MYTHOLOGICAL ME – Model Magic Sculpture

Students use Model Magic on an armature to create a sculpture of themselves as a hybrid creature. 

Required Time

120 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 4 to Grade 8

Subject

Language Arts
Social Studies
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

armature colour detail embellishment form freestanding imagination sculpture texture

Materials

Crayola Model Magic - Assorted Colours Crayola Sketchbook or Marker & Watercolour Paper Crayola Crayons or Coloured Pencils Pencils Googly Eyes and Other Embellishments 18 or 20 Gauge Wire - about 90 cm (36") per student

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Steps

MYTHOLOGICAL ME – Model Magic Sculpture - Step One

Step One

  1. Choose an animal, or animals that you think reflect some of your characteristics.
  2. Make a plan drawing of the animal with your human head.
  3. You may want to download some source pictures of the animal from the Internet.
  4. Brainstorm words that represent the qualities of the animal and of you.
  5. Write the words around the drawing.
  6. Write notes about the design of your sculpture.
MYTHOLOGICAL ME – Model Magic Sculpture - Step Two

Step Two

Make the Armature

  1. Imagine what the finished animal will look like.
  2. The armature is a like the skeleton of your hybrid creature.
  3. You will build the creature over the skeleton using Model Magic. 
  4. To form the main part of the body bend a 20 cm piece of wire in half.
  5. Twist the wire about 5 cm from the bend to form the head of your sculpture.

 

MYTHOLOGICAL ME – Model Magic Sculpture - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Twist the wire at a spot where the back legs will begin.
  2. Take another piece of wire for the front legs. 
  3. Twist the wire around the neck.
MYTHOLOGICAL ME – Model Magic Sculpture - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Bend and twist the wires to make legs.
  2. Work with the wire armature until it is the shape you want.
  3. Make sure it can sit on the table without tipping over.
MYTHOLOGICAL ME – Model Magic Sculpture - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Cover the armature with Model Magic.
  2. Make it thicker than the armature
  3. Add details and embellishments.
  4. The armature will make the sculpture stronger and support the Model Magic until it dries.
MYTHOLOGICAL ME – Model Magic Sculpture - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Add details and props so the sculpture makes a statement about you. 
  2. Set it aside to dry for 2 days.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  • create a freestanding sculpture using Model Magic on an armature;
  • include details to represent aspects of their own personality; 
  • develop a list of personality traits for their sculpture;
  • demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; 
  • support their ideas with evidence found in the atworks.

Extensions

Have students:

  • create a mythological graphic story using their sculptures as the main characters;
  • base the character’s behaviour and way of speaking on their personality traits;
  • organize a storytelling event;
  • share their stories at the event.

Prepare

  1. Gather information about hybrid creatures.
    Human-Headed Hybrid
  2. Download some images of mythological hybrid creatures from the Internet, for example,
    Anubis
    Christopher
    Kinnorn
    Shedu
    Sharabha
  3. Download and display the Form poster available on this website.
  4. Gather all the materials required for this lesson.
  5. Pre-cut wire enough for each student to have a piece 30 cm long and a piece 60 cm long.
  6. Make a wire armature sample and pre-cut two pieces of wire so you can demonstrate how to make it.


 

Introduction

  1. Display 2 images of different mythological hybrid creatures side by side. 
  2. Notice the different materials used for each work.
  3. Talk about what is interesting about each piece, and compare them, for example,
    - use of texture
    - the human and animal combination
    - personality of each piece and how it is achieved
    - body language and how it makes us feel about the figure
  4. Make sure students support their ideas with evidence found in the work.
    - The VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) approach uses an effective question that guides students to be precise in their thinking, "What do you see that makes you say that?"
  5. Place students into groups of about 4.
    - Provide each group with 2 new images and ask them to compare them in their groups.
    - After a few minutes ask the groups to share their ideas with the whole class.
  6. Introduce the challenge

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a freestanding sculpture using Model Magic on an armature.
  2. Include details to represent aspects of your own personality.
  3. Develop a list of personality traits for your sculpture.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  5. Discuss your ideas and support them with evidence found in the artworks.

The Process

  1. Ensure that everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - created an appropriate armature
    - made a detailed plan drawing
    - used details and embellishments to represent my personality
    - used my own ideas
    - created a stable sculpture 
    - kept the sculpture in good condition
  3. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Once students have completed their plan drawings demonstrate how to make the armature.
  5. Observe students as they work.
  6. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Display all of the sculptures in a central location.
  2. Ask students to gather in front of the display and to look at the works thoughtfully.
  3. Ask them to find an interesting thing about any 3 of them.
  4. During the discussion include references to:
    - Personality – how the artist has communicated ideas about the figure's personality
    - Technical accomplishment – carefully constructed work
    - Creativity – unique qualities about each piece
    - Conversations – what might the figures be saying

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they discuss their artworks – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, points to areas in the artwork, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
  3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
  4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - MYTH_tracking.sheet.pdf)
  5. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads - MYTH_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

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