Amber Finn

I. Lesson Number, Grade Levels, Title,

and Duration:
Lesson Number: 1
Grade: 9th
Title: Whimsical Spaces
Duration: Two 50 minute class periods (One class to practice and introduce and one to create
their own)

II. Lesson Rationale: Students will be able to construct a digital collage with two or more
images from the internet and one or more objects or spaces they photograph in Photoshop. This
lesson will help the students to comprehend that compositions can be created from multiple
images that can convey space even if it is not from the same photograph.

III. Key Concepts:

Space: How does space happen? Identify real space or space created to intentionally trick the
eye.

IV. Essential Question:

Do the objects create a whimsical or playful space within the composition?
Is the space meant to make sense or meant to create tension to the viewer’s eye?

V. Lesson Objectives:

The student will be able to construct a digital collage in Photoshop using the lasso or magnetic
lasso that demonstrates a solution to the issue of space.
The student will be able to incorporate one or more images they photographed with three or
more images from the internet into their collage. These images must include at least one main
image for a base along with other objects that are cut out from other images, such as buildings
or trees or people engaging in an activity to help to create that playful feeling in the space.

The student will be able to cut out the portion of the image that they want to use with a clear
edge (no extra areas of the image included that are not intended to be there).
The student will be able to solve the issue of including multiple types of images in order to
create a whimsical space (ex. images of outer space with a black and white building, these can
work together to help one portion of the image come forward and the other pushed back into
space).

VI. Specific Art Content:

Space
Digital Collage
Photography
Using lasso tools in Photoshop
Composition
Meaning or interpretation of the artwork

VII. Resources & Materials for Teacher:

Computer
Photoshop
Camera
Tumblr
Collage History
Databases
Jesse Treece
Google Docs
Issuu

VIII. Resources & Materials for Students:

Computer
Photoshop
Camera
3-4 Images from the internet
Google docs link for image inspiration -
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5SW5nKsQ_fESFNkVkpRRDAzVzQ&usp=sharing
1-2 Images photographed by the student

IX. Instruction and Its Sequencing:

Day of the Lesson 1st Day

1. Introduction/Motivation:
Presentation will include images from Jesse Treece and other fun and whimsical
example images. We will also tell a story about a certain Russian picture that was used for
propaganda that was collaged together.
 Procedure
1. Turn on computer.
2. Choose your preference of Mac or Windows systems.
3. Open up browser of your choice and search in images.
4. Find 3-4 images from the internet that you think will create a whimsical space.
5. Save the 3-4 images on your desktop.
6. Upload the 1-2 pictures you took yourself by either:
- Emailing them to yourself and downloading them. Also saving on the desktop.
- Uploading them with a usb cord and saving the files to your desktop.
7. Open Photoshop on your computer.
8. Drag photos from desktop into photoshop. This will have your photos set one on top of
another. If you can not drag photos into the program then you will need to open them
within the program. For each photo you will need to click File > Open > Desktop > Photo
> Open.
9. If you dragged the photos into Photoshop with each one an ‘X’ will be across the image.
Right click on each image and click “Place.” Once finished you will have all of your
photos stacked on top of eachother. If you opened each individual photo you may leave
them in their own window or copy and paste them into one file to condense space.
10. Determine which parts of your 4-6 photos you want to use in your overall collage.
11. Your first layer will have a lock symbol on it. If you would like to move this picture around
double click the symbol to unlock the layer. It will then become layer 1.
12. With each picture you will now crop, edit, and select the areas you don’t want out of the
picture.
13. If you would like to make a copy of a particular part of an image and still keep the
original you can copy and paste and it will make another layer for the pasted image and
leave the original in place.
14. With each photo you can now use any of the “Lasso” and “Magic Wand” tools to isolate
the areas you want in your collage.

(Each does something different. Play around with the tools to see which works better for you.)
15. Once the section of your image has been copied and pasted into a new layer you can go
back in with the eraser tool and clean up the edges.
(No need to use the other eraser tools. Just adjust size and hardness to refine edges.)
16. After you have edited down all 4-6 of your photos place them in the desired spots within
your space.
17. Hide the unedited layers.
18. Add any final artistic touches to your work and prepare to save.
19. Click File > Save As…
20. Name your artwork and make sure to save to Desktop

21. Go to the Drop down bar besides Format. Change from a PSD file to PNG file.

22. Click Save.

23. It will ask about your PNG options. Click okay.
 24. Upload your Image to Blackboard with a creative title name.
25. Write a paragraph about your thought process on creating your space. Were you trying
to trick the viewer's eye? Were you just trying to create a whimsical space?
26.
2. Guided Practice
During the presentation we will go through a basic run of the steps and procedures to
make a photo collage, and allow students to use their own pictures and ones they find on the
internet. Students will be given a step by step worksheet with visual references.

3. Independent Practice
On their own student will follow the steps given to them to create their own personal and
individual space.

4. Closure
Students will discuss how they were able to create a whimsical space or a space that
tricks the human eye and how their images were able to accomplish that.

5. Formative Evaluation
By walking around and offering assistance to students who are confused or lost in the
steps I will be able to check on their individual understanding of the lesson. Students who do
need help with certain aspects of the project I can help by going over a particular step again.
This way if more than one person is stuck hopefully going over it again will answer their
questions.

6. Classroom Management Procedures

Students will be working independently and using their own chosen pictures to reduce
similarities between works. Talking will be kept at a minimum level to encourage the production
of work.

Repeat 1-6, as needed, for each class session needed for this one lesson.

X. Summative Assessment and Evaluation:

● What do I want to know?

○ I want to know the students are able to construct a space in photoshop using
multiple images.
● How will I know it?
○ I will know the students understand this concept through viewing their images
and from seeing the students using the proper tools demonstrated to them.
● How will I record it?
○ I will record it on a rubric created for this assignment.
 Capricious
Emerging Developing Proficient
Spaces Rubric

Composition/Creation Composition is static, Composition is Composition is well

of Space random and not well developed and a developed and space
thought out. Space is space is starting to be is visible in the
not quite created. No defined. Basic collage. Exemplary
understanding of understanding of understanding of
foreground, foreground foreground,
middleground, or middleground and middleground, and
background. Uses one background. Uses few background. Uses
or no space strategies space strategies to multiple space
in composition. create space in strategies to achieve
composition. successful
composition.

Images Only one image from Half of the image Meets requirements
the internet used and requirements met (2 with the images (3-4
no personal image online, 1 personal). online and 1-2
used. personal).

Theme or idea created There is no clear Theme is developing Theme is identifiable

theme or correlation and dialogue between and images mesh well
with the images. images combined is together to create a
beginning to happen. whimsical feeling in
the collage.

Appropriate tools used Images compiled Most of the images are Attention to detail is
and Execution of the together have a messy outlined and combined present; objects and
tools outline. Tools are not nicely, but a few still images are cleanly
appropriately used have messy outlines. outlined and blend
where needed. Beginning to grasp the together as one
tools demonstrated. image. All three tools
are appropriately used
to create the image.

XI. Interdisciplinary Connections:

The students will gain practice with basic tools in Photoshop that they will use to build on
throughout the digital art unit.
The students will gain an understanding of how to create a space in a digital collage using
images of multiple spaces and/or objects.
XII. References & Resources:
Artist Website - http://collageartbyjesse.tumblr.com

Bird, M. (n.d.). 100 ideas that changed art. Retrieved from

http://search.credoreference.com/content/title/lkingaijn

Lodder, C. (1992). The transition to constructivism. The great utopia: The russian and soviet
avant-garde, 1915-1932. (pp. 267-281). New York, NY: Guggenheim Museum.

XIII. Art TEKS

(2) Creative expression. The student communicates ideas through original artwork using a
variety of media with appropriate skills. The student expresses thoughts and ideas creatively
while challenging the imagination, fostering reflective thinking, and developing disciplined
effort and progressive problem-solving skills. The student is expected to:
(A) use visual solutions to create original artwork by problem solving through direct
observation, original sources, experiences, narrations, and imagination.
(D) create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions.
(E) collaborate to create original works of art.

(3) Historical and cultural relevance. The student demonstrates an understanding of art history
and culture by analyzing artistic styles, historical periods, and a variety of cultures. The student
develops global awareness and respect for the traditions and contributions of diverse cultures.
The student is expected to:
(A) compare and contrast historical and contemporary styles while identifying general
themes and trends.
(B) describe general characteristics in artwork from a variety of cultures, which might
also include personal identity and heritage.
XIV. National Art Standards

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

- Use multiple approaches to begin creative endeavors.

Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

- Engage in making a work of art or design without having a preconceived plan.
- Through experimentation, practice, and persistence, demonstrate acquisition of skills
and knowledge in a chosen art form.

Enduring Understanding: People create and interact with objects, places, and design that
define, shape, enhance, and empower their lives.
- Collaboratively develop a proposal for an installation, artwork, or space design that
transforms the perception and experience of a particular place.

Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
- Synthesize knowledge of social, cultural, historical, and personal life with art-making
approaches to create meaningful works of art or design.