3-Dimensional Mobiles
Subject: Math and Visual Art
Grade Level: 5
Standards Alignment:
Math
Standard: 3. Geometry and Spatial Sense
Benchmark: D. Identify, describe and classify types of line pairs,
angles, two dimensional figures and three dimensional objects
using their properties.
Indicator: 8. Predict what three-dimensional object will
result from folding a two-dimensional net; then confirm the
prediction by folding the net.
Art
Standard: 2. Creative Expressions and Communication
Benchmark: A. Apply knowledge of materials, tools, media,
techniques and processes to communicate subject matter, themes
or ideas in a variety of visual forms.
B. Create two and three-dimensional original artwork that
demonstrates personal visual expression and communication
Indicator: 2. Explore different approaches to creating art
(e.g., by artist, style or historical period).
4. Apply problem-solving strategies to improve the creation
of artwork.
Standard: 1. Historical Cultural and Social Contexts
Benchmark: B. Create a work of art which incorporates the style or
characteristics of artwork from a culture other than their own
Indicator: 4. Demonstrate the way art materials are used by
artists to create different styles (e.g., paint applied
spontaneously in expressionism and more carefully in
minimalism).
Standard: 5. Connections, Relationships and Applications
Benchmark: C. Use key concepts, issues and themes to connect
visual art to various content areas.
Indicator: 3. Use artwork to communicate and enhance
understanding of concepts in other subject areas (e.g.,
science, English, language arts, mathematics and social
studies.)
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Description: Students will use two dimensional nets to color, cut and fold into
three dimensional forms. These forms will be strung and hung in a manner which
mimics the work of Alexander Calder.
Taken From The GeoArt Workbook: Conceptualizing in Three Dimensions;
Chapter 3, Chapter 4, and Chapter 5.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Vocabulary:
Two-dimensional
Three-dimensional
Net
Form
Face
Edge
Balance
Lever
Mobile
Design
Objective
Non-objective
Repetition/variation
Techniques
Objective: Students will be able to recognize and determine the forms created
by given nets. Students will also be able to recognize the art of Alexander Calder
and understand the construction of mobiles.
Procedure:
1. Prediction with 2-dimensional nets; using a prediction worksheet to record
their predictions of the nets provided.
2. Learn about the life and art of Alexander Calder by visiting the Calder
website and analyzing/responding to his mobile art designs.
3. Students use a sketchbook or scrap paper to draw a mobile design of their
own. To mimic the style of Calder, students will want to consider balance,
repetition of shapes/colors and successive tiers or levels. They may also
want to consider objective designs such as Calder’s fish mobiles.
4. Reference The GeoArt Workbook to learn concepts in the creation of twodimensional nets, pgs. 35-84.
5. Color, cut and fold nets to create the three-dimensional forms needed to
make their mobile.
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6. Once all the forms needed are ready, use large tapestry needles and yarn
to string each piece as needed for hanging. Needles can pierce the face of
the form or sneak the string through small gaps in the edges. (Forms may
be strung together on the same string or on separate strings. Use a large
knot to ‘sit’ the form onto and stay in place.)
7. Use 2 mm or 3 mm dowel rods as hangers. (The rods can be cut to
desired lengths for each tier of the mobile.)
8. Lay out the design on a table, as it should look hanging up. Then tie each
string onto its dowel rod, adding a string with a loop for hanging. The
mobile should be balanced. Students may have to experiment with ‘lever’
balance to make their mobile hang properly.
9. Confirm predictions on worksheet as a post-test to check
knowledge/visualization of two-dimensional nets.
10. Rubric (attached) grading for mobiles may be teacher or student
assessed.
Below Basic: Support as needed with folding nets and stringing forms for
mobiles. Require fewer forms in the mobile.
Gifted and Talented: Students may be given more complicated nets/forms.
Students may also prefer to join two or more forms together to create new forms.
After creating a ‘new’ form they could research its ‘true’ name or if there is no
‘true’ name for their form, they could create a name.
Assignments:
1. Prediction worksheet
2. Create mobile design as a drawing
3. Color and fold 5 to 15 three-dimensional forms for mobile
4. String and hang mobile
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Supplies:
1. Prediction worksheet
2. Variety of two-dimensional nets
3. Colored pencils, markers or crayons
4. Glue
5. Yarn and tapestry needles
6. 2mm-3mm dowel rods
Link Related Materials (resources):
Calder Foundation, www.calder.org, 2007.
Assessment: (ART STANDARDS)
1
2
Creative
No cohesive Simple
Expression &
design
design
Communication concept. <5
Pieces DO
forms used.
integrate. =5
Does NOT
forms used.
follow design Uses
drawing
some/parts
of design
drawing
Connections,
Relationships &
Applications
Does not
know the
names of
forms used.
Only 1 type
of form.
Forms are
misshapen,
levers (rods)
are
unbalanced.
Historical,
Cultural &
Social Contexts
Could not
recall any
facts about
Calder
3
Moderate
design
concept. 6-8
forms used.
At least 2
levels of
construction.
Uses design
drawing with
few changes.
Knows
names of all
forms used.
4-6 forms
used. Forms
well shaped.
Levers/rods
balanced.
Knows
names of at
least ½ of
forms used.
2-3 types of
forms used.
Forms have
some
crinkles.
Levers/rods
somewhat
balanced.
Able to recall Able to recall
>3 facts
4-6 specific
about Calder facts about
Calder
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4
Complex
design. 9+
forms used. 3+
levels of
construction or
Very objective.
Uses design
drawing with no
changes.
Knows names
of all forms
used. Used 7-9
forms. Forms
well shaped,
with crisp
edges and flat
faces. All
levers/rods
balanced.
Able to recall
7+ facts about
Calder OR
discuss/explain
5+ facts
Attachments:
Prediction worksheet
Two dimensional nets
Author: Terri Bradshaw - Canton Local Schools, Walker Elementary
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Prediction Worksheet
3-D Mobiles
NAME ____________________________________ Class Code ___________
Write the name of the geometric form that each net would make if it were folded.
1.________________
4._______________
7._________________
2.__________________
5.___________________
8.__________________
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3.__________________
6.___________________
9._________________
Answer Key
Prediction Worksheet
3-D Mobiles
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
decahedron or double pentagonal pyramid
cube
triangular pyramid
dodecahedron
cylinder
cone
square pyramid
square prism
triangular prism
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25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
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