Big Beautiful Bugs!

Making 3D bug sculptures using paper mache

Mckenna Schley
Art Ed 138, 2023

Criteria:
LEARNING CREATING
Reproducing subjects from • Pre-planning - Bug
observation (accurately) drawing,
• Easy to identify names/identifies
head, abdomen, and
thorax (separated by •
bug parts
Layer of tape are
Day 1
an indent) smooth
• Student identifies • 3 layers of paper Introducing the 3D bug project and talking
and names parts Mache are about Entomologist’s, experts in studying
above relatively smooth
Communicate about their bug • 6 legs bugs. Students will be learning more about
• Names bug and • Balanced bug anatomy and importance/purpose of
provides description artistically
• Identifies traits that • Connected and bugs. Students will also brainstorm and
the bug will have in secure– well-built
their environment
practice drawing the shape they want their
and not falling
(survivability) ‘if apart (nothing is bug to be and then label the body parts.
your bug lives in the falling apart)
jungle, what do the • Identifiable
wings help your bug (realistic) feature
to do?’ (detail like horn,
• Reasoning for color stinger, wings, legs,
choice/blending in eyes, antennae)
with the • Size requirement:
environment 8” or 6-10”
(camouflage)
Understand
habitats/ecosystems
• Draws/explains the
ecosystem
(attributes of)
• Integrated
knowledge from
science…
 Day 2
Students are using paper and creating the 3
main body sections of a bug including the
head, thorax, and abdomen. Then they will be
using 1” thick masking tape to tape the 3
sections together, covering every spot of paper
and keeping the “skin” as smooth as possible.

Taping the 3 body sections together. (Day 2)

Day 3
Students will be using paper mache to cover
their bugs. Using strips of newspaper and a
binder paste, students will apply 2 layers to
their bug while keeping the bug’s “skin” as
smooth as possible with no bumps/wrinkles.

Using paper mache to cover the body. (Day 3)

Day 4
Students will be creating legs for their bugs, if
they want them, using straws with wires inside
for stability. Then students will attach the legs
with tape and paper mache the legs to match
the rest of the body.

Forming and then paper macheing the legs. (Day 4)

 Day 5
Students will be painting their bugs and
creating wings if they want them.
Wings will be made by using paper
mache to attach cheese cloth to wing
shaped wire. Students will also have
the choice of adding characteristics like
eyes, antennas, or other features.

Painting and adding wings. (Day 5)

Day 6
Students will be adding any finishing touches
to their bugs and deciding on an environment
or habitat for their bug. Then students will be
drawing their environment/habitat on a
12”x18” piece of construction paper using
colored pencils. When finished the bug can be
displayed on top of the environment drawing
with emphasis on our 3D bug sculptures.

Finishing and adding bug to an environment. (Day 6)