Acknowledgements:

Andy Goldsworthy - Mr. Goldsworthy's book, A Collaboration With Nature, provided the initial inspiration for this assignment.

Students will assemble found natural objects into an arrangement emphasizing one or more of the 5 elements of art and decide upon the best view of their work to be photographed.

	Students will be able to identify the five elements of art in visual work i.e. line, shape, value, texture, and value.
	Students will defend/discuss their constructions using the five elements of art.
	Students will discover relationships between the environment and their creation i.e. light and setting.
	Students will use Photoshop to enhance the visual elements in their work

Idaho State Standards:

• Recognize and respond to characteristics and content of visual art using art vocabulary
• Recognize the differences between art material, techniques, and processes
• Recognize the influence of personal experience in the process of making art
• Distinguish the visual elements of the meaning of visual art
• Describe how different media choices can influence the response of a viewer
• Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of art materials and methods
• Show respect for both personal work and work made by others

Andy Goldsworthy slide presentation
Digital camera
Photoshop
Student work slide presentation

Procedures:

Day 1: View the work of Andy Goldsworthy. (teacher made slide presentation). Discuss his work in terms of the 5 elements of art.  Students will be able to identify the elements in his work and order the elements in terms of visual importance.

Day 2: Walk to the community arboretum to look for interesting natural objects.  Discuss possibilities and gather items.

Day 3: Begin assemblage of art.  Experiment and gather more items from the school ground.

Day 4: Refine ideas. Complete construction. Photograph work.

Day 5: Work with the digital image in Photoshop.  Manipulate the color and values to enhance the visual image.

Day 6: View slides of student work (teacher made presentation). Evaluate each work in terms of the 5 art elements.

Evaluation:

Students will write one paragraph addressing the following points:

Students will identify the significance of the 5 art elements in their work.

Students will describe at least one relationship between the environment and their art.

See examples of completed work from this lesson in the student work section

(I wish I had recorded a few of their comments.  Many were very insightful.  Learning did take place!  This was a fun project that the majority of the kids thoroughly enjoyed.)