My Dream Home- Media Choice Intentions

Look through some more mixed media examples. What materials did the artist use, and why did they choose to use them? How do the materials better describe the narrative?

By Miriam Schulman

by Cat Insley

Students looked at examples of mix media art to investigate: Why did the artist choose unique materials to better describe their story? How does the material relate to the idea?

Children then chose three shapes of cardboard for building their dream homes. To better tell the story of their dream homes, student drew and painted detailed landscapes for where they would build their homes. They made detailed skies to set the climate. Finally, they colored their cardboard shapes with crayon, and glued their homes into their landscapes.

We achieved the paneled texture by pealing apart layers of thick cardboard. What other materials could be used in depicting landscapes and homes? Start by looking through your recycling or back yard to find materials for your Dream Home story. The possibilities are limitless.

Also notice this different materials you see used to build real houses. Why might have the architect wanted to build it using those materials?

This lesson was originally written to teach Colorado Department of Education 2020 Visual Art Standardized skills:

Other standards aligned to this lesson for other age groups:

Kindergarten, Standard 3. Invent and Discover to Create, Grade Level Expectation:1. Investigate the properties of materials to support the planning and making of works of art. Evidence Outcomes a. Investigate various properties of tools and materials, and c. Use materials with intention and care.

2nd Grade, Standard 1. Observe and Learn to Comprehend, Grade Level Expectation:1. Identify how artists make choices using the language of visual art and design to communicate ideas. Evidence Outcome a. Describe how artists choose materials to communicate ideas.

3rd Grade, Standard 1. Observe and Learn to Comprehend, Grade Level Expectation:1. Investigate works of art and design to recognize how to create meaning with purpose and intent.Evidence outcome c. Discuss how the use of a material supports or detracts from intended meaning.

4th Grade, Standard 3. Invent and Discover to Create, Grade Level Expectation:2. Utilize media in traditional and inventive ways to communicate personal intent. Evidence Outcome a. Justify how choice of media communicates personal intent.

5th Grade, Standard 1. Observe and Learn to Comprehend, Grade Level Expectation:1. Investigate and analyze how specific points of view can be communicated through the language of visual art and design. Evidence Outcome b. Infer intended meaning using the language of visual art and design.