SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast

Students use construction paper to create a collage composed of 3 different geometric shapes and one organic shape.

Required Time

80 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 1 to Grade 3

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

collage colour contrast design geometric organic shape silhouette

Materials

Pencil Geometric Shape Tracers Construction Paper Glue Sticks Scissors Markers Glitter Glue

Shop Crayola Products

Construction Paper Pad - 400 Sheets
Washable Glue Stick, 25 g
Blunt Tip Metal Scissors
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Markers, Broad Line 8 ct - Classic Colours

Steps

SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step One

Step One

  1. Choose a different coloured paper for each geometric shape. 
  2. Use the tracers to draw 3 or 4 shapes on the paper.
  3. Use the same colour of marker as the paper when you trace your shapes. For example, use a red marker to trace circles on red paper. 
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Cut out all the shapes.
    Hint: Cut a frame about 1 cm  (1/2") around each shape before cutting on the lines. This makes it easier to hold and cut. 
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Draw about 6 different lines on a piece of paper. 
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Choose one of your lines to add detail to one of your shapes.
  2. Choose one of the shapes.
  3. Draw the line on the shape with a marker that is the same colour as the shape. 
  4. Draw over the line with glitter glue that is the same colour as your shape.
  5. Repeat this process for each of the other shapes. Make sure you choose a different line for each new shape.
  6. Remember to use red marker on red paper, blue marker on blue paper, and yellow marker on yellow paper.
  7. Set the shapes aside to dry.
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Find a background colour that you think looks best with your shapes.
    Hint: Try placing your shapes on several background colours to help you decide which one you like best.

 

SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Make sure the glitter glue is dry before you begin.
  2. Use all your shapes to create your design.
  3. Arrange the shapes so your eye moves around the paper from one space to another in an interesting way.
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Once you are happy with the way it looks glue the pieces in place.
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Eight

Step Eight

  1. Sketch an outline of an animal, bird or something else found in nature on a small piece of paper. 
  2. This organic shape will be a silhouette in your collage. Make sure the size suits your design.

 

 

SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Nine

Step Nine

  1. Cut out your shape to make a tracer.
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Ten

Step Ten

  1. Trace your shape on a piece of black construction paper.
  2. Cut out the shape. 
SHAPE COLLAGE – Organic, Geometric, Contrast - Step Eleven

Step Eleven

  1. Place your silhouette in different spots on your design.
  2. Once you are happy with the location glue it in place.
  3. Use your scraps to cut out smaller shapes to add detail and variety to your collage.

 

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  1. Create a collage using red, yellow and blue construction paper;
  2. Explain the difference between geometric and organic shapes;
  3. Use contrast to create emphasis;
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity, and
  5. Support their ideas with evidence found in their work.

 

Extensions

  1. Have students create a new collage combining different coloured geometric shapes to create a picture such as an animal or landscape. The book Colour Farm, by Lois Ehlert provides a good example for this extension.
  2. Place students in small groups to share their collages. Have them discuss how they used the shapes and colours to create their tree or animal.
  3. Have students work in partners. Ask them to use their two completed artworks to create a story. Remind them that their story has to have a beginning, middle and end.

Prepare

  1. Prior to this lesson have students practice tracing and cutting small shapes from a large piece of paper.
  2. Demonstrate how to:
    - Place tracer about 3 cm (1") from the edge of the paper, not in the centre of the paper;
    - Cut about 1 cm (1/2")  around each shape before cutting on the lines to make the paper easier to hold and cut .
  3. Download and display the Colour and Shape posters available on this website.
    Posters
  4. Download silhouette images from the Internet, for example,
    Silhouette
    Silhouette2
    Silhouette-Shark
    Silhouette-Gazelle
  5. Gather, and make available, books on the theme of shapes such as Round as a Mooncake, A Book of Shapes, by Roseanne Thong; Icky Bug Shapes, by Jerry Pollotta; and The Greedy Triangle, by Marilyn Burns and Gordon Silvena. (Marilyn Burns is known for her integration of mathematics into her children's books.)
  6. Cut out sets of tracers, enough for students to share in small groups. (Downloads - Geometric_tracers.pdf)
  7. Create a sample collage using three shapes and three colours.

Introduction

  1. Conduct a read-aloud using a book with a shape theme such as Round as a Mooncake - A Book of Shapes, by Roseanne Thong.
  2. View and discuss the silhouette images. 
  3. Discuss the characteristics of geometric and organic shapes.
  4. Have students identify shapes within the classroom.
  5. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a collage using red, yellow and blue construction paper.
  2. Explain the difference between geometric and organic shapes.
  3. Use contrast to create emphasis.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  5. Support your ideas with evidence found in the work.

The Process

  1. Make sure that everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    - carefully cut out shapes
    - marker colours match paper colours
    - careful gluing
    - interesting placement of shapes
    - silhouette size suits the design
    - paper in good condition
  3. Guide the students through the steps outlined in the lesson plan.
  4. Observe students as work.
  5. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Conduct a read-aloud using a book such as Blue Horse or The Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle to discuss and observe the use of collage illustrations in a story.
  2. Discuss how the author created these illustrations.
  3. Have students share their completed collages with a partner. Ask them to share:
    - What they like about the collages.
    - Two things that are the same about their collages. 
    - Two things that are different about their collages. 
    - What was difficult about making the collage.
    - What was satisfying about making the collage.
  4. Have the partners create a short story using both collages and focusing on their silhouettes as the main characters in their story.
  5. Remind them that every story has a beginning, middle and end.

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they discuss their collage – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - Collage_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads - Collage_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

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