wipAdirondack Curriculum Project - www.adkcurriculum.org tested
NYS Content Area Standard

√Arts
Standard 2. Knowing & Using Materials & Resources

 Title: Paper making with Plant Life from the Adriondack Region
Grade Level: 6th, 7th, & 8th

Author: Terry A. Huff

Email: terhuff@hotmail.com
 Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
_√_ Natural History
___ Human History
_√_ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue: How can natural materials found in the Adirondacks be used to make paper (embellished with additional natural materials) to reflect an Adirondack landscape?

Challenge:  
Design an Adirondack landscape (mountains, valleys) using plant clippings on handmade paper (pulp will be pre-prepared) that will be folded accordian book style.

Quality Standards:  

THIS ADIRONDACK CHALLENGE INCLUDES A ONE DAY RESIDENCY DESIGNED TO BE TAUGHT BY THE ART TEACHER AND A VISITING ARTIST. EIGHTEEN GIFTED ART STUDENTS WERE SELECTED TO WORK ALONG WITH A SPECIAL NEEDS CLASS (BOCES 8-1-1).THESE STUDENTS WILL WORK ONE SCHOOL DAY TO COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE.
* Introduction and outline of the day.
* Discussion of the significance of the "blue line".
*View slides of Adirondack photos and painted landscapes.  Use "Celebrating the Adirondacks Forever Wild" CD by Sandra Hildreth (Adirondack Curriculum Project).
* Students will be given a brief history of  timber industry in the Adirondacks and paper making.
* Use team building exercise to get group acquainted and prepared to work cooperatively.
*Students will colllect plants and clippings in the area during a short walk around the school grounds. On the   walk we will discuss local plant life.
*Return to the classroom for instruction and demonstation of the handmade paper.
*Make paper and embellish while wet with collected plant life.
* Further embellish the landscape with a blue horizon line using blue hemp.
*Let paper dry (ironing may be necessary for time control).
* Assemble final project by folding and hinging paper and attaching covers. Covers optional.
*CLOSURE: Discuss our new knowledge about the Adirondacks, set up and critique work regarding the process and outcome.
* Finished work will be displayed at Night of the Arts if schedule permits, or at an evening event open to the public. EXAMPLES OF STUDENT PROJECTS
Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC ©ACP 2002

   Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________                                                                     Class Period: ________
Product Author(s):

 
 Product Title/Name:
Paper-making with Plant Life from the Adirondack Region
Evaluator Name(s)
 
 Observed Standard/Criteria
Possible
Points
Rating
   Students collect plant life  5  
   Student works cooperatively  15  
   Paper is proper thickness and is uniform  20  
   Mountains are incorporated in the landscape design on the hand made paper  15  
   Plant clippings are used to enhanse and reflect the landscape design  15   
   Construction of the final book is neat and shows good composition and use of colored pulp.   15  
   Blue hemp or cotton cord is used to represent blue line.
  15  
       
       
       
       
 
TOTALS
  100  

Comments: Velma Bolyard was the artist-in-residence and we were so pleased with the outcome of this project. Everyone worked well together, and it was a productive, enjoyable day. If repeated, I think two half days would work better to allow the paper to dry. The BOCES students did both blend well and work well with the gifted students. Many commented on the team building exercises.

We did two great team building starters. 1. Put 20+ students on a 5X6 foot rug and they had to turn it over without touching the floor. 2. Students, teachers and helpers formed a circle and a BLUE cord was passed person to person with  pieces of deer antler on it to make a braclet for everyone.
nyscaArts Forever Wild 2: Adirondack Artists-in-Residence
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