Pipe Cleaner Self

Portraits

Grade and Course

3rd Grade Art
Mrs. Brumm

Essential Question:
Do you understand the use of contour lines using
pipe cleaners?

Overview:
After learning about the famous artist Alexander
Calder, students will use their knowledge of his
works of art to help them create their own.
Students will be creating self-portraits using pipe
cleaners.

Art Standards:
Objectives I Can Statements
Form and Structure:

I can use a variety of line in wire to create an

abstracted 3d portrait of myself. - E.4.1
Communicate basic ideas by producing studio
art forms, such as drawings, paintings, prints,
sculpture, jewelry, fibers, and ceramics
I can use my knowledge of contour line to
create a 3d sculpture out of pipe cleaners. H.4.4 Create three-dimensional forms with
paper, clay, and other materials
I can understand the meaning of contour lines
- D.4.5 Learn basic language used in art

Context:

I can relate to the history of Alexander Calder

to my work.

D.4.5 Learn basic language used in art

H.4.4 Create three-dimensional forms
with paper, clay, and other materials
G.4.4 Know how to create works of art
that have meanings
C.4.7 Develop basic skills to produce
quality art
E.4.1 Communicate basic ideas by
producing studio art forms, such as
drawings, paintings, prints, sculpture,
jewelry, fibers, and ceramics

Art Production:

I can practice working and creating interesting

shapes/textures with wire. - C.4.7 Develop
basic skills to produce quality art

Pipe Cleaner Self Portraits

Content:
Contour line

Personal Perspective:

I can understand the unique characteristics

about myself. - G.4.4 Know how to create
works of art that have meanings

Academic Language:
At the conclusion of this lesson, the students will
be able to make the following statements:
1. I can coil wire to shape the contour lines of
my face
2. I can explain what a self portrait is.
3. I can define what artist we learned about
who is known for wire sculptures.

Adaptivestrategies:
IfIhadachildinmyroomwithAttentionDeficitDisorderI
wouldmakesurethatIknoweverythingaboutthedisorder
andaboutthestudentbecauseeverystudentisdifferent.
StudentswillADDhaveahardtimepayingattentionandgo
fromonethingtoanotherveryquickly.Iwouldmakesure
thatmyassistantknowsaboutthestudentsdisorderandask
themtobepreparedtoredirectthestudentifIambusywith
anotherstudent.StudentswithADDneedtoberegularly
redirectedandisakeyelementinkeepingthemontaskwith
anassignment.

Aesthetics:
Students consider how the shape, contour,
added details and understanding of personal
characteristics could help relate an abstracted
wire portrait of themselves.

Art History:

Know and understand who Alexander Calder is

and what made him famous.

2D Image
3D Image

Materials:
Various types and colors of pipe
cleaners
Scissors
Pencils
Erasers
Manila sketching paper
Pictures of the students
Markers/Highlighters
Glue

Definitions for students

Contour Lines: A contour is the
line, which defines a form or
edge - an outline.
2D Image: Having the
dimensions of height and width
only: a two-dimensional surface.
It will typically be flat.
Examples: Paintings, Drawings,
and Photographs.
3D Image: The third dimension
gives shape. 3D is a sculpture.
Examples: Sculptures, ceramics,
metalworking, woodworking,
wire sculptures.
Alexander Calder: Was an
artist that created sculptural
forms by bending, twisting and
joining a wire into a variety of
shapes.

Evaluation:

Pipe Cleaner Self Portraits

Formative assessment and

summative assessment

Rubric and Self Evaluation

In class critiques

Procedure:
Time Day 1:
Instructional Strategies/Learning Tasks
Students enter the classroom, are seated and ready to begin
class.

2min Anticipatory Setting: Talk to the students about creating a self:

portrait and see what their background knowledge of one is?
Have they ever created one before?
What is a self-portrait?

5min
:

Introducing Alexander Calder:

Show the class a power point of the history of Alexander Calder and why is
he important.
Explain to the students that Calder was an artist that created sculptural
forms by bending, twisting and joining wire into a variety of shapes.

Introduce the project:

5min
:

Pipe cleaner self portrait:

ShowtheAlexanderCalderreproductionsnamedFernandLeger,JoanMiro,andEdgardVarese.

Describe the artwork as a line drawing that has spring off of the page as a
three-dimensional sculpture. Focus on the use of contour lines.

Pipe Cleaner Self Portraits

Demo:

5min
:

Startoffwithexplainingtotheclassthematerialstheywillbeusingandtheuseofthematerials.
Nextshowthemanexampleoftheprojectsotheyhaveanideawhattheirownendproductwill
looklike.
Nowyoucanbeginshowingthestudentsthesteps.

Steps:

Outline the contours of a picture of your face and all of your features.

Demonstrate how to make a circular form for the face. Then also do the same
for every facial feature.

Next demonstrate the best way to glue down the wire.

Once the students have seen you complete the demo, they can begin their
own self-portrait.

Process/work time:

5min
:

Handoutapictureofthestudentthatyouhaveprinted,sotheycanoutlinetheirface.

Have students outline the contours of their face and all of their features with
a highlighter.

Cleanup and closure:

5min
:

Have the students start putting away all of their materials.

Make sure they put their name on their image and put it away in their folders
for next class time.
Then explain to your students what you will be doing next class time so they
have an idea what the next step will be.

Day 2:
Students enter the classroom, are seated and ready to begin
class.
Anticipatory Setting: Review with the students what you did last class period
and what they learned. Ask them questions about Alexander Calder and about the
vocab they learned.

Pipe Cleaner Self Portraits

2min Demo:
Give a very brief demo on how the face will be made using the wire and
:

5min
:

some tricks that will help them complete the face.

This lesson will be focusing on the use of line in 3D and manipulating the wire
to create shapes.
Show students how to bend the circular shape into the shape of their face.
Next demonstrate how to create a nose shape by bending and twisting the
wire.
Demonstrate how to attach all parts after creating the shape to your paper
with glue.

TechniquestoDemonstrate:

Explain the difference to the students between 2D and 3D images.

This lesson will be focusing on the use of line in 3D and manipulating the wire
to create the sculpture.
Demonstrate how to make a circular form for the face.
Loop the large piece of wire into a circular shape and then wind the ends
around the circular shape until secure.

Topics to Discuss while Working:

While the students are working have them think of all the parts of the face
and list them on the board.
Include the face shape, nose, eyes, eyebrows, lips, teeth, hair etc.
Encourage students to add as much as possible to make it represent them.
For example, add glasses if you wear glasses, etc.
Encourage the students to explore the materials and use their imagination
in how they create their shapes.
Use a variety of lines like curly, zigzag, coil, spiral etc.
Combine several pieces of wire for part of the face rather than just using one
piece of wire.

Work time:

Let the students get to work.

Walk around the room to overlook their work time.
Answer any questions that need to be answered.
Work with students who might need a little bit more guidance then others

20mi Cleanup and closure:

n:
Have the students start putting away all of their materials.

Make sure they put their name on their image and put it away in their folders

Pipe Cleaner Self Portraits

for next class time.

Then explain to your students what you will be doing next class time so they
have an idea what the next step will be.

5min
Day 3:
:
Students enter the classroom, are seated and ready to begin
class.
Anticipatory Setting: Review with the students what you did last class period
and what they learned. Ask them questions about Alexander Calder and about the
vocab they learned.

Work time:

The rest of the class period is work time.

Let your students get their work done and come to you if they have any
questions.

2min
Cleanup and closure:
:

22mi
n:

Have the students start putting away all of their materials.

Make sure they put their name on their project and hand it in if it is
completed.
Then explain to your students what you will be doing next class and to have
a nice day.

5min
:

Assessment:
Yes 5pt

Pipe Cleaner Self Portraits

No 0pt

Completed the
project and
turned it in

Successfully
added
important
Characteristics
(eyes, nose,
mouth, hair)

Glued the pipe

cleaners to the
paper

Added a border
to the
background
using different
styles of lines

Total Score:
A
B
C
D

20pt
15pt
10pt
5pt

___________/20
Comments:

Pipe Cleaner Self Portraits