Playground Shape Art Elements
Submitted by: Stormey Kasser
Title of Lesson: Replay
Grade level: Third Grade
Goals / Objectives:
Students will use their observational skills as they observe and discern different geometric shapes, art elements of line and space, and art principles of emphasis and balance found within the construction of their playground equipment. The students will analyze playground equipment, identifying the various elements incorporated in the construction of the pieces.
They will then create an original piece of artwork depicting one or more pieces of playground equipment from re-used items such as meat trays, drink cartons, straws, etc., incorporating those geometric figures they have identified.
The students will incorporate mathematical knowledge of geometric figures with elements and principles of art as they increase their knowledge of the presence/use of geometric shapes in their environment.
The students will become more aware of the artistic concepts of line, shape, emphasis, and balance as they are used within their environment.
The student will associate concrete ideas with appropriate vocabulary.
Materials Needed:
Each child will need:
Clear tape
Styrofoam Trays
and various reclaimed/ready to reuse/recycled items such as straws, drink cartons, felt/fun foam/paper/yarn scraps, egg crates, and Pipe Cleaners
Download the Word Version of this Lesson 
Lesson Description:
Set up: Place supply baskets with pencils, scissors and glue alongside baskets of ready to use items. Each table will need one of each basket. Set these on counter for table helper to pick up when class returns from playground.
Whole class discussion of art and geometry vocabulary.
Preview project and procedure with class prior to taking them, as a group, to the playground area.
Each student will take a pencil and clipboard with paper on it outside.
Students will analyze playground equipment and identify geometric figures they see within the construction, as well as the elements and principles of art discussed. (Model one or two examples.)
Students will draw on their paper at least three geometric shapes they have identified, as well as an example of each art element and principle.
On returning to the classroom (as a group), students will return to their seats, and the table helper will pick up a set of supply baskets for their table.
Students will use a meat tray as a base in which to build one piece of playground equipment from the ready to use items.
Students must incorporate the geometric figures they wrote on their clipboards.
Students will use paper strips to label the geometric shapes as well as the art elements and principles. Labels may be glued or taped to the features.
Assessment(s): Grading Rubric:
National Visual Arts Standards Covered:
Visual Arts 1,2, & 3
TEKS:
Art (3rd Grade) 1B, 2A, 2C
Math (3rd Grade) 8
