Wearable Arts Lesson Plan: Creating with Recycled Materials

Year 2 - New Zealand Curriculum

Subject: Art

Duration: 180 minutes

Class Size: 22 students

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Learning Objectives:

- Students will define and understand the concept of upcycling and recycling.
- Students will create wearable art using recycled materials.
- Students will develop their creativity and fine motor skills through hands-on activities.
- Students will discuss and reflect on their creative process and the importance of recycling.

New Zealand Curriculum Links:

- The Arts - Visual Arts at Level 1: Students will "explore a variety of materials and tools and discover elements and selected principles" and "share the ideas, feelings, and stories communicated by their own and others' objects and images" (NZ Curriculum - Visual Arts^(External link))

Resources:

- Variety of recycled materials (plastic bottles, fabric scraps, paper, cardboard, etc.)
- Scissors, glue, tape, string
- Paints and brushes
- Inspiration images of wearable arts
- Camera to document the process and finished products

Lesson Details:

Introduction (20 minutes)

- Discussion: What is recycling? What is wearable art? Introduce the concept of using recycled materials to create new, beautiful, and functional art.
- Inspiration: Show photos or videos from events like the Santa Monica Festival to see examples of wearable art.

Activity Part 1: Design Phase (40 minutes)

- Brainstorming session: Students discuss in groups what kind of wearable art they want to create. Some guided questions: What materials will you use? What are your favourite colours? What will be the theme of your creation?
- Sketching: Each student sketches their wearable art idea on paper.

Activity Part 2: Creation Phase (90 minutes)

- Materials Exploration: Students explore the materials available and select what they need for their project.
- Construction of Wearable Art: Under the guidance of the teacher, students start constructing their wearable art pieces using the chosen recycled materials. Teachers assist with technical challenges like cutting or assembling tough materials.
- Ongoing Reflection: Encourage students to think about the choices they make, asking them to consider why they are using certain materials and colours.

Conclusion and Sharing (30 minutes)

- Sharing Session: Students wear their creations and explain their artwork to the class. Discuss the challenges they faced and how they solved them.
- Group Reflection: Talk about the importance of recycling and how art can be made from repurposed materials.
- Display: Arrange for a display area where all wearable arts are showcased. Invite other classes or parents to view the gallery.

Evaluation:

- Peer Feedback: Students give feedback on each other's work, focusing on creativity, use of materials, and execution.
- Self-assessment: Each student reflects on their own work and writes down one thing they are proud of and one thing they would like to improve for next time.

Extension Activities:

- Create an online gallery of the students' work or a digital diary documenting the creation process.
- Plan a school-wide wearable arts show where students can parade their designs.

Teacher Notes:

- Ensure that all materials are safe and suitable for use by Year 2 students.
- Be ready to assist in tasks that might require more advanced motor skills (e.g., cutting thick cardboard).
- Tailor the complexity of the designs to the abilities of the students to keep the experience enjoyable and engaging.

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This lesson plan focuses on creativity, environmental awareness, and the practical reuse of materials, aligned with the New Zealand curriculum standards and tailored specifically for Year 2 students.