Project Details
Introduction:
This project can be done with students as young as kindergarten, but can also be used with older students. See how sophisticated students can make their houses. Teachers should discuss the life of Frank Lloyd Wright and show examples of his architecture. Basic architectural vocabulary will be explained to students. Discuss the element of texture and its qualities. Teachers will demonstrate how to build houses and provide a sample that students can view. Students will really have fun creating their homes, hopefully you will too!
Lesson Plan Ideas
Developed by: Noelle Burns
Objectives:
Students will:
- Be introduced to the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Understand the basic design of a house.
- Create a two-story home using the knowledge learned in the first two objectives.
- Gain experience using lines, shapes, and textures to create the parts of a house.
Vocabulary:
- Architect
- Architecture
- Bricks
- Chimney
- Fieldstone
- Gable
- Roof
- Shingles
- Shutters
- Sidewalk
- Texture (Rough and Smooth)
- Windows
National Standards
A.4.2 — Learn basic vocabulary related to their study of art.
B.4.1 — Understand that artists and cultures throughout history have used art to communicate ideas and to develop functions, structures, and designs.
C.4.7 — Develop basic skills to produce quality art.
D.4.2 — Know about artists and designers, such as architects, furniture designers, critics, preservationists, museum curators, and gallery owners, in their community.
E.4.2 — Communicate basic ideas by producing design art forms, such as graphic design, product design, architecture, landscape, and media arts, such as film, photography, and multimedia.
H.4.3 — Show differences among colors, shapes, textures, and other qualities of objects in their artwork.
H.4.4 — Create three-dimensional forms with paper, clay, and other materials.
L.4.4 — Understand that art is created by people and changes our time and culture.
Steps
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Stuff a paper bag with newspaper 2⁄3 full, and then fold over the top and staple. (Hint: do not overstuff the bags.) Glue the bottom of the bag to a 14″ x 17″ piece of brown, heavy cardboard. Let dry. Use smaller bags and smaller cardboard pieces if you do not want the houses very big.
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Use the 12″ x 18″ Tru-Ray® fade-resistant Construction Paper for the roofs. Teachers should provide cutout chimneys which are 1″-2″ taller than the bag. Students will use texture rubbing plates and crayons to add bricks, shingles, and cobblestone onto the roof and chimney.
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The roof can then be stapled to the top of the bag. Make a small cut on the roof so the chimney can be glued to the side and pulled through the roof to secure it.
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Provide rectangle shingles and doors along with windows for the house. Students choose their colors after discussing how people often match the color of their home to the roof or chimney. Add details with a black fine-line marker or rubbing plates, such as a sidewalk with stones, wood sections in the windows, or lines for shutters.
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Use the Fiskars® paper crimper and green Tru-Ray® fade-resistant Construction Paper to give your grass some extra detail. The bottom of the paper will have to be folded over just a little so the paper can be glued to the base. Then follow a crimp to make a wavy top and make cuts for the grass. Glue the uncut folded piece to the cardboard.
Tips:
- Take this project even farther and have students add air-dry clay objects to the lawn, such as a pet dog or cat!
- Make group projects by having groups of 5-10 students display their houses as a neighborhood.
- Make roads or even have the circus come to town by adding air-dry clay objects. Enjoy the compliments!