Art:
Jade Sculptures
Summary: Students learn about Chinese jade carvings
and then carve an animal from soap in a similar fashion.
Minnesota Academic Standards Information
Subject Area Focus: Art
Educational Level: Teachers may adapt the activity for the
various grade levels.
Primary
Primary (K-3) Level
The student will: Understand the elements of visual
art, including color, line, shape, form, texture, and space. Understand
the characteristics of visual art from a variety of cultures and historical
times. Use the tools, basic skills, and techniques of at least three
different mediums. Create original works of art to communicate ideas.
For the complete standard, see the Minnesota Academic Standards
web site at http://education.state.mn.us/mde/Academic_Excellence/Academic_Standards/index.html
LEARNING ACTIVITY
Directions
Objectives:
- To gain increased appreciation of jade carvings and Chinese
culture.
- To practice creativity and workmanship skills.
Preparation:
- Find out if any children in your class have allergies to
soap. If necessary, substitute fruit or vegetables for the
soap.
- Collect a bar of soft soap for each child (Ivory works
well or you could look for a soap with green stripes in it
like jade) plus a few extras.
- Collect toothpicks, paper clips, orange sticks, craft sticks,
Popsicle sticks, table knives, and pencils to carve soap.
- Collect baggies to store projects in and newspapers to
protect floors and tables.
- Collect and display several images of Chinese jade carvings
and other Chinese-style art.
Time Required: Two 45-50 minute sessions
Description
- Introduce students to jade carvings using on-line resources
or in Chinese art books. As students look at various examples,
guide discussion about how the four art elements are used
in the works: line, shape, color, and texture.
- Discuss what would and would not be possible when carving
an animal out of stone: the limits of shape, the difficulties
of delicate designs. Explain that you will be using
soap to explore what carving jade might be like.
- Have students sketch simple designs the same size as their
soap bar. Give feedback on the designs, particularly to ensure
the design is realistic for the activity.
- Have students use a pencil to transfer the design to the
soap.
- Use carving materials to slowly shave tiny bits of soap
away. Too much too fast will result in a broken bar of soap. Keep
hands away from eyes! Keep soap off of floor!
- Have students exhibit their artwork for others to see and
reflect on their work. Possible questions for reflection:
- What do you like about your piece? Describe it in terms
of the four elements: line, shape, color, and texture.
- What would you do differently for your design or your
carving method if you were to do another one?
- Given your experience with soap carving, what might it
be like to do such carving from stone?
- Review the images of Chinese jade carvings again to gain
an appreciation for the artistry in the carving.
Learning Resources:
Minneapolis Institute of Arts – Images of Jade Carvings
http://www.artsmia.org/arts-of-asia/index.cfm
http://www.artsmia.org/arts-of-asia/china/explore/search.cfm
Arts ConnectEd
http://www.artsconnected.org/classroom/
The Research Institute for the Humanities, Chinese University
of Hong Kong.
http://www.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/KwansJade/Kwans.html
Self-published Lesson on Soap Carving
http://home.neb.rr.com/monarchrose/soap.htm
Printable Materials: None
Evidence of Learning: The following product(s)
supply evidence of student learning.
- Soap carving
- Oral or written reflections
Special Notes
Technology Integration:
Incorporate technology tools and resources in ways that enhance
and support teaching and learning.
Have students create a multimedia presentation of their classmate’s
soap carvings, using the online exhibits from the Minneapolis
Institute of Arts as a model.
Have students conduct research online for more images of jade
carvings.
Accommodations
Change the activity to accommodate students with different
needs, knowledge and skills.
Emphasize patience and perseverance over the final product.
Extensions
Extend students' learning with additional activities.
Some students might with to carve fruit or vegetables or make
vegetable or soap prints.
Sources/Credits: Isabelle Hoag, International
Classroom Connection Program Manager, Minnesota International
Center ihoag@globe.mic.umn.edu or www.micglobe.org
More detailed lesson plan on soap carving, self-published
by a Nebraska teacher. http://home.neb.rr.com/monarchrose/soap.htm
A lesson from the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
at Saginaw Valley State University. http://www.svsu.edu/mfsm/educational/tourprogramSC.htm
Entire List of Curriculum Activities
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