Does the idea of having a substitute strike fear in your heart? Only with the most trusted art sub will I expect her/him to continue my on-going lessons, and then only with greatly detailed instructions left behind. For non-art subs, I tell them not try to continue my lessons, no matter how hard my students try to convince them otherwise.
This is one of my most successful substitute plans, based on a template that I leave, one per table to share. The template (drawn by me) fits on 12" x 18" white drawing paper. Students trace the pattern, draw a design in pencil first, then outline with marker, and finally color with colored pencils before cutting it out and assembling the cube. My directions ask that students come up with a detailed design that flows from one panel to another, realistic or abstract. Careful work means the activity will take more than one period, so students begin the project with the sub but finish it with me. I have used this lesson with grades 3-5 but it is certainly adaptable for higher grade levels.
If you have a favorite substitute lesson, please share it with us!
I'm thinking this just might be the project I will leave when I am gone to the NAEA convention in March. What an excellent idea that will keep the student's busy for the 3 day's I am gone.
ReplyDeleteI like the looks of this project except for one thing: one template to trace at each table? I'd really worry what the other 4 or 5 kids at the table are doing while one table-mate is drawing.
ReplyDeleteIt only takes about 30 seconds to trace around it....i would think. Give it as a challenge to them...The first table to get all trace first gets to line up first, or some silly little thing.
DeleteWow, thanks! I did something like this, using only b&w, with sharpies, on white oak tag and we glued 12" of string in the final piece. I taught it to 3 classes of 5th grade, about 75 student and all were hung from the ceiling. It was impressive and was the culmination of a unit on expressive line. Now that i am in middle school and think I could reintroduce it with a color element twist. Perhaps using complimentary, warm, cool colors, etc. My template looks a little more complicated that yours. I think yours looks simpler, less of an obstacle for the students. I am starting it this week.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Sounds like something I will definitely try.
ReplyDeleteSometimes when a sub is gone, I've left notes for "challenges." They are more team building and creative thinking, rather than just producing art. For example, each table is a "team"
1. - each team gets one piece of 18" x 24" piece of paper
- one pair of scissors
- the same length of masking tape (somewhere around 2 feet)
Object: make the longest line
2. same as above, but object: to create the largest standing tower. When it is "judging" time the tower has to stand up and now topple.
3. same as above, but object: to create the strongest bridge. Several items are weighed from lightest to heaviest at each table to determine the winner (pencil, roll of tape, stapler, etc.)
I have a bunch of activities similar to these. They don't necessarily produce something pretty, but is still definitely making them think outside the box. Sometimes I even do them if we have half a period to spare.
These are fantastic ideas! I would like to use some of these ideas at team builders in my classroom! Can I take them?
DeleteOf course - that's why I share them.
DeleteDo you have a template?
DeleteI leave photo copies of pages from some simple MaryAnn F Kohl lessons. I also like to use some lessons from the blog http://www.artforsmallhands.com/ because she does such a great job at breaking down the project. She even leaves examples of questions students might ask with possible answers provided.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify, I have one template (based on a four-inch square) for every three students. You can certainly make more - they last forever! It also works for students to help each other by one holding down the template while the other student traces it.
ReplyDeleteGREAT one! Thanks for sharing... I will post soon with sub lessons too. That is a good subject to blog about. Thanks!
ReplyDeletecan you post the template? or at least a diagram with measurements! I love this and would be great for when I go to NAEA in march!
ReplyDeleteI know it is based on four-inch squares. I'll take a picture of it tomorrow and post it.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I am in need of some emergency plans that are easy with little set up and supplies. I just used my emergency sub plans this week because I had Strep! SO, I need to replenish. I think I will use this for grades 3-6 and then have something similar but simplified for grades K-2. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic project and students will love it. I bet the substitute will be appreciative also.
ReplyDeleteI too like this substitute lesson. I teach middle school and would adapt the project by having student choose a theme to incorporate into their designs. Thanks, I am new to your site and love it!
ReplyDeleteDanielle, please post some student images when they are complete!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great, straightforward Sub lesson. As a former Sub myself, I always appreciated it when teachers left simple lesson plans for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is a marker-based sub lesson that has worked well for me in the past-suitable for Grades 4-9: http://afaithfulattempt.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-white-doodle-design.html
I will be using this one tomorrow! Thanks
DeleteHi.....I posted a link to this post on my blog: ArtSubLessons. www.artsublessons.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI posted a link to my blog at http://anewbridge.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI'll be posting my own sub lesson plans in a follow up post. It's smart to have a file of sub plans you can rely on for a day or a week of absence.
Thank you for posting these. I am heading to the Florida Art Education Association conference next week and am looking for new lessons to leave a sub. I like to leave simple, easy to follow lessons with minimal materials so a substitute will not be overwhelmed. I will be using this as my lesson for 3-5. Thank you again!
ReplyDeletePlease post a link or directions of how to make the box pattern!
ReplyDeletehi, I just saw this site. did you ever get a post of the box pattern?
DeleteI really LOVE this!!! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete