High School Unit: Life Piatas

Overview:
In this unit student will learn about the history of the Piata and the many cultures
and time periods it belongs to as well as how it is considered an art form. The art
activities will help students celebrate a personal event in their own life. The student will
read articles, watch short videos, and look at artists who use Piatas in their own work
and also to make a living.

Big idea:

Art as celebration: Art can be used to celebrate a culture, or event.

Key concepts Understanding- The Piata is often times created to symbolize an event, person,
religion, change, or memory.
History- Piatas span many historys and cultures from Chinese, Spanish, European
and Ancient Latin American and are even seen in contemporary art.

Essential Questions:
-

How and why are Piatas used for in modern culture?

How can Piatas be considered art and what may they represent?

Target Grade:
10th Grade/ Art II

Rational:
This lesson will benefit students because it will introduce them to ways different cultures
celebrate and appreciate life events. Students will then explore different ways to
represent and symbolize events that have happened in their own lives. Students will
then be showed how we can apply these events to the folk art of piata making.
Students will learn how to construct three-dimensional armatures and then to properly
apply different surfaces to them.

Standards of Learning
AII.1 The student will expand the use of a process art portfolio to include preliminary
sketches, completed works, critical writings, and class notes.
AII.14 The student will describe traditional and nontraditional media and subject matter
in works of art in relation to historical and contemporary meaning.

Lesson 1- Where Are Piatas From?

Objective: The student will begin to understand and discuss what Piatas are used for in
various cultures.
The student will use a writing prompt that will help them create an idea for their
own piata. The students piata will base off of an important life event. Once
students finish their writing prompt the student will start to draw thumbnails of
what the piata will look like from every angle.

Lesson 2- How to make a 3d Armature.

Objective: the student will continue to learn about how Piatas are used in modern and
contemporary art. Students will be shown examples of modern artist who use piatas in
their practice and how they construct the Piatas Armature.
The student will finish drawing their thumbnails then will be shown various was to
make an armature. Students will then be allowed to start making their piatas
armature.

Lesson 3- Decoration as Representation.

Objective: The students will discuss how piatas are decorated and how the decoration
can symbolize different things
The students will finish their armature then be shown how to apply materials to the
surface of their piata. Student then can add the first layer of paper to their piata

Lesson 4 Its what is on the inside that counts.

Objective: The student will discuss what might the contents of their piata my consist of
and how they relate to the event they symbolized
The student will continue to apply decoration to the surface of their Piata and also
be thinking of what items might be placed in it.

Lesson 5- Critique.
Objective: Students will finish decorating their Piata and then hang them up in the
classroom to critique.
The student will finish his or her piata then set it up for a presentation and
critique.

Lesson 1-Where Are Piatas From?

Objective: The student will begin to understand and discuss what Piatas are used for in
various cultures.
Hook: Students will get to break open a piata in class.
Instructional input: Students will start the day discussing classroom rules and
expectations, after this the class will be introduced to the topic of Piatas with a series of
question that will help understand students pre-existing knowledge in this topic.
Guided Practice: Students will be led in a discussion about different cultures that use
Piatas.

What are Piatas used for?

What cultures are you aware of that use Piatas?
How has the use of Piata changed over time?
What might we use a Piata to celebrate?

After these questions I will show students various artist such as Jennifer Rubell, Mariana
Deball, Meg Cranston, and Aaron Krach, as well as cultures and festivals that use Piatas
to celebrate
Independent Practice: The student will use a writing prompt that will help them create an
idea for their own piata. The students idea will based off of an important life event.
Once students finish their writing prompt the student will start to draw thumbnails of
what the piata will look like from every angle.
Closure: Student will be asked questions to check for understanding.

What cultures use Piatas?

What were the used to celebrate?

Materials:

For teachers: Computer, projector, PowerPoint and YouTube, Whiteboard and

markers, paper and pencil.
For students: Pencil and paper, Notebooks.

Ox Piata to represent a hard semesters work.

Lesson 2-How To Make a 3D Armature.

Objective: The student will continue to learn about how Piatas are used in modern and
contemporary art. Students will be shown examples of modern artist who use piatas in
their practice and how they construct the Piatas Armature.
Hook: Video of the Piata house and how they create their Piatas
Instructional input: Students will be introduced to the days lesson through a video on
Piata making. After the video we will discuss as a class different ways to create paper
shapes for the armature of a piata
Guided Practice: Students will watch an armature making demo and after students will
group up to make different armature shapes out of paper. After the groups finish they will
share their shape with the class and explain how they created it.

How did you use the paper to create this shape?

What might you do differently next time to get a better product?
How can we create more difficult shapes out of armatures?

Independent Practice: The student will finish drawing their thumbnails then students will
be shown various was to make an armature. Students will then be allowed to start
making their piatas armature.
Closing: Student will be asked a series of question to check for understanding. Student
will also be told what will be discussed in the next class.
Materials:

For Teachers: Computer, projector, PowerPoint and YouTube, Whiteboard and

markers, paper and pencil colored pencil.
For Student: Pencil, Paper, stapler, scissors.

Lesson 3- Decoration as Representation.

Objective: The students will discuss how piatas are decorated and how the decoration
can symbolize different things.
Hook: Students will be shown various Piatas from past student and teacher examples.
Instructional Input: Students will discuss the importance of decoration on Piatas
Guided practice: Students will take part in a discussion about how to decorate piatas.
They will look at past classroom examples and also various videos on techniques to use
on there own project. Students will also be shown how to properly apply these materials
to the surface of their piata after adding their first outer coving of paper.

What other materials beside paper can we use to decorate our piatas?

Independent Practice: The students will finish their armature then can add the first layer
of paper to their piata. After this Students can start to add their decoration.
Closure: Students will be asked to wrap up early so that they can properly clean the
room. Piatas will be stored in place where they will not be damaged. Students will then
be asked a few closing questions.

What are some other decorations you can add to your piata?
How were piatas originally decorated?

Materials:

For teachers: Paper, wheat paste, scissors, colored paper.

For students: Paper, wheat paste, scissors, colored paper

Lesson 4 Its What Is On The Inside That Counts.

Objective: The student will discuss what might the contents of their piata may consist of
and how these items relate to the event that is symbolized.
Hook: Students will be shown videos about what various cultures put inside their piatas.
Instructional Input: Students will have a brief discussion about what they will put inside
of their piatas. After, student will be given a writing prompt to complete at home to help
them further their ideas.
What items or symbols are important to your life event that you modeled your
piata after?
Why are these items imports to your experience?

Students will be divided into two groups on that make plant life and the other that makes
the bottom of the bed.
Guided practice: Students will be shown mores techniques to decorate the out side of
their piata. Students will also be showing how to apply their hanging string to the
piata.
Independent Practice: The student will continue to apply decoration to the surface of
their Piata and also be thinking of what might be place in it. Students will have a
drawing and writing prompts to take home to further these ideas.
Closure: Students will be checked for understanding with the following questions.
Why is it important that we place meaningful items in out piatas?
What might these items purposes be?
Materials:

Teacher Supplies: String, Colored paper, paper plate, Wheat paste, and scissors.
Student Supplies: String, Colored paper, paper plate, Wheat paste, scissors, and
writing prompt.

Lesson 5- Critique.
Objective: Students will finish decorating their Piata and then hang them up in the
classroom to critique.
Hook: Students will look at modern piatas made by artist.
Instructional Input-Students will be given instructions on how to properly critique the
classes piatas.
What were the main ideas and objectives of the project?
What is the craftsmanship of the piatas like?
Guided practice: Students will be shown how to properly hang their piatas.
Independent Practice: The students will be allowed to work and put the finishing touches
on their piatas before having to hang them up for class critique.
Critique: Students will present their piatas along next to the writing prompt and images
of items that will go into the piata the class will then be allowed to share what they like
about the piece and what they think needs improvement.
Closure : Student will be checked for understanding of the whole unit.
What cultures were piatas parts of?
How did you like the process?
Is there anything you would have changed about the assignment?
Materials:
Teacher Supplies: String, Colored paper, paper plate, Wheat paste, and scissors.
Student supplies: String, Colored paper, paper plate, Wheat paste, scissors, and
writing prompt.

Assessment:
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSESSMENT
PROJECT: Life Piata
STUDENT NAME:______________________________________

PERIOD:____________

Assignment: To receive full credit finished projects meet the following criteria:

Project is finished in allotted time.

Create one piata that depicts or symbolizes a pivotal moment in their life .
Use various materials to decorate their piata.
Create 4 paper items that are related to the theme of their piata.
Show high levels of craftpersonship.
Present to others in a group critique.
Keep area clean and participate in clean up
SELF
EVLAUATION

Students should have:

Grading Scale:
5=Top Expectation
4-3=Good
Work/Average
2=Below Average
1=Incomplete Work
0=No Effort

Final project should

demonstrate good
craftspersonship
through:

TEACHER
EVALUATION

Project is finished in
allotted time. (Time
Management)
Created one piata
that depicts or
symbolizes a pivotal
moment in their life .
Used various materials
to decorate their
piata.
Created 4 paper items
that are related to the
theme of their piata.
Be presented by
student and group in
critique.
Keept area clean and
participate in clean up
Attention to details:
Used paper and wheat
paste properly.
Neatly applied
decoration to outside
of piata and paper
symbols.

NOTES: