Activity 10:

Create It!

Objective:

Students will design and create a simple sculpture.

Materials:

Newspaper
Modeling clay
Large index card

Motivational Link:

Tell the students about Edgar Degas, the sculptor:

Edgar Degas began to lose his sight as he grew older. Because he could no longer see detail, he had to rely on what he could feel to create artwork. During this time in his life, he began creating sculptures. He did this for more than 50 years. Many artists say that sculpting is relaxing and helps us appreciate things more. Let's find out!

Activity:

Show students pictures of Degas' sculptures. Ask them to tell what they like about each one. Ask them to discuss how difficult or easy it must have been to do the sculpture while blind.
Place newspapers over the work areas and give each student some modeling clay.
Ask the students to share their work with the class, and explain why they chose the design they did.
Finish with a journal entry.

Extension:

Blindfold the students and ask them to recreate their sculpture without seeing. Have them compare the two.
Discuss what was different about doing it without sight. How did it feel? Was it harder or easier? What senses did they use? Did the two sculptures look similar? Are the proportions the same? Are the sizes the same?
Ask them to record their observations in their Adventure Journals.