Peep Show Shoe Box
Lesson: You will be creating a 3-Dimensional “Peep Show” out of a shoe box. Your scene could be a favorite place outdoors or in, as well as underwater, outer space, etc.
Materials: You need a shoe box (or similar size box), magazines, colored construction paper, glue, scissors, transparent colored cellophane/gift wrap, masking tape, pencil, cardboard scraps, (colored pencils & markers optional)
Directions:
1. Cut a peep hole at the small end of your box-- about the size of a quarter
-centered both ways is best
2. Cut lid leaving at least a 1” border on top for gluing cellophane later
3. Picture your idea & try to select a main color that would work with your scene. Look for this color to begin your backdrop/background (furthest away)
-Colored construction paper combined w/ magazines usually works well
4. Start at the far end of your box when looking in the peep hole—the back side of your box 1st & then side walls of the box
5. Remember that some of your scene will be out of site. Keep looking thru your peep hole when arranging your pieces.
-Wait to glue anything in place until you have collected enough paper to
place around the back & sides of your box.
6. Begin to glue down your back drop carefully.
7. Next pick a color for your ground. Remember you will not see details on it.
3-D affects: (Only after you have created your back drop & checked to make sure it flows together…)
1. Think about adding stand-up elements to your scene. Anything is possible—mountains, trees, animals, people, plants, flowers, birds, walls, furniture, etc.
2. Find magazine pics the correct size or make your items from paper.
3. Cut out shapes very carefully so that your illusion of 3-D is more believable.
4. Attach to thin cardboard if too flimsy
5. Make an L-shaped tab to attach to the back of your stand-up elements. Use glue & tape if necessary.
6. Check peep hole for placement before attaching.
7. Vary placement within your scene--you need at least 5 stand-up elements. Do not limit yourself --one student used around 50 pieces made by hand!
Grading:
A=
Creativity= unique idea & thoughtfully planned
Craftsmanship=you took your time arranging, cutting, & gluing, etc. (not sloppy or
falling apart)
Effort= you challenged yourself & made the most of all of your class time
Composition= believable scene from the “peep hole”
-magazine objects are cut out away from backgrounds carefully
-6 or more stand-up objects were used to create the 3-D effect
Finishing Touches=
-disguised & decorated outside of shoe box (can’t tell what was in it)
-lid is decorated & has plastic film
B= missing 1 of the above
C=missing 2 of the above
D=missing 3 of the above (or incomplete)
F=almost no participation/ no participation observed in class (incomplete)