Abstract Sculpture and the Attributes of Cubes

• Math Objective

  • I can describe the attributes of cubes

  • I can identify faces, edges, and corners

  • I can distinguish between defining and nondefining attributes

• Arts and Humanities Objective

  • I can begin to describe artwork using proper terms for at least two elements of art (form and color) and one principle of design (contrast).

  • I can make a cube out of craft dough or clay by molding it with my hands and describing it using art terms.

  • I can make a series of cubes using the elements of art and the principles of design.

  • I can work independently or with others to create an abstract sculpture. I can critique my work and the work of my peers orally.

• Steps

  • Ask students if they have seen examples of public art. Ask if they’ve ever noticed specific shapes. Maybe there are paintings or murals in the classroom, lobby, media center, or hallway.

  • Explain that your class will be creating abstract sculptures to exhibit as public artworks.

  • Demonstrate to students how to shape craft dough into cubes.

    • Remind them of game dice and other cube objects

  • Allow them to select the color of craft dough or air-dry clay they want to use for each cube, encouraging them to use different colors.

  • Compare the cubes in terms of length, width, and height. Ask if all the shapes are cubes, no matter what size they are.

  • Ask each student to determine which of their cubes are made with cool colors and which with warm colors. Ask if all the shapes are cubes, no matter what color they are.

  • Lead the class in making a list of defining and nondefining attributes of cubes.

    • How many square faces (6)

    • Square is 2D, a cube is 3D

    • 8 points

    • 12 edges

    • All right angles

    • Height, width, and depth are all equal

  • Allow the craft dough cubes to dry. Place students into teams with 3-4 students in

each team. Tell them they are going to work together as teams to create public art sculptures made from their cubes.

• Encourage students to experiment with various arrangements. They can put all the cubes together to make one large sculpture or make two smaller sculptures.

• When they have an arrangement they like, YOU can glue the cubes together or the teacher can go from group to group with a hot glue gun. You can also just take photos.