Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.

Performance objectives

• Identify at least three different art materials.
• Show basic ways to work with paper, like tearing and folding.
• Create a simple artwork using paper techniques.
• Describe your artwork using words about texture and shape.

Lesson summary

Creative arts are a fantastic way to express ourselves and understand the world around us. In this first week, we will be diving into the exciting world of materials and techniques used in art. This is important because it helps us develop our creativity, problem-solving skills, and appreciation for the beauty in our everyday surroundings. Think about the vibrant colours of shweshwe fabric, the intricate patterns of beadwork, or the creative ways artists recycle materials – art is all around us in South Africa! By exploring different materials and techniques, we can discover new ways to express our unique perspectives and contribute to our communities' rich artistic heritage.

Lesson notes

Let's explore the wonderful world of materials and techniques! Materials are what we use to make art. Techniques are the different ways we use those materials. This week, our main focus is paper.

Materials: Paper Paper is a very versatile material!

It comes in many forms: Newspaper: Recycled paper that's great for practicing techniques and making large-scale artworks. Think about using newspaper to create a giant papier-mâché animal!

Construction Paper: Comes in many colours and is good for cutting, gluing, and drawing. Imagine using different coloured construction paper to make a collage of a South African landscape.

Tissue Paper: Thin and delicate, perfect for layering and creating translucent effects. Think about making colourful tissue paper flowers.

Cardboard: Strong and sturdy, ideal for building structures or creating textured surfaces. You could use cardboard to make a model of your house!

Techniques for Manipulating Paper: Tearing: Ripping paper into different shapes. This creates a rough, uneven edge.

Why it matters:* Tearing adds texture and a natural, organic feel to artwork. Imagine tearing colourful paper to create the leaves of a tree.

Crumpling: Squishing and wrinkling paper to create texture.

Why it matters:* Crumpling adds depth and dimension to the paper. You could crumple paper to create the texture of rocks or mountains.

Folding: Creating creases in paper.

Why it matters:* Folding allows us to create symmetrical designs and 3D forms. Think about folding paper to make an origami bird or a paper aeroplane.

Cutting: Using scissors to create specific shapes.

Why it matters:* Cutting gives us precise control over the forms we create. You could cut out shapes of animals or people to create a scene.

Rolling: Forming paper into a tube or cylinder.

Why it matters:* Rolling creates strong structural elements. Imagine rolling paper to create the trunk of a tree or the pillars of a building.

Layering: Placing pieces of paper on top of each other.

Why it matters:* Layering creates depth, texture and interesting colour combinations. Think about layering different colours of tissue paper to create a sunset scene.

Worked example

Torn Paper Landscape: Tear different shades of blue construction paper to create a sky, green for grass, and brown for the ground. Glue them onto a larger sheet of paper, overlapping the pieces slightly.

Explanation:* This example uses tearing to create a textured landscape, resembling the South African veld.

Crumpled Paper Flowers: Crumple small pieces of coloured tissue paper into balls. Glue them onto a piece of paper to form flower heads. Draw stems and leaves with a marker.

Explanation:* This example uses crumpling to add dimension and texture to the flower heads. It allows learners to explore different colours and shapes.

Folded Paper Fan: Fold a piece of paper accordion-style. Fold it in half and glue the bottom edges together to create a fan. Decorate with markers or crayons.

Explanation:* This example demonstrates folding and its practical application. Fans are commonly used in South Africa, especially during hot summers.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: What are three different types of paper you could use for an art project?

Solution: Three types of paper you could use are newspaper, construction paper, and tissue paper.

Commentary: This question tests the learner's ability to recall different types of paper and their suitability for art.