A snapshot of a unit of work inspired by spiders and insects and the use of natural materials collec

Five Mile Tree Public School is a P6 school situated 30km west of Crookwell. There are 23 students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

The lesson is part of a unit of work titled 'Fantastic Animals'. This unit is based on animals, especially those found in the immediate environment of the school, part of the
'sudent's world'. Many of the simple materials used in this lesson are also found in the immediate environment.

The lesson focuses on insects and spiders and is suitable for students from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3.

The students collected images of insects and spiders. They also brought to school insects and spiders they had collected in jars.

While the students examined the examples, teacher questioning focussed the students on the qualities of the insects and spiders including; body shape, structure, texture, colours, expressive characteristics, and movement. Descriptive words were written on the board.

The whole class discussed the attributes of these creatures and what sort of magical qualities they may possess.

The students sketched selected insects and spiders exploring the expressive qualities of different media including pencil, crayon, charcoal and felt pen. They referred to the list of descriptive words to enhance their drawings. The students then drew different viewpoints to give more information about the creatures. The teacher explained and demonstrated the use of overlapping in the drawings.

The class discussed how different artists have selected animals as subject matter in their artworks and how the forms and media used can have different expressive qualities. Images of the sculptures "Rhinoceros" by Richard Goodwin, and "Mantis" by Robert Knottenbelt, were considered. The teacher guided the discussion referring to the lines of movement (e.g. horizontal, diagonal), surface textures and materials in the works. They discussed how different materials and techniques influence the appearance of the finished artwork and that the sculptors were more concerned with showing the animal's qualities rather than a realistic depiction.

Students talked about their responses to the two images and discussed the different qualities associated with natural materials and manufactured materials.

The students discussed possible natural materials they could collect from the local environment to make their own giant spiders and insects. Colours, textures and the expressive characteristics of some materials were important considerations.
The students collected materials such as sticks, leaves, pine cones and bark and the teacher supplied cardboard, string, wire, glue, mesh etc. The teacher then demonstrated different construction techniques (tie, wrap, glue, staple).
The younger students worked individually and the older students worked in pairs, or groups of three or four to construct giant spiders and insects. The teacher and some parents assisted students to construct the creatures.

During construction the students were continually questioned and encouraged to reflect on their work and decisions they had made. Were the techniques they were using successful? Was the texture and colour of the material they found successfully expressing the qualities of their giant creature.

Students were given the opportunity to paint their creatures.

The finished sculptures were placed in the natural environment and photographed. Some of the larger spiders were hung from trees by string.

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