Paper Maché (Papier Maché) Lesson Ideas
Elementary through Middle School

Submitted by Linda Woods, St. John's Lower School , Houston  Texas
UNIT: Recycling - Paper Maché - Sculpture
Grade Level: upper elementary thru middle school (Examples shown are by fifth graders)

When a Chair is More than A Chair.....

When is a Box more than a Box?

click images for larger views

Retablos - Shrines

Materials:

Corrugated cardboard, masking tape, newspaper, newsprint (brown paper bags or brown paper toweling), wheat paste (flour paste or Elmer's mixed with water), acrylic paint (latex house paint or tempera), brushes, embellishments. For chairs: Cardboard tubes, cardboard cones. For Boxes: Sturdy gift boxes with lids.

General Procedures:

1. Make sketches of project - select best for construction
2. Cut corrugated cardboard (may have parent helpers for this step).
3. Build armature - cover with masking tape to prevent warping. Large areas can be covered with aluminum foil
4. Apply several layers of paper maché - newspapers - with final layer a solid color (brown paper bags, brown paper toweling or white newsprint).
5. Paint with acrylics when dry (latex house paints and temperA may also be used)
6. Add embellishments

Alternate idea - Chairs "in the style of....."

The Scream Chair by Linda Woods Construct chairs (using the above materials) inspired by a master artist. Do research for that artist and present to the class. Many lessons are on line for Chairs "in the style of..." This chair is now a focal point in Linda's corner for "naughty boys and girls" that is their sign in book (Guest Book) on the seat of the chair.

Submitted by Linda Hoffelt, Mickelson Middle School, Brookings, South Dakota
UNIT: Sculpture - Artists Research
Lesson: Shoes "In the style of....."
Grade level: Middle School (adaptable to elementary)  

Frank Lloyd Wright                                   Pablo Picasso                 René Magritte - click for larger images

Materials:

Corrugated cardboard, newspapers, wheat paste (or flour paste), masking tape, wire, acrylic paints, brushes. Miscellaneous extras/embellishments as needed.

Procedures:

Students research an artist of their choice (supply a list of suitable artists from which to choose). Larger than life shoes are created using the artists works as inspiration. Students make sketches - then plan their armature. Cut out armature - tape together - pad with newspapers. Apply layers of paper maché. Paint when dry. Add embellishments. Alternate idea: Design a shoe for an entertainer.

A "Know the artist" poster is made to go with this project.

Alternate Lesson from Linda Hoffelt -Artists' Hats "in the style of...."

       
Salvador Dali                                             Roy Lichtenstein                Poster

Students drew a name of the artist, did research on the artist and reserch on different kind of hat styles.  They worked with a partner, built a frame with cardboard, paper mached and painted. some added embellishments other than paint.  They had to make a poster and give a
presentation to the class about the artist and how their hat was representational of the artist's style.

Note from Judy Decker: Rather than trying to find Art hats "in the style of" as examples..... I would look at hats from many cultures. Look at the reasons for hats - the symbolism and status. Look at the Tlingit Clan hats - Yoruba Crowns....Helmet masks (like Gelede masks)..... Pre-Columbian cultures exotic head wear....etc. Hats through time....Here  is a very good site on African Head wear from National Museum of African Art.
http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/hatssite/hatsmain.htm
http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/hatssite/nonflash/hats.htm

Here is a link to History of Hats from Canadian Museum
of Civilizations:
http://www.civilization.ca/hist/hats/hat00eng.html

This link might be helpful:
http://www.costumes.org/HISTORY/100pages/hats.htm#History

Here is a clever title for your lesson:
What's Your Hat-itude About Art? or Your Hat-itude

Hats off to you....Have some fun.

See Sculptural Headwear from 8th grade students at Germantown Academy, Pennsylvania.

Homage to 20th Century Artists - Sculptural Headpiece

"The culminating art project in 8th grade this year is to create a
sculptural headpiece in homage to a 20th century artist. This project
gives students the opportunity to work with a vast array of materials,
experiment with new processes, and explore innovative solutions. In
addition the classes learn about art history in an integrative way,
combining research with hands-on application and understanding through
art making. The student's job is to determine what they want to make
and the teacher helps with how to do it."

Texture Landscapes with Paper Maché Pulp from Greg Hogan

[ELEMENTARY LESSON PLANS] [MIDDLE SCHOOL LESSON PLANS]