People and Settlement · Summer Term

Challenges of Urban Living

Examine the social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by residents of large urban areas.

About This Topic

Found Object Assemblage encourages 6th Class students to see the artistic potential in everyday items. Instead of starting with traditional materials like paint or clay, students collect and combine 'junk', bottle caps, old toys, cardboard, or natural items, to create a new, unified sculpture. This aligns with the NCCA Construction strand and promotes environmental awareness through the concept of 'upcycling.'

This topic is about metaphor and storytelling. Students must think about how the history of an object (like a rusted key or a broken watch) adds meaning to their artwork. It connects to the 'Looking and Responding' strand as students analyze how contemporary artists use found objects to comment on consumerism or nature. This topic thrives on collaborative 'sorting' sessions where students categorize objects by shape, color, or texture before beginning their construction.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Object Sort

The class brings in bags of 'clean junk.' In small groups, they must sort these items into categories: 'Industrial,' 'Organic,' 'Transparent,' or 'Geometric.' This helps them see objects as 'shapes and textures' rather than just 'trash.'

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: The Story of the Thing

Each student picks one interesting object. They have two minutes to tell a partner a fictional 'history' of that object. This encourages them to think about the narrative potential of their materials before they start gluing things together.

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Stations Rotation: Joining Challenges

Set up stations with different adhesives: hot glue (with supervision), wire ties, masking tape, and string. Students must try to join two 'difficult' objects (like a plastic bottle and a metal spoon) at each station to see which method is most secure.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Students often think they should just glue everything together randomly.

What to Teach Instead

This leads to a cluttered look. By using a 'gallery walk' of half-finished works, students can discuss 'composition' and 'focal points,' learning that leaving some space or grouping similar objects makes the sculpture more powerful.

Common Misconception

Believing that the objects must still look like what they originally were.

What to Teach Instead

The goal of assemblage is often 'transformation.' Encouraging students to paint the entire finished sculpture a single color (like all white or all bronze) helps them see the new form they've created rather than just a pile of separate items.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can active learning help students with found object art?

Active learning turns the classroom into a 'maker space.' By engaging in 'joining challenges' and collaborative sorting, students learn the engineering side of art. They have to figure out how to balance a heavy object on a light one or how to bond different plastics. This hands-on problem-solving is much more effective than a teacher simply telling them which glue to use.

What are the best 'found objects' to collect?

Look for variety! Plastic lids, cardboard tubes, old cutlery, computer parts, and natural items like driftwood or seed pods are great. Avoid anything sharp, dirty, or containing food residue. Ask parents to send in 'clean recycling' a week in advance.

How do I manage the mess of an assemblage project?

Use shallow trays or shoe boxes for each student to keep their 'collection' in. Set clear 'clean-up' roles for each group, such as 'The Glue Monitor' or 'The Scraps Collector.' Doing the project over a few days allows the glue to dry between stages.

Does this topic link to the Green Schools initiative?

Yes, perfectly! It is a direct application of the 'Reuse' part of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.' You can discuss the environmental impact of waste and how artists can use their work to raise awareness about sustainability.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU