Middle School

The Essential Question
How can students repurpose materials to make a collaborative sculpture?

Objectives
Students will create animal sculptures using recycled materials.

Materials
shredded paper, paper towel rolls, newspaper strips, empty milk jugs, balloons, flour paste, masking tape, choice of acrylic or tempera paint

Procedures
1. Students work in teams of two to create a sculpture of a sheep or similar mammal. Students first create thumbnail sketches and use reference photos as needed.
2. To form the head and body of their sculpture, students inflate a balloon and tape it securely to a milk jug.
3. Students then cover the taped form with two layers of papiermâché (using flour paste and newspaper strips) and further shape the head and body of the animal.
4. When the sculptures are dry, paper towel rolls are taped to form the legs and other features. These are then covered with two to three layers of papier-mâché.
5. When creating sheep, students add texture to the bodies with paper shreds and use flour paste as an adhesive. This process could be adapted for creating other animals
6. Students paint their sculptures and add finishing touches and details.

Assessment
Students are assessed by the collaborative effort and skill they use in completing the sculptures.

Melody Weintraub is a retired art educator and art education supervisor for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.