Paper Tower

Minnesota 6-8 Visual Art Standards
Used in this Lesson

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area.
  • 1A. Analyze how the elements of visual art including color, line, shape, value, form, texture and space are used in the creation of, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 1b. Analyze how the principles of visual art, such as repetition, pattern, emphasis, contrast and balance are used in the creation, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 1c. Describe characteristics of Western and non- Western styles, movements and genres in art.

  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical skills of the art form, integrating technology when applicable.
  • 2a. Demonstrate the characteristics of the tools, materials and techniques of various two-and-three- dimensional media for intentional effects in original artworks.

  • 3. Demonstrate understanding of the personal, social, cultural and historical contexts that influence the arts areas.
  • 3a. Compare and contrast the connections among visual artworks, their purposes, and their personal, social, cultural and historical contexts, including the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.

  • 3b. Analyze the meanings and functions of visual art.
  • 4. Create or make in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 4a. Create original two- and-three-dimensional artworks in a variety of artistic contexts.
  • 4b. Revise artworks based on the feedback of others and self-reflection and artistic intent.
  • 4c. Develop an artistic statement, including how audience and occasion influence creative choices.
  • 5. Perform or present in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 5a. Assemble and prepare personal artworks for public exhibition.
  • 5b.Revise a presentation based on the feedback of others, self-reflection and artistic intent.
  • 5c. Develop an artistic intent, including how audience and occasion impact presentation choices.
  • 6. Respond to or critique a variety of creations or performances using the artistic foundations.
  • 6a. Analyze and interpret a variety of visual artworks using established criteria.

    • Additional Tie-ins

  • Modern Media
  • 2-d surface to 3-D
  • Engineering Skills
    • Students should use their engineering skills to make a tower out of one 8.5X11 inch sheet of paper. The paper can not be thick tagboard or cardstock. Any kind of tape can be used as long as the piece is no longer than 2 inches. Cut the paper and tape any way you want.

    The tower must be free standing (not hanging from the ceiling or the edge of a table). It can be taped to the table or floor at the base of the tower (the "foundation").

    When finished, the teacher will measure the tower from the table or floor to the top at a 90degree angle from the table or floor. A leaning tower is not measured from the base at the angle it's leaning. We want an accurate measure of the standing height, not length.

    Grade scale:
    48 inches and higher=10 points
    32-47.9 inches=9
    30-31.9 inches=8
    28-29.9 inches=7
    25-27.9 inches=6
    22-24.9 inches=5
    less than 23 inches=0