Wire Sculpture Lesson Plan

Aims: To explore the world of three-dimensionality with the limited material of wire
To learn about the work of Calder (and others)

Materials: armature wire, pliers with cutting edges. various objects to wrap around (tubes, jigs, boxes, etc.)

Vocabulary: line, volume, form, space

Procedure: Students are given guidelines of your choosing (free rein, make an animal, make a person/acrobat/dancer/athlete, make a vessel, etc.) Briefly show them how to wrap the wire to create volume and then set them free to explore how to create a free-standing sculpture.

Reflection: Students are asked to share their work.

Follow-Up/Variation: This could become a group project, where each figure or object is attached to make a large whole.