Lesson Plan
Relief Sculpture Adventure!
Students will be able to define relief sculpture and create a cardboard relief artwork of an animal or landscape using various cutting and layering techniques.
Understanding relief sculpture expands students' artistic vocabulary and introduces them to three-dimensional art forms, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills in a hands-on way.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through demonstration and guided practice, students will design and construct a cardboard relief.
Materials
Cardboard pieces (various sizes, recycled is great!), Scissors or utility knives (with adult supervision if needed), White glue or hot glue guns (with adult supervision), Pencils, Rulers, Cutting mats (if using utility knives), Relief Project Guide, Relief Project Rubric, Warm-Up: What Pops Out?, and Cool-Down: Relief Reflection
Prep
Gather Materials & Review Resources
15 minutes
- Gather a variety of cardboard pieces, scissors/utility knives, glue, pencils, rulers, and cutting mats.
- Review the Relief Project Guide and Relief Project Rubric to ensure familiarity with project expectations.
- Prepare the classroom for hands-on work, ensuring sufficient space and safety considerations for cutting tools.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Begin with the Warm-Up: What Pops Out? activity to introduce the concept of relief.
- Introduce the concept of relief sculpture using the Relief Sculpture Slide Deck and discuss examples of animal and landscape reliefs.
Step 2
Design & Plan
10 minutes
- Distribute the Relief Project Guide.
- Students will sketch their animal or landscape idea on a base piece of cardboard.
- Discuss how to think in layers and different depths for their relief.
Step 3
Construction Phase 1
10 minutes
- Students begin cutting out their first layers of cardboard.
- Demonstrate safe use of scissors and utility knives.
- Guide students on how to layer and glue pieces to create depth.
Step 4
Clean-Up & Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Instruct students to clean up their workspaces.
- Conclude the lesson with the Cool-Down: Relief Reflection activity.
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Slide Deck
What's Popping Out?
Have you ever seen art that isn't flat, but isn't quite a full statue either? Today, we're going to explore 'relief sculpture'!
Welcome students and get them ready to explore a new art form! Ask them to think about things that stick out from a surface.
What is Relief Sculpture?
Relief sculpture is a type of sculpture that projects from a background surface.
Think of it like:
- A coin
- A carving on a wall
- Something that 'pops out'!
Explain that 'relief' comes from the Latin word 'relevo,' meaning to raise. Show examples like coins, ancient Egyptian carvings, or even intricate cakes.
Layers of Depth
Relief sculptures can have different amounts of 'pop':
- Low Relief: Just a little bit raised, like a coin.
- High Relief: Sticks out a lot, almost like it's 3D!
We'll be creating layers to show this depth.
Introduce the idea that reliefs have different depths: high relief (projects a lot) and low relief (projects a little). For this project, they'll be focusing on creating layers.
Cardboard Creations
We'll be using cardboard to make our own relief sculptures!
Why cardboard?
- It's easy to cut and layer.
- It's recyclable!
- You can create amazing textures and shapes.
Discuss how cardboard is an accessible and versatile material for this project. Emphasize using different shapes and sizes to create interest.
Ideas & Inspiration
What could you create?
- Animals: A roaring lion, a majestic eagle, a playful dolphin.
- Landscapes: Mountains and valleys, a bustling city skyline, a serene forest.
Think about how you can use layers to make your chosen subject come alive!
Show images of various animal and landscape reliefs made from cardboard or similar materials to inspire students. Point out how artists create detail and depth.
Your Project Plan
- Sketch it Out: Plan your animal or landscape on your base cardboard.
- Cut Your Shapes: Cut out the different parts of your design.
- Layer Up: Start gluing your pieces to create depth.
- Make it Pop! Add details and refine your relief.
Briefly go over the steps they'll take: sketch, cut, layer, glue. Reinforce safety with cutting tools.
Get Ready to Create!
Today, we're focusing on the form and depth of your relief.
Have fun, be creative, and let your imagination take shape!
Encourage creativity and remind them that the goal is to experiment and learn a new technique. They can always add color later if time permits, but the focus is on form.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: What Pops Out?
Think about your favorite animal or a beautiful landscape you've seen. How could you make it
Cool Down
Cool-Down: Relief Reflection
1. What was the most challenging part of creating your cardboard relief today?
2. What is one new thing you learned about sculpture or working with cardboard?
3. If you were to continue this project, what would you add or change about your relief?
Project Guide
Cardboard Relief Sculpture Project Guide
Objective
Create a relief sculpture of an animal or landscape using cardboard layers to show depth.
Materials
- Cardboard pieces (various sizes)
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors or utility knife (with teacher supervision)
- White glue or hot glue gun (with teacher supervision)
Steps to Success
Step 1: Brainstorm & Sketch (5 minutes)
- Choose an animal or landscape you want to create.
- On a base piece of cardboard, lightly sketch your main idea. Think about the overall shape and how it will fit on your cardboard.
- Consider what parts of your design will stick out the most (high relief) and what parts will be flatter (low relief).
Step 2: Plan Your Layers (5 minutes)
- Think about your design in terms of layers. What parts are closest to you? What parts are further away?
- You will cut separate pieces of cardboard for each layer. The more layers you add, the more your sculpture will
Rubric
Cardboard Relief Project Rubric
| Criteria | 4 - Exceeds Expectations | 3 - Meets Expectations | 2 - Developing | 1 - Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craftsmanship | Artwork is meticulously constructed; all cuts are clean, and layers are securely attached. | Artwork is well-constructed; cuts are mostly clean, and layers are generally secure. | Artwork shows some effort in construction; cuts may be uneven, and layers might be loose. | Artwork is poorly constructed; cuts are messy, and layers are not securely attached. |
| Use of Relief | Effectively utilizes multiple layers to create distinct high and low relief, demonstrating strong understanding of depth. | Successfully uses layers to create noticeable depth, showing a good understanding of relief. | Attempts to create depth with layers, but the distinction between high and low relief is limited. | Minimal or no attempt to create depth through layering; artwork appears mostly flat. |
| Creativity/Originality | Project demonstrates exceptional creativity and a unique interpretation of the animal or landscape theme. | Project demonstrates creativity and a personal interpretation of the animal or landscape theme. | Project shows some creative ideas but may lack originality or personal touch. | Project lacks creativity and closely resembles examples, with little personal input. |
| Effort/Engagement | Student was highly engaged throughout the process, showing strong effort and problem-solving skills. | Student was engaged and completed the project with good effort. | Student showed some engagement and completed most of the project with minimal effort. | Student showed minimal engagement and did not complete the project or put in sufficient effort. |
Script
Relief Sculpture Adventure! Script
Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, artists! Today, we're going on an adventure into the world of sculpture. We're going to explore art that literally 'pops out' at you! Let's start with our Warm-Up: What Pops Out? activity. Take a moment to think about your favorite animal or a beautiful landscape. How could you make it 'pop out' from a flat surface? Jot down your ideas.
(Allow 1-2 minutes for students to write.)
Teacher: "Now, turn to a partner and share your ideas. What did you imagine?"
(Allow 1-2 minutes for sharing.)
Teacher: "Great ideas! We're going to be talking about something called 'relief sculpture.' Have you ever heard of it? (Pause for responses). Let's take a look at the Relief Sculpture Slide Deck to learn more."
Introduce Relief Sculpture & Project (10 minutes)
Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 1: What's Popping Out?) We're going to explore how artists create art that isn't completely flat, but isn't a full 3D statue either. It's a fantastic way to add dimension to your artwork."
Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 2: What is Relief Sculpture?) A relief sculpture is a type of sculpture that projects from a background surface. Think about a coin – the image on it is raised, right? That's a form of low relief. Or imagine a carving on an ancient temple wall. The figures stand out from the stone. That's what we'll be doing today with cardboard!"
Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 3: Layers of Depth) There are different kinds of relief. Low relief, like a coin, is just slightly raised. High relief sticks out much more, almost like a full 3D object is coming out of the background. For our project, we'll be using layers of cardboard to create this depth. The more layers, the more it 'pops'!"
Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 4: Cardboard Creations) Why cardboard? It's an amazing material! It's easy to cut, layer, and you can create incredible textures and shapes. Plus, we can use recycled cardboard, which is great for the environment."
Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 5: Ideas & Inspiration) For your project, you'll choose to create either an animal or a landscape. Think about how you can use different shapes and layers of cardboard to make your chosen subject really come alive. Imagine a mountain range with peaks at different heights, or an animal with fur that seems to stand out."
Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 6: Your Project Plan) Here's a quick overview of our steps: First, you'll brainstorm and sketch your idea. Then, you'll cut out the different parts of your design. After that, you'll start layering and gluing to create depth. Finally, you'll add details to make it truly yours."
Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 7: Get Ready to Create!) Today, our main focus is on creating the form and depth of your relief using cardboard. You can always add color later if we have more time. I'm excited to see what you create!"
Teacher: "Now, I'm handing out the Relief Project Guide. This guide has all the steps and requirements for your project. Please review it carefully. Also, take a look at the Relief Project Rubric so you know how your work will be assessed."
Design & Plan (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, artists! With your Relief Project Guide in hand, let's start the design process. On a base piece of cardboard, I want you to lightly sketch your chosen animal or landscape. Don't press too hard, as you might want to make changes. Think about the biggest shapes first. Then, think about which parts will be 'low relief' (just a little raised) and which parts will be 'high relief' (sticking out a lot). This is where you think in layers!"
(Circulate, offering individual feedback and guidance. Encourage students to consider at least 2-3 layers of depth in their designs.)
Construction Phase 1 (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Now that you have your designs, it's time to start building! Remember, safety first when using scissors or utility knives. If you're using a utility knife, make sure you have a cutting mat underneath and always cut away from yourself. Start by cutting out the largest, most background pieces of your design. Then, begin to cut out the next layer, and so on. As you cut, start to glue your pieces onto your base cardboard, building up the layers. Think about how each piece contributes to the overall depth of your relief."
(Circulate, providing support with cutting and gluing techniques. Remind students to apply glue evenly and hold pieces in place until they are secure.)
Clean-Up & Cool-Down (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Artists, we're almost out of time for today. Please begin to clean up your workspaces. Put away all tools, recycle any scrap cardboard, and make sure your area is tidy."
(Allow 2-3 minutes for clean-up.)
Teacher: "Before you go, let's wrap up with our Cool-Down: Relief Reflection activity. Please answer the questions on the handout. This will help you think about what you learned and how you approached today's project. Your answers will also help me understand what worked well and what we might need to revisit."
(Collect cool-down sheets as students leave or complete them.)
Teacher: "Fantastic work today, everyone! I'm really impressed with your initial ideas and how you tackled building your relief sculptures. We'll continue with these projects next time!"