CelluClay Lesson Plan
Title of Lesson: CelluClay Circular Sculpture
Grade Level(s): High School Art, Level 1
Time Required: 6-10 hours of work time
1.
Overview of Lesson
In this lesson, students will use CelluClay, an air-dry papier mache
sculpting material, to create a balanced sculpture out of connecting
round shapes. The final sculpture will be between 8-12 inches tall. To
participate in this project, the student will manipulate CelluClay into a
semi-circle base and then will form five round donut-like objects of
various sizes. The teacher will demonstrate how to mix CelluClay into a
stiff dough-like clay by adding small amounts of water until the desired
texture is kneaded well.
The CelluClay now needs to dry completely (2-3 days of
dry time or overnight with a fan running across the artwork
pieces.)
Once dry, the student may leave the sculpture in its rough
state, or may use Acrylic Paint to add color and visual
texture to the art work.
IMPORTANT: No CelluClay near a sink or a drain! Use
a Rinse Bucket to clean hands prior to washing!
Students will use only their hands in order to form and shape the
components of this sculpture. A semicircle base is formed by creating a
sphere out of a handful of CelluClay, molding and shaping this sphere,
and finally pressing it into a half-sphere shape on a sheet of wax paper.
Next, students will divide 5 quantities of Celluclay into different flat
circular objects that are about ½ inch in thickness. Using their fingers,
students will open up a hole that is at least the diameter of a quarter in
the center of their round objects. After a day of drying and firming up,
the student will flip their circular objects over on the wax paper,
smoothing and shaping the “back” side with water and their fingers. A
pair of scissors may be helpful in cutting any dried edge.
Once all of the CelluClay components are dry, the student will assemble a sculpture by balancing and connecting the round objects
on the base. Thin wire, twist ties, or yarn is used to balance, to secure, and connect the round objects together in a sculpture that
is 8-12 inches high. Once the sculpture is secure, balanced, and individual pieces no longer shift when moved, ¼ cup of CelluClay is
used by each artist to completely cover the wire/yarn connectors. It helps to have a cup of water on hand to help smooth the
CelluClay after pressing it into the joints and gaps.
I.
Objectives
Objective 1: The student will use their hands to mold and shape five round objects and a base.
Objective 2: The student will adhere to safety expectations and material use requirements while sculpting with CelluClay.
Objective 3: The student will be able to discuss their artwork and the artwork of others in the class in terms of positivenegative space, balance, and movement.
Objective 4: The student will paint their sculpture with care and precision, using color that contributes to the overall impact
of the artwork.
Author: Lauren Kolesar-Eatinger, Art Educator
ACTÍVA Products   |  [email protected]  |  www.activaproducts.com  |  903-938-2224
2. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
117.52 Art, Level I
(1.1) Perception: The student
develops and organizes ideas from the
environment
A) Illustrate ideas for artworks
from direct observation, experiences,
and imagination
(B) Compare and contrast the
use of art elements (color,
texture, form, line, space,
value) and art principles
(emphasis, pattern, rhythm,
balance, proportion, unity) in
personal artworks and those of
others, using vocabulary
accurately.
3. Design
Elements/Principles
(I.2) Creative
Expression/Performance: The
student expresses ideas for
original artworks through a
variety of media with appropriate
skill
(A) Create visual
solutions by elaborating on direct
observation, experiences, and
imagination
(C) Demonstrate
effective use of art media and tools
in design, drawing, painting,
printmaking, and sculpture.
(1.4) Critical Evaluation: The
student makes informed
judgments about personal
artworks and the artworks of
others
(A) Interpret, evaluate,
and justify artistic decisions in
personal artworks
Form-- three-dimensional shape that occupies
space and has volume
Movement—the arrangement of the parts of an
image creates a sense of motion by using lines,
shapes, forms, and textures that cause the eye to
move over the work.
Balance—a feeling of equality in weight, attention,
or attraction of various elements within an artwork
as a means of unifying a composition
4. Vocabulary
Positive Space—the shape of an object
Negative Space—an empty or void space or space
around a form
5. Materials
Bucket for mixing
CelluClay (one per
group of 4 students)
Newspaper to cover
Optional: Fan to speed
tables
the drying process/ run
overnight
Once the sculpture is complete, Acrylic paint can be
ACTÍVA CelluClay
Wax Paper Sheet: 12-15
inches in length/ per
student
One Bamboo Skewer per
student
Water pitchers (one per
group of 4 students)
Paper Towel
A Rinse Bucket so that
no CelluClay goes in the
sink
Thin Wire (preferred) or
Yarn
used to add color to the artwork. You will need to provide painting materials.
6. Motivation/Introduction
The teacher will bring in a ring stacker toy to the class, asking students if they recall playing with one of these when they were
young. The teacher will show an example Round Object sculpture made with CelluClay, asking the students to compare and contrast
the two forms. What is similar? What is different? Describe the visual balance of each form using vocabulary that is specific to each.
This can be a discussion, or a sketchbook reflection activity.
The teacher will explain that the class will use CelluClay, an air-dry paper mache sculpting material, to create a balanced
sculpture out of connecting round shapes. The final sculpture will be between 8-12 inches tall.
Author: Lauren Kolesar-Eatinger, Art Educator
ACTÍVA Products   |  [email protected]  |  www.activaproducts.com  |  903-938-2224
7. Instruction/Procedures
1.
2.
3.
The student will prepare their work
surface by covering their table with
newspaper. Next, each student will
receive one sheet of wax paper for
their personal workspace. The student
will write their name on the sheet of
wax paper with a permanent marker.
Each table group will receive a bowl
of dry CelluClay and a pitcher of
water. The teacher will demonstrate
how to mix CelluClay into a stiff
dough-like clay by adding small
amounts of water until the desired
texture is kneaded well. The group of
students will work to make their dry
CelluClay into a moldable material.
The student will use only their hands
to manipulate CelluClay into a semicircle base and five various-sized
round donut-like objects. A semicircle
base is formed by creating a sphere
out of a handful of CelluClay,
molding and shaping this sphere, and
finally pressing it into a semi-circle
shape on a sheet of wax paper. The
student will divide 5 quantities of
CelluClay into different flat circular
objects that are about ½ inch in
thickness. Using their fingers dipped
in water, students will open up a hole
that is at least the diameter of a
quarter in the center of their round
objects. The student will use water on
their fingers to smooth the object on
the top and edges.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The student will use a bamboo skewer
to pre-drill a hole in the largest of the
round object. Do this by inserting the
dowel into the CelluClay and spinning
the dowel to open the hole, slightly.
Remove the skewer!
The student will place the dull-side of
the skewer in the base CelluClay.
The student will carry their sculptural
objects to a drying area (note,
consider drying bases in one area and
round objects on a horizontal drying
rack)
After a day of drying and firming up,
the student will flip their circular
objects over on the wax paper,
smoothing and shaping the “back”
side with water and their fingers. A
pair of scissors may be helpful in
cutting any dried edge. (If this is not
done on day 2, a pair of scissors can
be used to trim any pieces of rough,
dried clay.
The CelluClay now needs to dry
completely (2-3 days of dry time or
overnight with a fan running across
the artwork pieces.)
9.
Once all of the CelluClay components
are dry, the student will assemble a
sculpture by balancing and connecting
the round objects on the base. Secure
the largest round “ring” that has a predrilled hole on the bases’ bamboo
skewer with a small amount of tacky
glue to hold the bamboo skewer inside
the round piece.
10. Thin wire, twist ties, or yarn is used to
balance, to secure, and connect the
round objects together in a sculpture
that is 8-12 inches high. It is
important that the sculpture is secure,
balanced, and individual pieces no
longer shift when moved before
moving to the next step.
11. ¼ cup of mixed CelluClay is used by
each artist to completely cover the
wire/yarn connectors. It helps to have
a cup of water on hand to help smooth
the CelluClay after pressing it into the
joints and gaps.
12. The added CelluClay now needs to
dry completely (2-3 days of dry time
or overnight with a fan running across
the artwork pieces.) Once dry, the
student may leave the sculpture in its
rough state, or may use Acrylic Paint
to add color and visual texture to the
artwork. Added color should
contribute to the overall impact of the
artwork.
8. Closure
The student will draw from a still life arrangement of stackable ring toys and round object sculptures.
Author: Lauren Kolesar-Eatinger, Art Educator
ACTÍVA Products   |  [email protected]  |  www.activaproducts.com  |  903-938-2224
9. Assessment
Objective 1: The student will use their hands to mold and shape five round objects and a base.
5
10
15
20
The round objects are similar in size, the opening is smaller than
the diameter of a circle, and/or rough edges and surfaces are
evident. The base does not have a bamboo skewer prior to
drying.
25
30
35
The round objects vary in size, have an opening the diameter of
a quarter or larger, and are smoothed with care. The base is a
semicircle shape and includes a bamboo skewer prior to drying.
Objective 2: The student will adhere to safety expectations and material use requirements while sculpting with CelluClay.
5
10
15
Required redirection with regards to use of materials. Lack of
personal responsibility when cleaning, personal area: the floor,
the table, the chair area are not clean for the next class
member.
20
Avoided Celluclay reaching the sink area. Purposely utilized
materials to generate a round object sculpture. Personally
responsible for cleaning personal work area.
Objective 3: The student will be able to discuss their artwork and the artwork of others in the class in terms of positive-negative
space, balance, and movement.
5
10
15
Remarks during classroom discussion and critique do not reflect
an understanding of the vocabulary: positive-negative space,
balance, or movement.
Little to no participation in
discussion when prompted to contribute.
20
Uses the vocabulary: form, positive-negative space, and
movement when contributing to classroom discussion.
Participates in critique with thoughtful remarks.
Objective 4: The student will paint their sculpture with care and precision, using a color that contributes to the overall impact of
the artwork.
5
10
15
Paint application lacks neatness and completion. The color
choice takes away from the overall impact of the artwork. The
viewer’s eye “gets stuck” in one area of unintended emphasis.
20
25
Paint is applied with even coats, care, and precision. The color
choice contributes to the overall impact of the artwork. The
viewer’s eye is invited to look over the entire form without
“getting stuck” in one area.
Total ________/100
Comments:
Author: Lauren Kolesar-Eatinger, Art Educator
ACTÍVA Products   |  [email protected]  |  www.activaproducts.com  |  903-938-2224