Semester-Long Classroom Collage Project: Student Exploration Through Mixed Media Collage
Grade Level
9th–12th Grade Visual Arts
Duration
Semester-long project (daily studio practice + dedicated project blocks)
Mississippi Arts Learning Standards (Visual Arts – HS I)
Creating
VA:Cr1.1.Ia – Use multiple approaches to begin creative endeavors.
VA:Cr1.2.Ia – Shape an artistic investigation of present-day life using materials and ideas.
VA:Cr2.1.Ia – Experiment with various materials and processes to develop meaning.
VA:Cr2.3.Ia – Apply relevant criteria to examine, reflect, and revise artwork.
Responding
VA:Re7.1.Ia – Analyze how personal experiences influence the perception of artwork.
VA:Re8.1.Ia – Interpret meaning using personal viewpoints and contextual information.
Connecting
VA:Cn10.1.Ia – Document and reflect on the process of developing ideas in artmaking.
VA:Cn11.1.Ia – Relate artistic ideas to personal experiences and cultural context.
Depth of Knowledge (DOK Levels)
DOK 1 – Recall
Identify collage materials
Follow cutting, gluing, and assembling steps
Define collage, composition, texture, abstraction
DOK 2 – Skills & Concepts
Compare materials
Organize pieces on 4×4 cards
Explain choices in journals
DOK 3 – Strategic Thinking
Analyze how materials reflect emotions or memories
Discuss the impact of placement and design decisions
Reflect on artistic influences
DOK 4 – Extended Thinking
Produce a 25-card collage series
Maintain journaling and reflective writing
Contribute individual cards to a class installation
Complete a final culminating artwork presentation
Objectives / Specific Objectives
Students will create class collages on cardstock cut into 4×4 pieces. They will use the cards to discover intuitive creative preferences through comparing, contrasting, journaling, and reflecting on emotions, inspirations, and connections.
Students will explore what motivates or blocks their creativity and engage in a practice that strengthens their desire for artmaking.
Essential Questions
1. Why did I choose the materials?
2. What personal meaning do these materials have?
3. Do personal values or sentimental connections make artmaking easier?
4. What do I think or feel when working with different materials?
5. Does placement affect meaning and creativity?
6. Do collage patterns form naturally or must ideas be organized intentionally?
Vocabulary
Collage, Mixed Media, Composition, Texture, Pattern, Abstract, Contrast, Materiality, Visual Unity, Installation
Materials (30+ Examples Including Beans & Candy)
Magazine clippings, Newspaper pieces, Construction paper, Tissue paper, Scrapbook paper, Wrapping paper, Foil paper, Old book pages, Printed patterns, Post-it notes, Fabric scraps, Yarn, Ribbon, Cotton balls, Feathers, Leaves, Twigs, Buttons, Beads, Sequins, Stickers, Washi tape, Candy wrappers, Bottle caps, Cardboard, Beans, Candy (non-edible use), Rice, Pasta, Markers, Crayons, Colored pencils, Acrylic paint, Watercolor, Oil pastels
Production Schedule & Semester Timeline
Students must complete 250 collage cards in an 18-week semester = approx. 14 cards per week.
Daily expectation: 2–3 cards per class.
Friday: reflection, journaling, weekly review.
Procedures
A. Introduction / Motivation
Students are introduced to artist Ceyhun Oguz and observe a collage demonstration.
B. Teacher Demonstration
Cutting 4×4 cards, choosing materials, layering, design choices, journaling.
C. Student Work Process
Students create multiple cards weekly, explore materials, journal reflections, and add selected pieces to the collaborative installation.
D. Class Discussion Questions
(As provided in previous section.)
E. Collaborative Component
Students add cards to a classroom installation representing unity and individuality.
Culminating Options for Final Artwork
Option 1: Combine all 250 pieces into one large artwork.
Option 2: Mount each collage individually as a portfolio display.
Option 3: Select one strong collage and recreate it as a larger artwork.
Final Critique & Reflection
Students present their final choice, explain decisions, share journal insights, compare growth, and provide peer feedback.
Purpose of the Project
Students learn personal expression, decision-making, reflection, and how small creative experiments build a large body of work.
Assessment
Completion of 250 cards, creativity, craftsmanship, meaningful use of materials, journaling, collaborative installation, final artwork option, critique participation.