Springfield College

Lesson Plan Template

Teacher: Ms. Howell
Subject: Visual Arts
Title of Lesson: Alexander Calder

Date: 9/21/16
Grade Level: 2
Lesson Length:40 min

Overview of the Lesson

Lesson Summary:
The students will construct a mobile inspired by the works of Alexander Calder.
Massachusetts Framework Standards:
1.1 different media, 2D and 3D
1.3 learn appropriate language
1.5 mobile forms,
2.4 exploration of shapes in 2D and 3D works
2.11 space & balance
Lesson Objectives: The students will be able to..
Identify shapes both organic and geometric. Construct a skeletal structure for
a mobile. Find balance while constructing.
Materials/Equipment to be Used in Teaching the Lesson:
Paper, scissors, scrap papers, hole puncher, paperclips, pipe cleaners
Enduring Understandings:
Big Ideas: The students will understand that
Mobiles are structures that are suspended in the air so that they may turn if
touched or moved by air.
Alexander Calder 1st to make mobiles.
Concepts:
Balance
Mobiles
Shapes
Organic
Geometric
Movement
Recycle
Essential Questions:
Where do we see shapes (triangles, circles, squares) outside of math or art?
Where can someone find organic shapes?
What is the difference between organic and geometric shapes?
Content
Factual Content:
Alexander Calder lived August 22, 1898 November 11, 1976.
He was an American sculptor and the originator of the mobile.
A mobile is a type of moving sculpture made with balanced or suspended shapes that move in
response to touch or air currents.

Springfield College
Lesson Plan Template
Vocabulary:
Tier 1:Shapes,
Tier 2:Free form, balance,
Tier 3: Mobile, organic, geometric
Critical Thinking Skills (Reading, Writing, Speech, Listening)
Identify shapes and Follow directions to design and assemble a mobile
Assessments (Performance Tasks/Tests/Quizzes Formative/Summative,
Informal/Formal)
Performance:
Did the student complete all steps of the project? Did the student include 5
organic and 5 geometric shapes? Did he/she create a sturdy skeleton for their
mobile? Did they get their mobile to balance?

Action/Instructional Procedures
Procedures:
Day 1
1. Discuss shapes
Find shapes in our room. Teacher visually lists mentioned by students on two untitled pieces
of paper, (one paper will house the organic, one will house the geometric). At about 16
shapes, teacher will ask students the difference in the two types of shapes.
2. Discuss Geometric shapes. Shapes we can use in math, human made.
3. Discuss organic shapes. Cloud, paint blob, puddles. Another word: organic. Shapes found
in nature not by people. Sea shells, flowers, rocks, eggs, teeth
4. Draw different shapes, cut out, hole punch
(10 shapes total, 5 organic, 5 geometric. Different sizes. No smaller than a quarter, no
bigger than a fist.)
Day 2
5. Sculpt mobile from pipe cleaners
-two pipe cleaners, make an X, pinch in middle with one hand, & twist other two pipe
cleaners3 times. Turn X sideways, pinch middle and twist 3 more times. Wrap one more
around middle of X to stick out the top.
6. Attach to clothesline with clothes pin marked with their name.
Day 3
7. Open paperclips to make s
8. Punch holes as needed in shapes and attach to mobile with paperclips, finding
BALANCE.

Springfield College
Lesson Plan Template
Adaptations:
Student who is hard of hearing; teacher uses visuals for instruction as well as private mic.
Student who is autistic needs malleable media to remain engaged; student creates organic and
inorganic shapes from model magic which will then dry and be hung by strings to a metal coat
hanger to create a sturdy mobile. Students who finish early may draw in their sketch book.

Reflection on Lesson
a. The Lesson Plan:

b. Teaching Skills:

c. The Students: