Introductory Activity : Have the students identify examples of relief sculpture in the classroom. A globe might have raised images, they will find images in books that are embossed or raised, a coin, raised images on bottles or jars, etc.
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Body : Prepare cardboard for each student, and pre-cut foil 2" larger than cardboard on all sides.
For a nature relief, take students on a nature walk to collect leaves, twigs, blades of grass, feathers (be sure to handle carefully and wash hands), tree bark of different textures, seeds and other interesting items. Teach children to respect nature by asking them to only pick up things that have fallen - not to pick flowers or remove leaves from trees.
To incorporate letters or numbers, provide die cuts and fun foam shapes of different sized letters and numbers. Students can also write with string.
To allow the students free access to create art of their own choosing, provide a wide assortment of all of the above, plus fun foam and scissors so they can cut their own shapes. Also provide string, felt, textured paper, small cardboard shapes, newspaper to bunch up and crinkle into different shapes, paper clips - whatever you can find!
Encourage children to draw a simple design on their cardboard square. Some children will prefer to make their art abstract, diving right into the assortment of treasures you provide for their sculpture.
Students will use glue to adhere items to their cardboard. Encourage children to use a variety of objects of different sizes, shapes, and textures.
Lightly brush glue over all objects and cardboard. Help students cover their cardboard with foil, but don't tuck edges behind yet.
Gently press foil over and around objects, beginning in the center, taking care not to tear the foil. Use the rounded end of a paintbrush to get into edges, and a fairly stiff, dry paint brush to press foil into detailed textures, such as leaves.
Fold edges of foil neatly behind cardboard, and glue a string hanger to back.
If desired, water down acrylic paint, then brush over entire foil image. Immediately wipe lightly with a damp, soft cloth or paper towels. The paint will stay in the crevises, and the raised areas will shine.
Have children sign their name with a dull pencil, leaving an impression in the foil, but not pressing so hard as to tear it.
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Evaluation Activity : Have the children look at each piece of art. Ask them to identify items that worked well, look interesting, or have a lot of detail.
Ask students to identify objects hidden under the foil.
Also have them identify objects that didn't work so well, and discuss why (not enough texture, too flat, etc).
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