Lesson Plan Title: A Chair for… a 3-D Sculpture
Presentation Title: “Totally Tubular”
Presenter: Steve Miller, Grassy Waters Elementary,
steve.miller.1@palmbeachschools.org
Grade Level(s): 3-5
Media type(s): cardboard construction, paint, collage
Subject(s) integration: art history, language arts, reading
Objectives and Goals:
The student will understand that: A three-dimensional object can be measured by
height, width, and depth. Sculptures can be made from most any materials. Art
projects can be based on children’s literature.
The student will create: A three-dimensional chair that uses symbols and colors
to reflect their personality or the personality of their chosen person. They can
base the chair design on one of the stories read as a reference. The chair will be
painted using good craftsmanship.
The student will also: Evaluate their chair based on established criteria.
Materials:
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Scrap paper for sketches
4-6 paper towel or toilet paper rolls per student
cardboard scraps
glue
mat board scraps
tempera paints
brushes
embellishments to be used as decorations for the chairs (buttons,
rhinestones, puffy paint and letters, etc)
9. scrap fabric.
10. Home design and decorating magazines
Procedures:
Week One: Read stories. Discuss the stories and describe the main ideas. Discuss
how chairs all take an important role in the story. Class discussion of what designs
can be used for the chair. Question: If YOU were going to make a chair for
someone who would that be? (sister, brother, mom, dad, grandma or grandpa, or
myself), What colors would you use? Why? What are some of the things that your
person enjoys that you could make part of you chair design? Show example of the
chair they will construct using paper towel tubes and cardboard. Begin practice
drawing on their scrap paper. On one side of the paper have the students write
their name and the person they want to make the chair for and list three things
about the person (favorite color, hobbies, interests, careers, etc.) On the other
side have them begin sketching what their chair will look like.
Week Two: Review 2D and 3D art. Show examples. Begin the chair construction.
Place the cardboard square on the table. Dip one end of the paper tube in the glue.
Place at the corner of the cardboard. Do the same with the other three. Let dry
about 10 minutes. During this time the students can begin a “sloppy” copy of their
writing as to who the chair is for and why, when the glue is almost dry, turn the
base of the chair right side up. Then glue the two longer tubes to form the back
of the chair. Add a cross piece connecting the two taller tubes. Let completely
dry. Show examples at this stage.
Week Three: Add any last minute pieces of cardboard to the chair design. Begin
to apply paint to the surface, covering the entire chair with the paint as not to
show any cardboard. Let dry.
Week Four: Paint the details on the chair. The students can add stripes, dots or
any design marks at this time. Let dry.
Week Five: At this point the chair is dry and the students can add any
embellishments they choose (buttons, fabrics, beads, etc.)
Writing Activity: Prompt is “ A Chair for ________”. Student will describe the
chair and explain why they choose the symbols/designs/colors. Student will then
write a few paragraphs. Display their writings next to their chairs.
Vocabulary:
1. Three-dimensional
2. Sculpture
3. Form
Resources - (Art Visuals & Literacy Connections): various art visuals of posters
placed around the art room showing examples of chairs.
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Chair for my Mother by Vera Williams
A Chair for Always by Vera B. Williams
Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
Abby’s Chairs by Barbara Santucci
Down the Back of the Chair by Margaret Mahy and Polly Dunbar
My Chair by Betsy James
The Hickory Chair by Lisa Rowe Fraustino
Google images of a variety of styles & pictures from magazines
Visual Art Standards:
 VA.5.S.1.2 – Use media, technology, and other resources to inspire
personal art making decisions.
 VA.5.S.2.3 – Visualize the end product to justify artistic choices of tools,
techniques, and processes.
 VA.5.S.3.1 – Use materials, tools, techniques, and processes to achieve
expected results in two and/or three-dimensional artworks.
 VA.5.S.3.3 - Use materials, tools, techniques, and processes in a safe and
responsible manner.
 VA.5.O.1.3 – Explain how creative and technical ability to produce a work
of art.
VA.5.O.3.1 – Create meaningful and unique works of art to effectively
communicate and document a personal voice.
VA.5.H.2.2 – Describe the ways in which artworks and utilitarian objects
impact everyday art.
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Students understand and use similarities and differences between characteristics
of the visual arts and other arts disciplines.
Resources for “Totally Tubular” lesson plan presentation
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Chair for my Mother by Vera Williams
A Chair for Always by Vera B. Williams
Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
Abby’s Chairs by Barbara Santucci
Down the Back of the Chair by Margaret Mahy and Polly Dunbar
My Chair by Betsy James
The Hickory Chair by Lisa Rowe Frastino
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