Springfield College

Lesson Plan Guidelines

Teacher: Amanda Howell
Subject: Visual Arts
Title of Lesson: Contemporary Art

Date: -Grade Level: 8th

Lesson Length: 40
minutes

Overview of the Lesson

Lesson Summary:
In this lesson, students will research and print a current event from an
accredited site. Students will represent the subject as a paper sculpture
consisting of a composition with use of line and form.
Massachusetts Framework Standards:
1.1 Variety of media
1.2 and 1.5 Expand 2D and 3D art processes (constructed forms)
1.10 Use electric technology for reference and creating original work
2.1 Explore how color can convey mood and emotion
2.2 Explore the use of line in 2D and 3D works
2.6 Composition
3.2 Create expressive work that explores abstraction
3.6 Create artwork that employs the use of free form symbolic imagery that
conveys ideas and emotions
3.9 3D Work that explores abstraction of ideas and representations
Lesson Objectives: The students will be able to
Use technology to learn about a current event and represent it as
a paper sculpture.
Materials/Equipment to be Used in Teaching the Lesson:
pencils, paper, computers, printed articles, glue, scissors, rulers, large
final paper
Enduring Understandings:
Big Ideas:
Contemporary art is the art produced by artists who are living in the twentyfirst century. Contemporary art reflects on todays society and the issues
relevant to ourselves/the world around us.
Paper can be manipulated in many ways, such as folding, curling, and
crinkling.
Ideas and emotions can be abstractly represented through line and color.
Concepts:
Contemporary Art
Line
Folding, curling, crinkling
Composition
Paper sculpture
Organic

Springfield College
Lesson Plan Guidelines
Geometric
Shape
Form
Essential Questions:
What types of line could represent anger? growth?
What types of media can a contemporary artist use?
Content
Factual Content: Students will reflect upon current events from accredited
sites, and learn about contemporary art, line, composition and paper
sculpture. The works of Richard Serra will be used as reference and
inspiration.
Vocabulary:
Tier 1: Folding, curling, crinkling, line
Tier 2: paper sculpture, composition, abstract
Tier 3: contemporary art
Critical Thinking Skills Reading, Writing, Speech, Listening, Other
Critical Thinking Skills Students will form an opinion on the selected current event, determine types
of line and color of paper to best represent their opinion, construct a paper
sculpture by identifying the best folding techniques and attachment methods
and organizing it into a developed composition.
Assessments (Performance Tasks/Tests/Quizzes Formative/Summative,
Informal/Formal)
Assessment: (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening)
pre and post written assessment, use of class time, drafting, trying different
paper techniques, following directions, craftsmanship, behavior, care of
materials, composition, effort, timely completion of assignment.

Action/Instructional Procedures
Day 1
1. Pre Test
2. Slide Show on Contemporary Art/Richard Serra
3. Introduction to assignment:
Abstract Paper Sculpture representing personal ideas/emotions/opinions on current event
4. BrainStorm and list Current Events & Opinions on them
5. Identify types of shape and line related to ideas.
Day 3
1. Library day/chromebook day
Selection/ print of current event
2. BrainStorm and list Current Events & Opinions on them
3. Identify types of shape and line related to ideas.

Springfield College
Lesson Plan Guidelines
**see worksheet**
Day 3
1. Studio!
rough draft; practice paper techniques; composition focus
Days 4- completion
1. Studio
2. Self Assessment
3. Post test