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Symbolic Paper Cut Art Lesson Plan

Subject /Grade level: 9-12 Art Unit/Art History/Culture: Elements of Art: line, space, shape, Unity; Native American culture Standards 1.0: Students know and apply visual arts media, techniques, and processes. 1.5.2 Examine how different media, techniques, and processes cause different responses 1.3.3 Use different media, techniques, and processes to produce works of art. 2.0 Students use knowledge of visual characteristics, purposes, and functions. 3.5.1 Discuss how subject matter, symbols, and ideas produce meanings in works of art. 3.5.2 Produce a work of art that demonstrates the ability to convey meaning by integrating subject matter and symbols with ideas. 3.5.3 Explain the way subject matter, symbols, and ideas are chosen to present meaning in student artwork. 4.3.2 Identify works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, or places. Content Objective(s) Students will create thoughtful, symmetrical nature designs through traditional paper cut techniques and Native American symbols. Students will study a list of animals and their meanings before committing to imagery that visually expresses their personal ideology. Students will choose at least 2 different animals to place in a natural setting based around the central focus of a tree. Students paper will be folded lengthwise to achieve symmetry and balance. Students cutting skills will be developed and refined as the negative space is gradually eliminated leaving detailed positive space to open and adhere to painted backgrounds. Key Vocabulary Contour Line Shapes Space Symbols Native American Philosophy Paper Cut Positive Space Negative Space Symmetry Materials Pencil, Eraser, 2 sheets each of 18x24 white or black Construction Paper, Exacto Knives, Cutting Boards, Watercolor (background wash), Glue Sticks, Native American Animal meanings, Animal Silhouettes

Technology Integration Overhead Projector, Powerpoint, Video Time 90 minutes o Students are asked to choose at least 3 different animals that they identify with from the list provided based on characteristics shared. o Students are instructed to fold one, blank sheet of 18x24 construction paper in half lengthwise and place the folded edge on the left if right handed and on the right if left handed. o It is very important that students work from the folded side to create a symmetrical design when opened.

2 o Students are instructed to draw half a tree-like shape and include at least 2 animal symbols within the line drawing. Students will be cutting out the negative space so any drawing needs to be in shapes. o The most interesting designs have lots of different shapes. o It helps to make squiggly lines in the negative space to better see the positive space. o It is critical that all of the elements are connected for one unified cut out. o On a scratch sheet of paper, students draw a heart and a square shape with their pencil. Students are shown how to handle their exacto knives and make their practice cut outs. Students are instructed to treat their exacto knives in the same manner as any other knife or sharp object. Any misuse is an automatic removal of the tool and scissors can be used as a replacement or in the case of severe misbehavior, the project is replaced with worksheets. o Once students have cut out simple shapes, bubble letters are drawn with a pencil and then cut out to gradually practice more intricate cuts. o After the cutting demonstration, students collect new sheets of 18x24 white construction paper and paint a wash using watercolor and water for the background in a color or colors that are consistent with their visual story (think about animal meanings and tree designs). The backgrounds are set aside to dry. o 90 minutes o o o o o Students begin cutting their artwork where the details are the finest with the exacto knife, gradually eliminating negative space. Students should open their work to see the results in progress. For large areas scissors can be used to speed up the process. Students continue to cut until they are left with only positive space that is unified and completely connected together. Students open up their artwork to see a symmetrical image. The cutout is glued onto their washed backgrounds using glue sticks, working from the bottom up, lining up all of the corners for even placement at the base. The artwork can be ironed or pressed to flatten the image for display. Make sure the ironing takes place on the back of the artwork after everything is glued.

90 minutes

Closure/Review/Assessment Students are able to view each others work and discuss the differences and inspiration. Students artwork is assessed on the following criteria:

Paper will be folded lengthwise, working from the folded edge. Students will draw half of a detailed tree with land and include at least 2 animal images. Students will use exacto knives and cardboard backing to cut away negative space.

3 Students will open their artwork when finished cutting to find a symmetrical, nature scene expressing their creativity and personal meaning through symbols. Students will paint a creative background on a separate paper using a wash or other technique. Students will adhere their artwork onto their background lining up the bottom of the art to fit perfectly on the background using glue sticks.