HOW TO MAKE AND USE DIORAMAS

[Music] the diorama is a three-dimensional group in miniature it brings living impressions of the outside world into the classroom by creating an illusion of reality it can be used for motivation as in a first grade unit on farm life the diorama can help a teacher give meaningful learning experiences [Music] it's use should be supplemented with other instructional materials in the ongoing study of a subject a diorama can serve in the review or culmination of a study unit dioramas are not generally available teachers and students usually prepare their own these useful teaching tools can be tailor-made to fit the situation you don't have to be an artist to make good dioramas [Music] the flat picture file in the instructional material center will often furnish background material for the working sketch from which the diorama will be built dioramas do not have to be real-life replicas they can represent a figment of the imagination [Music] the working sketch does not have to be a finished drawing it serves only as a placed relationship plan for objects that will appear in the diorama as a guide for painting the background and as a clue to construction details [Music] materials for the shell of the diorama include four pieces of wood one inch square a semicircular piece of corrugated cardboard for the base and a long piece of cardboard for the background the diorama should be twice as wide as it is high and deep the height and depth should not exceed 18 inches or the realistic effect will be destroyed the illusion of reality is easier to achieve in miniature than in life-size groups [Music] boo and nail the parts of the frame together [Music] male the base to one of the longer pieces of the frame [Music] complete the frame by gluing and nailing the base unit into position [Music] fit the cardboard background to the base and nail it to the side pieces of the frame [Music] fasten the base and background together with masking tape and the shell of the diorama is finished [Music] try accessories in the shell for placement size and perspective in relation to the background [Music] diorama accessories are subject to the same laws of construction that apply to any craft work [Music] the shape of accessories and the materials out of which they are made should add to the realistic effect [Music] try several arrangements to see which creates the best illusion of reality [Music] actual small branches with twigs may be used as trees but leaves should be made out of dried moss bits of sponge or other small-scale craft work materials [Music] land contours should be made with lightweight materials that will not put too much strain on the base cardboard crumpled paper burlap or wire matting overlaid with paper mache give satisfactory results [Music] the placement of diorama objects and accessories should be determined and marked off on the base in accordance with a plan to the group [Music] cover the bare dirt area of the barnyard with glue [Music] before the glue dries cover it with sand or a polarized dried dirt either one will create a realistic effect study the working sketch for the diorama then block out the background before starting the final construction work [Music] try out the objects and accessories again to see if their size and placement in relation to the background actually creates the illusion of reality [Music] cover the grassy area of the foreground with paper mache [Music] before it hardens roughen the paper mache in varying degrees toward the background this adds to the illusion of depth bits of dried straw help to achieve the desired effect watercolor oil tempera or shale card paints can be used on the background but the background must be painted in the diorama to maintain the true illusion of reality the disappearing relationship of the foreground blending into the background [Music] paint the foreground before finishing the background and make necessary corrections for blending of the two [Music] complete the background and finish blending it to the foreground you should not be aware of the angle at which the two meet [Music] place objects and accessories in position and install one or two small electric bulbs for proper lighting effects a frame can add the final touch [Music] students will benefit from working with a teacher who knows how to make dioramas children learned from doing and participation increases their interest at the third and fourth grade levels students can learn to carve mountains out of lightweight styrofoam [Music] the diorama in its making and use should contribute both to what the children learn and what the teacher hopes to achieve as her objectives [Music] children are capable of constructing dioramas and should be encouraged to express their ideas about the project as soon as possible they should have a part in its construction [Music] the activity involved in making a diorama integrates many subject areas and gives students satisfying creative experiences [Music] a unit of study at the 6th grade level can include the construction of the diorama as the pivot around which all other classwork centers it will be a purposeful learning experience for the entire group [Music] from such activity older children develop skills in research and the evaluation and organization of information available objects models and specimens are collected and studied authorities interviewed and many types of instructional materials used to gain background information on the subject [Music] research is the bridge between the more passive learning processes and the creative arts construction of a diorama coordinates research with the crafts skills and thereby draws upon all types of learning experiences the working sketch is the result of research planning and study another type of learning experience results from construction work for economy the shell of the diorama can be made out of a corrugated cartons or containers a piece of cardboard for the background and a false base complete the basic materials trees are attached to the false base before placing it in the shell [Music] land contours are made out of crumpled paper walls out of cardboard a thin mixture of plaster of Paris is used as an overlay for the foreground placed in the shell the foreground is painted the background is blocked out clay figures are carefully model to size [Music] accessories are painted [Music] the background is finished and blended with the foreground objects and accessories are placed in position and the diorama framed and lighted represents a unification of many learning experiences preparation of dioramas contributes to increased appreciation and understanding as well as to knowledge of subject matter wise we used the diorama is a valuable teaching tool [Music]