Art Class for Special Needs

Art Class for Special Needs - Cardboard Sculpture

Last month, I took a long-term sub job for a friend of mine.  Twice a week, kindergarten and first grade age students who have autism, came to art for a half-hour each time.  When they arrived, we watched the video from YouTube to "Shake the Sillies Out."  After that, we went over to the demonstration table and I showed them how to glue a tower of cardboard shapes.

Early in my art teaching career, a special ed teacher requested that I do a lot of 3D lessons with her students.  She told me that this was something the kids rarely got to experience.  So, I've kept this in mind over my career and tried to incorporate more sculptural experiences in their art classes.

       


Before they arrived at the art room, I had chopped up a large corrugated box into a variety of shapes.  I had styrofoam trays full of glue.  I also had cut cardboard squares for sculpture bases.

The students dipped the surface of the cardboard shapes into the glue and stacked them upon each other.  They stacked them any way they liked.  Overnight the sculptures dried and the next day the students painted them.

Paper Sculpture as an Art Sub Plan

Paper sculpture, or dealing with glue and scissors, is not something I would leave for just any ole substitute teacher. If you have a trusted and true one though, that might be just fine.

I found these images online and am still looking for a fully written lesson to go with it. I have found some beautiful images though.

This first image is called an “abstract movement sculpture” and it can be found here:  Art with Mrs. Peroddy

The next one also has an image.  It's on an Artsonia page and has no written lesson plan, but I think you can formulate one fairly easily though.  

Here’s an idea from Artsonia that might make for a fun and easy sub lesson.

From exhibit "Paper Sculpture 310"
by Alejandra507 (Art ID #12901177)
from Scammon Elementary School grade 3
United States

Cubes Art Lesson as Art Sub Plan

Click here:  School Arts Room..... Art Sub Lesson

 

Click here: Update to this lesson