Metal: Lesson Ideas with Copper
Scroll down to find a variety of multicultural tribal specific lesson ideas. Most lessons incorporate Native American Culture by tribe and region, elements and principles of art, cross-curricular suggestions and materials. (more to come)
Click HERE to access my TPT account for additional lessons, rubrics and resources.
Click HERE to access my TPT account for additional lessons, rubrics and resources.
Copper was a very valuable resource for Native American tribes, particularly in the Great Lakes region. They are some of the first people in world to use copper to create tools. Copper mines are abundant in the area. This allowed copper to be harvested with little effort compared to modern mines. Copper is a soft metal, it is easy to hammer and has a fairly low melting point. It is has been associated with healing characteristics and worn as jewels. One can also find copper socks, copper shirts, braces, etc. sought after in the health and athletic industry. As an art teacher, it is beauty of copper that draws my eye! Below are a few ideas for sharing the beauty of copper!
There are plenty of YouTube videos to share how to etch.
Older students will enjoy the feel of a hammer to mold and shape sheet copper! Because it is a softer metal, sawing and bending with tools is also a great way to explore the properties of copper!
And don't forget about copper wire!
There are plenty of YouTube videos to share how to etch.
Older students will enjoy the feel of a hammer to mold and shape sheet copper! Because it is a softer metal, sawing and bending with tools is also a great way to explore the properties of copper!
And don't forget about copper wire!
How Raven Stole the Sun/Tlingit Legends
Metal Tooling
This is a great lesson for tooling metal. You can use tin foil, or tooling metal at an art supply store. I buy it by the roll, it lasts a couple of years that way. It is a hassle to cut, but worth the money saved!
Tribe (s): Tlingit Region: North West Coast
Cross curricular connections: Lang arts
Grade(s): 4-6
Elements/Principles of art: Line and Texture
Materials:
Tooling metal or Heavy duty tin foil
wooden stylus
magazines
Tlingit Legend: How the Raven Stole the Sun, by Maria Williams.
Discussion questions:
Review the legend, what happened?
Metal Tooling
This is a great lesson for tooling metal. You can use tin foil, or tooling metal at an art supply store. I buy it by the roll, it lasts a couple of years that way. It is a hassle to cut, but worth the money saved!
Tribe (s): Tlingit Region: North West Coast
Cross curricular connections: Lang arts
Grade(s): 4-6
Elements/Principles of art: Line and Texture
Materials:
Tooling metal or Heavy duty tin foil
wooden stylus
magazines
Tlingit Legend: How the Raven Stole the Sun, by Maria Williams.
Discussion questions:
Review the legend, what happened?
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Song for the Horse Nation Wire Sculpture Lesson Plan
Grades 4-5 Tribe: Plains
Resources-
Song for the Horse Nation
Materials:
Assorted Wire, wire cutter, plyers
Procedures:
- Draw contour drawing of horse (or animal of choice). Simplify lines.
- Use a thick gage wire to make contour of head, neck and body - double back, then wrap to create width.
- Add additional wires to build up form. Strengthen legs with additional wrapped wires.
- (Optional) add foil tooling pieces across wires for interest and for volume.
**Explore the amazing horse sculptures by Deborah Butterfield.
Copper Necklace with Polymer Clay
Students will create a necklace incorporating an artifact representing the first Nations in the Great Lakes area (Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan).
Introduction:
North America's First Metal Miners & Metal Artisans
"Have you ever thought about who the first metal miners and metal workers in North America were? What metal did they mine, where did they mine it, and what did they do with the metal?
Large deposits of 99%+ pure native copper are known on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Isle Royale and the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan.
Materials:
Sculpey clay, toaster oven to bake, Copper Rub n Buff’, small clay tools,tooth picks, leather cord or other string for necklace
Students will create a necklace incorporating an artifact representing the first Nations in the Great Lakes area (Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan).
Introduction:
North America's First Metal Miners & Metal Artisans
"Have you ever thought about who the first metal miners and metal workers in North America were? What metal did they mine, where did they mine it, and what did they do with the metal?
Large deposits of 99%+ pure native copper are known on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Isle Royale and the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan.
Materials:
Sculpey clay, toaster oven to bake, Copper Rub n Buff’, small clay tools,tooth picks, leather cord or other string for necklace
Native American Art: "Metal Etching, Sawing, Texturizing" Ideas
7th Grade work
Etching Copper resources:
Making Etched Metal Jewelry
Google for simple etching directions.
There are several methods.
I have used 2 methods: Ferric Chloride and the Battery method. Both were successful.
Making Etched Metal Jewelry
Google for simple etching directions.
There are several methods.
I have used 2 methods: Ferric Chloride and the Battery method. Both were successful.
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Be aware that all text and images on the Native American Activities website are Copyright Protected.
You must obtain written permission to reproduce or transmit any NativeAmericanActivities materials.
Teachers may print-out text and images without restriction for use in a non-internet classroom setting.
The following statement should be included on each copy:
Copyright © 2023 Native American Projects & Lessons Plans. Internet URL: http://www.nativeamericanactivities.com