CyberMuse Teachers - Lesson Plans
Joe Fafard

Lesson Plan Activity:
The World Around Me: Grade 7-8

Summary

Description:

Joe Fafard is a sculptor best known for creating objects, which pay homage to, and take inspiration from, his community, and farm life. He is equally well know for his intricate sculptures of individuals, be they artists, writers, theorists, politicians, strangers or friends. In this lesson students will define and describe with reference to art works the principles of design (emphasis, balance, rhythm, unity, variety, proportion) and produce an artwork of personal significance.

Theory:

The student?s choice of medium will demonstrate an understanding that the size, scope and intent of an artwork will determine which tools, materials and techniques the artist will use.

Creation:

Students will use with confidence experiences from their physical environments as a basis for visual expression.

Analysis:

Students will use appropriate art vocabulary and terminology related to materials, processes and technologies.

Cross Curriculum Links:

This lesson plan also explores the subject areas of Language Arts, Social Studies and Humanities.

Duration:

4 40-minute periods, plus home work (5 hours of observation)

Look & Discuss

Present and discuss a selection of the 5 featured artworks in the Artwork & Artists slideshow with your class.(Tabs will provide you with information on the theme, composition, interpretation and the artist.)

  • Have the students investigate the NGC Joe Fafard website.
  • Lead a class discussion focusing on the following statement: Joe Fafard, as an artist was greatly influenced by the world which surrounded him. Students should use the artists sculptures and information from the website as a foundation for their comments.
  • Introduce the Principles of design.

Materials

    • A journal for observations
    • Materials based on the students project plan:
      • Collage materials
      • Sculpture Materials: wood, clay, paper mache, stone
      • Painting or drawing materials
      • Photo montage materials: pencils, paper, paints, photograph
      • Textiles cloth, thread

Preparation Tasks

Ensure that all students have access to the internet.

Create

Create Activity Image 1

Have each student select a local area,(a park, a mall, a farm etc.,). Have them visit their selected site for an hour of observation for 5 consecutive weeks. Have them keep a journal of observations. Observations should be made through a combination of sketches and written text. Students should then select an overarching theme/idea based on their 5 hours of observation.

Create Activity Image 2

Have students plan an artwork, which addresses this theme/idea. This plan should include a choice of medium, which clearly links to the theme/idea that they are addressing.

 

Create Activity Image 3

Have students execute their artworks based on their plans. Have students present their observation journals and artworks to the class. In their presentation they should address their choice of medium and process of creation.

Take it Further

  • Pair students together. Have the students visit each other?s selected sites for an hour. During their time at this new site they should keep a journal of their observations. Observations should be made through a combination of sketches and written text. Have the students discuss the different observations they made at each other?s sites.
  • Lead a class discussion centred on the experience founded on the question ?Do you think people observe the world/situations differently? Why??

Assessment Guide

1 2 3

Theory Criterion
Does the student?s choice of medium relate to the overall intent of their artwork?

There is no link between the student?s choice of medium and the intent of their artwork.

There is a link between the student?s choice of medium and the intent of their artwork.

There is a well defined link between the student?s choice of medium and the intent their artwork.

Creation Criterion
Does the student use experiences from their physical environments as a basis for visual expression?

The student uses 0 experiences from their physical environments as a basis for visual expression.

The student uses 1-2 experiences from their physical environments as a basis for visual expression.

The student uses 3-4 experiences from their physical environments as a basis for visual expression.

Analysis Criterion
Does the student express ideas related to their artwork using appropriate art vocabulary and terminology related to materials, processes and technologies?

The student uses 1-2 examples of appropriate art vocabulary and terminology related to materials, processes and technologies when expressing ideas related to their artwork.

The student uses 3- 4 examples of appropriate art vocabulary and terminology related to materials, processes and technologies when expressing ideas related to their artwork.

The student uses 5-7 examples of appropriate art vocabulary and terminology related to materials, processes and technologies when expressing ideas related to their artwork.