Dot Art - Paper Mosaics

Methods and Activities

  1. Method: Lecture/Direct Instruction Activity: Discussion/ Listening/ responding
  2. The teacher introduces the concept of Dot Art and the different ways this method can be utilized – glass, marble, paper, paint, etc. The students will be given a color handout of the artworks that are to be discussed as well as their post test, so they know what I am expecting for their note-taking. They will also receive a guided notes page, to help organize their thoughts. The students will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss the art work during instruction. (10-12 minutes)

  3. Methods: Demonstration/ Application Activities: Watching demonstration/ individual Scaffolding project
  4. The teacher will show examples of what is expected – made previously by the teacher. The teacher will then demonstrate how to create the dot paper mosaic and show many different ways in which to achieve a convincing image. (3-5 minutes) The students will be instructed to draw a simplified sketch of what they want to make their mosaic of using white chalk on their black board – both of which are provided. (5-8 minutes) The students will be given origami paper and colored stock-card dots created with a hole puncher. They will be allowed to create more dots as needed. (2-3 minutes) The students will be given the rest of the class period as well as the beginning of the next class to finish their paper mosaics. (12-20 minutes first day, 20-25 minutes next day)

  5. Methods: Guided Group Discussion Activity: Informal critique
  6. The students will be given a chance to show their work, if desired and describe what they did, what they had troubles with and whether they feel that they have successfully created a convincing image using the paper dots. If no students would like to discuss their work, I will pick 2-5 mosaics that I found particularly intriguing and tell the class why I found them interesting – pointing out a few details that makes their work stand out. In order to not offend some students, I will not say that these students did the best; I will just say that theirs stood out as they were making them. (10 minutes)

  7. Methods: Review Activity: Listening/responding
  8. The teacher will quickly review the key points of dot art and artists and encourage questions before the quiz. (2-5 minutes) Methods: Assessment Activity: Quiz regarding dot art/artists/technique The students will be directed to answer the questions on a short quiz that I developed to test their understanding on the technique of dot art, as well as its origin and methods. (10 minutes)

PDF version of this lesson - including rubric and adaptations