Joan Miro Monsters with 3rd Grade

Joan Miro was a surrealist painter (1893-1983) from Barcelona, Spain.  Miro was known for his painted creature made from random shapes, and even made his 2-dimensional work into sculptures. Miro's work is imaginative, using geometric and organic shapes to create unusual characters.

What better way to exercise the student's creativity?

Materials

2-D Work:
-Worksheet
-8 x10 white paper
-Pencils
-Markers
-12 x 14 colored paper for a frame

3-D Work:
-Crayola Model Magic or similar air dry clay (depending on your project time, you can use primary colored clay or white clay to paint later)
-Pipe cleaners
-Sandwich size ziplock baggies

If using white air dry clay:
-Tempura paint
-Paper plates
-Small brushes
-Newspaper
-Water and bowls

Objectives
The students will create 2 projects. The first project will be a 2-dimensional drawing of a Miro-inspired creature.  The students will read together and use the following worksheet to "exercise their creativity." The point of the activity is to have students use a limited amount of shapes to create elaborate creations.

From the worksheets, students can create their own creatures using the 12 shapes presented!

The drawings should only take one 40 minute class period, fully colored and framed.  I also attach grade sheets on the back for students to see their entire grade of the project.

Day 2 is for 3-dimensional construction of the drawings.  I give students pipe cleaners that match the colors of the antennas, legs, and arms from the drawings.  If students do not finish, I store projects in baggies with students names so clay doesn't dry out.

Day 3 is to complete the construction of the sculpture.  If you are using colored clay, the will be the last day of your project.  If you use white clay, you can use an additional day to paint the creatures any color you wish.

Here are some projects completed with primary colors (students mix secondary themselves) and black model magic!

Here are some completed sculptures with just white model magic and paint!

As a final wrap up, I have students fill out a reflection.  Here is my worksheet, but you can change it up as you wish:

Overall, the project is fun to do on a cart or in an art room, and from my own experience, easy to adapt in any situation.