to continue for another 1-2 work periods. - Statement sheets
- When the forms are completed, ask students to write a short -
statement with Name, Date, and Brief description of their form Accommodations/Modifications:
(is it organic or geometric? Is it open or closed?) - Depending on the students the
statement may need to be scribed,

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 typed, or translated.

Assessment For/As/Of Learning:

- Based partially on their overall form
(was it painted, did it include other
details, etc.) as well as on their
statement (do they know what type of
form they made and can they
distinguish between open and closed
forms)
Next Steps:
- Upon completion students can take their work home or if possible have their work and statement
displayed.

Self-Reflection:
What went well? What did not go so well? What do I need to change?

*Handouts further down the page*

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 Balloon Paper Mache Activity Handout

Paper mache definition:

Comes from the French word Papier-mâché meaning “chewed paper”. It is
substances made from paper pulp that can be molded when wet and painted when
dry. When dry it hardens into a strong shell.

Materials:
Balloon
White school glue
Water
Cup (to help measure)
Bowl or container to mix in
Paintbrush (acrylic brush or one with tough bristles are best)
Newspaper (cut into strips, not too long)
Full sheets of newspaper
White paper towel (cut into strips)
Masking tape

Recipe:
2 parts white glue
1 part water
* Therefore, if you use 2 cups of glue you would need to mix in 1 cup of water *

Instructions:
- Take and blow up a small balloon (water balloons are good) * Always have extra
balloons just in case they pop*
- You can add designs, shapes, handles, etc. to your balloons by rolling a sheet of
newspaper and taping it securely to you balloon. Make sure you have the shape
you want.

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- Using a paintbrush, mix 2 parts white glue with 1 part water in your
bowl/container. This creates the paste.
- Take the strips of newspaper, dip them into your paste and gently place the wet
strip of newspaper onto your balloon. Use the paintbrush to help you get the
paper around all the details.
- Continue this process until you have covered your entire balloon, including the
added details. DO NOT cover the knot at the end of the balloon, you will need
this to remove the balloon.
- When covered repeat the process with your white paper towel strips, this helps
to give the balloon a nice white coat. This way if you chose to paint it the
colours will be brighter.
- When you’ve covered it up, leave it to dry in a safe place.
- Your paper mache balloon should be dry within 24hrs. If not give it extra time.
- When your balloon is dry, pop it using a needle, a pen, or anything that is fairly
sharp. Make sure to hold the knot while you do this so that when the balloon
pops you can pull it out.
- As soon as you have removed your balloon you can start painting and decorating.
- Be creative! You can add feathers, beads, googley-eyes, etc.
* You can also do the same thing using coloured tissue paper instead of
newspaper and paper towel *

Have Fun!

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 Artist Statement

Artist Name: .
Date: .
Brief description of for .
.
.
.
.