2nd Grade Insect Sculptures
Second Grade learned that artists have been studying insects for centuries. Scientists even became artist so that they could draw more accurate pictures of the insects they were learning about. We also looked at artist Jennifer Angus who uses thousands of real bugs to create wallpaper like designs on gallery walls.
We learned about the different parts on a insect’s body and modeled an insect out of air dry clay. Then we used wire to make legs and plastic sheets and sharpies to make wings. We painted our insects with liquid watercolor and created a habitat for our clay insects.
Objective. Students learn about the element of art FORM while they create their own three dimensional insect with clay, wire and transparent plastic. They study the parts of an insect and their habitats to prepare for the project.
Materials:
- air dry model magic clay
- Twisteeze wire
- Duarlar plastic
- Sharpie markers
- Square paper for habitat ( I used 9X9)
Intro: Look at artist who create art based on insects.
Jennifer Angus uses real insects to make her art (The kids thought this was so cool!)
Blog about many artists who use insects as subject
Steven Kutcher puts paint on insects and lets them do the painting
Insect:
- Design the wings on duarlar plastic and color with sharpie
- Sculpt the three parts of an insects body with clay
- Insert wire for legs
- Cut out and insert wings (hot glue on later if run out of time)
Habitat:
- Fold square paper into 4ths (first fold top to bottom then left to right) then unfold.
- Cut along one fold to center
- Using colored pencils draw on habitat, top, uncut half being background and bottom half (with the cut through the center) being the ground or leaves the bug is sitting on.
- Fold one part of the cut bottom over the other and glue to make a 3D habitat.
Standards:
FA.2.V.2 Apply creative and critical thinking skills to artistic expression.
FA.2.V.3 Create art using a variety of tools, media, and processes, safely and appropriately.
FA.2.CX.1 Understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts.
FA.2.V.1.4 Understand characteristics of the Elements of Art, including lines, shapes, colors, textures, form, space, and value.
Fanciful Art Room 