Lesson plan
Students will explore sustainability and the process of using recycled materials for artmaking. Students will create magazine beads, collage brooches, and button pendants using recycled materials and participate in a fashion parade or jewelry shop featuring their creations.
LEVEL: Beginner
AREAS OF STUDY: Nature / Mixed Media / Color / Science / STEAM
COLLECTIONS: Sustainability
TEACHER PREP TIME: 30 minutes
DEMONSTRATION TIME: 30 minutes
STUDENT STUDIO TIME: 1 hour
Read the book I Stink by Kate and Jim McMullan. Talk about trash, sustainability, repurposing, upcycling, and recycling. Discuss how to use these concepts in art and how someone’s trash can be someone else’s treasure.
Cut magazine strips into long triangles. Place the base of the triangle against the straw and wrap the paper tightly around the straw. Roll until 2” of paper remains, and place a dot of glue. Roll the remaining paper with glue and hold it in place while it dries.
Repeat the process to create many beads. Let the beads dry. Create a necklace with the beads using thread or string.
On a small matboard, add glue, cut magazines, fabric scraps, and washi tape to create a well-composed collage. Consider how the elements of art, including color, can be used in the design.
Paint a layer of decoupage medium over the finished collage brooch to seal it. Glue a pin back onto the back of the matboard.
Thread buttons together on a piece of wire or pipe cleaner to create a pendant.
Manipulate the buttons and pipe cleaners to create a variety of sculptural forms. Consider how the elements of art, including color, can be used in the design.
Create a loop at the top of the pendant using the remaining pipe cleaner or wire. Feed a string or ribbon through the loop to create a pendant necklace.
Parade around the classroom showing off the new “jewels.” Or, set up a pretend shop by presenting the jewels on black construction paper. Discuss and reflect with peers about the choices made in creating the jewelry.