Grade level: Eighth

Work Time: (six to ten days - allow two weeks) from start to finish at 45 minute periods every day. Figure drawing can be done before this lesson. I had students do some pencil sketches before modeling figures.

• scissors
  
• pipe cleaners (three per student—I used 12" Chenille Kraft, stock no. 7110)
  
• masking tape (one roll per table of students)
  
• old newspapers (for first layers of figures and to cover the tables)
  
• newsprint paper (for final layers of figures)
  
• art paste mixed in a big bucket (I mixed two boxes Ross powdered paste in a 14 quart- bucket and had another bucket ready to mix another batch of paste as the paste got low. This product needs 20 minutes to set up. It's much better than flour, which gets moldy.)
  
• two small containers of paste for each table to keep students from reaching too far
  
• permanent markers for labeling figures at the end of art class
  

• paints (tempera or acrylics)
  
• fabric - if available
  
• yarn
  
• glue (I keep a glue gun and sticks of white glue in one corner of the room)
  
• brown paper towel on tables for clean up

Method:
Students will use three pipe cleaners to mold the body into the pose of their choice. A foam coffee cup can also be incorporated into the figure. (A cup really helps stabilize figures for display.) Students wrap the arms, legs, and trunk with newsprint paper and masking tape. Then, students apply the art paste to their figures. Students are to use five or six layers of old newspaper and then for the last three to five layers, plain newsprint paper. Students then decorate their figures with paint. Also, additional materials may be needed such as fabric and yarn to finish up their 3-D figures. Figures dry overnight on open shelves; cover shelves with a layer of newspaper to absorb moisture.

pipe cleaner armature and figure and cup covered in papier mâché (click on the image for a larger version)

I showed examples of finished 3-D figures I had made. I also made a figure, demonstrating how to form the armature with pipe cleaners and how to wrap old newspaper strips with masking tape around the pipe cleaner figure.

I then demonstrated how to put the art paste on the figure, using strips and little pieces of plain newsprint. I had mixed the art paste the day before the lesson was to be presented. Sometimes, students assisted me as the art class was finishing.

Because these students were new to me, it was important to establish procedures and structure for our lesson. I allowed time everyday for student questions after I demonstrated a step. I passed out supplies in an orderly way and gave clear directions for clean-up and where students were to store their work.

filling out pipe cleaner armatures with masking tape and papier mâché	cutting newsprint into strips	wrapping pipecleaner figures in papier mâché newsprint strips
(click each image for a larger version)