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Wired with Alexander Calder Lesson PlanWired with Alexander Calder Lesson Plan
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Wired with Alexander Calder

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Kids consider how the body functions and moves, how each structure has a specific movement and purpose. They apply that idea as they construct a sculptural piece that moves. For inspiration they look to the work of Alexander Calder, examine his mobiles and then design and create one as a class. 

127 Views 116 Downloads
Concepts

critical thinking, sculpture, the human body, human body systems, motion

Additional Tags

body parts, critical thinking, human anatomy, motion, sculpting, art project, body structure, calder, continuous line sculpture, science
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Resource Details

Grade
4th - 12th
Subjects
Science
4 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
2 more...

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Audio

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Exhibit of Calder's work in portraiture and the expressive capabilities of wire, his favorite medium.
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Lesson Plan

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Students build simple mobiles. In this equilibrium instructional activity, students investigate the functions of three types of levers as they analyze artwork by Alexander Calder. Students then create their own simplified mobiles.
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Website

Pbs: American Masters: Alexander Calder

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From the PBS series, American Masters, this is the biography, a video, and related links for the American abrstract expressionist sculptor Alexander Calder.
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Activity

Etv: Artopia: Sculpture Critic: Bird by Alexander Calder

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One-page article explainshow Alexander Calder uses humor in this hanging art piece called Bird, describes how the mobile is constructed, and gives a short biography of the artist. Students can then answer questions about the sculpture,...
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Instructional Video

Khan Academy: Calder, Mobile

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In this video [2:40] Met curator Marla Prather on motion in Alexander Calder's Mobile, 1941. This particular mobile was included in the 1942 exhibition "Artists for Victory" at the Metropolitan where the sculpture committee awarded it a...
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Website

Calder Foundation

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A comprehensive site with a biography, time line, and images. The text in this site is suitable for older students, but the pictures and images will be loved by all.
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Lesson Plan

Alexander Calder Cookies

Curated OER
Students create an original piece of edible art. In this edible art activity, students decorate a sugar cookie in the style of Alexander Calder. Students view Calder's paintings and then create an original piece of art.
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Lesson Plan

Sculpture of the Twentieth Century

Curated OER
Eighth graders examine various 20th century artists and their sculptures. They view and analyze slides, compare/contrast the artists' styles, and create an original sculpture.
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Handout

Smithsonian American Art Museum: A. Stirling Calder

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As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, A. Stirling Calder is described here along with information on his contributions to art through sculpture. Calder comes from a line of sculptors including his father, Alexander...
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