Puzzle Piece Project

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Puzzle Piece Project using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic), space (positive, negative), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by Autism Speaks Movement
• Use sculpture techniques (installation, collaboration, public art) and design principles (movement, composition, unity) based on Public Art
• Define Jigsaw (a puzzle consisting of a picture on cardboard or wood into various pieces of different shapes fitted together)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Puzzle Piece Project (2021) Autism Speaks

2. Read It's Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr

3. Discussion Questions "Why is the Puzzle Piece Project important? What do we have in common? What is autism? What is nonverbal communication? What worked? What did not work? How did it feel to not be able to talk to each other? Which one is your favorite? Who is the narrator? What is the narrator's relationship to the character with autism? How do personalities and relationships affect stories? How might this story be different from a different character's perspective? What do you find most significant or interesting about this site?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 5" X 5" White Cardstock

2. Separate the puzzle template using a line (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) into four parts for the jigsaw composition

3. Draw three preliminary sketches of the puzzle design for the Puzzle Piece Project

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Puzzle Piece Project for Assigned Table

2. Puzzle Piece Project (2021) Autism Speaks 

3. Discussion Questions "A Mural is a larger painting or artwork on a wall. How large do you think our mural will be? What are some ways we can make our collaborative puzzle piece look like an original work of art? What do you like and dislike about these designs? What would help make this puzzle piece designs look better? Have you ever heard of Autism? Do know what that term means? What first stands out when you look at this object? How are murals used today?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose best puzzle design for the three preliminary sketches for the jigsaw composition 

2. Use pencil to lightly transfer puzzle design onto a cardboard puzzle piece for the jigsaw composition

3. Outline final pencil drawing three times before using painting techniques (layering, cropping, overlapping) for Puzzle Piece Project

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Puzzle Piece Project for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, water bucket, tempera paint)

Lesson Activities

1. Use complementary colors (blue orange; red green; blue purple) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the jigsaw compositions

2. Use complementary colors (blue orange, red green blue purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the jigsaw compositions

3. Add value (lightness, darkness) to the positive space (foreground) and negative space (background) of the Puzzle Piece Project 

Artist Examples

Student Examples