How To Make And Use Dioramas (1955)

[Music] [Applause] [Music] the diarama 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 diarama can help the teacher give her students meaningful learning experiences [Music] its use should be supplemented with other instructional materials in the ongoing study of a subject a diarama can serve in the review or culmination of a study unit diaramas 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 [Music] diaramas the flat picture file in the instructional material Center will often furnish background material for the working sketch from which the diarama will be built diaramas do not have to be real life replicas they can represent a figment of the [Music] imagination the working sketch does not have to be a finished drawing it serves only as a place relationship plan for objects that will appear in the diarama as a guide for painting the background and as a clue to construction [Music] details materials for the shell of the diarama include four pieces of wood 1 in square a semicircular piece of corrugated cardboard for the base and a long piece of cardboard for the background the diarama should be twice as wide as it is high and deep the height and depth should not exceed 18 in or the realistic effect will be destroyed the illusion of reality is easier to achieve in miniature than in life-size groups [Music] glue and nail the parts of the frame [Music] together nail the base to one of the longer pieces of the frame 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 [Music] tape and the shell of the diarama is finished [Music] try accessories in the shell for placement size and perspective in relation to the background diarama 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 is trees but leaves should be made out of dried Moss bits of sponge or other small scale craftwork materials [Music] Lan 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 mâché give satisfactory results [Music] the placement of diarama objects and accessories should be determined and marked off on the base in accordance with the plan for the [Music] group cover the be dirt area of the Barnyard with glue [Music] before the glue dries cover it with sand or pulverized dyed dirt either one will create a realistic [Music] effect study the working sketch for the diarama 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 [Music] reality cover the grassy area of the foreground with with paper mâché [Music] before it hardens roughen the paper mchet 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 temper or show card paints can be used on the background but the background must be painted in the diarama 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 [Music] tube complete the background and finish blending it with the foreground you should not be aware of the angle at which the two [Music] meet Place objects and accessories in position and install one or two small electric bulbs for proper lighting effects a frame can add the Final [Music] Touch students will benefit from working with a teacher who knows how to make diaramas children learn from doing and participation increases their interest at the third and fourth grade levels students can learn to carve mountains out of lightweight [Music] styrofoam the diarama 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 diaramas 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 diarama integrates many subject areas and gives students satisfying creative experiences [Music] a unit of study at the sixth grade level can include the construction of a diarama 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 [Music] 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 [Music] subject research is the bridge between the more passive learning processes and the creative arts construction of a diarama coordinates research with the craft skills and thereby draws upon all types of learning experiences [Music] the working sketch is the result of research planning and [Music] study another type of learning experience results from construction [Music] work for economy the shell of the diarama can be made out of a corrugated cotton or container 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 [Music] Shell land Contours are made out of crumpled paper walls out of [Music] cardboard a thin mixture of plaster of Paris is used as an overlay for the [Music] foreground placed in the Shelf the foreground is painted the background is blocked out clay fig are carefully modeled to [Music] size accessories are painted the background is finished and blended with the foreground objects and accessories are placed in position and the diarama framed and lighted represents a unification of many learning experiences [Music] preparation of diaramas contributes to increased appreciation and understanding as well as to knowledge of subject matter wisely used the diarama is a valuable teaching tool [Music]