Teaching Sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

25 minutes	Part A: Sustainability in the classroom
30 minutes	Part B: Pencil shaving illustration
05 minutes	Reflection

Part A: Sustainability in the Classroom

Step 1.

Start by asking students about what they think sustainability means. If required, remind students about some definitions of sustainability:

Some Definitions of Sustainability

- The ability for something to keep going at the same rate and in just as good condition as before.
- Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- Living within the limits of what the environment can provide and understanding the many interconnections between the economy, society and the environment.

Step 2.

As a class, view The Cycle of the EcoPencil. This diagram details the manufacturing process of Faber-Castell's EcoPencils and highlights an example of sustainable manufacturing. The diagram could be projected or printed and shown in small groups. Further explain to your class that Faber-Castell have planted over 40,000 native plants throughout their plantations which were previously pastures and grassland, to create diverse, native forests. The native plants are not harvested to produce pencils, so they can remain home to a range of animals.

Step 3.

Ask students: what can you see in the diagram that tells you that Faber-Castell EcoPencils are manufactured sustainably (i.e. not just 'taking' from the environment they are produced in)?

Some responses could include:

Trees are grown specifically to make EcoPencils (meaning that other forests aren't logged)
The tree branches, leaves and roots all fertilise the soil, adding back to the environment
The trees support wildlife while they are growing
Trees that are not wide enough for pencil production are used to generate power in the factory (not just discarded)

Part B: Pencil Shaving Illustration

Step 1.

Inform students that in this part of the lesson, they will create a sustainable artwork using pencil shavings - a material that is traditionally thrown away. Just as Faber-Castell use all of the wood from their trees during pencil production, students can use every part of a pencil in their artwork.

Step 2.

Show students this short video featuring work by illustrator Marta Altes.

Artist uses pencil shavings for art (https://youtu.be/IjKF5sP9Zmo)

Step 3.

Draw students' attention to how the pencil shavings can form shapes that become part of the illustration, e.g. a woman’s skirt or a flower’s petals, and the way pencil shavings have been layered to add dimension to the work. Strengthen students' understanding of the process Marta Altes (the artist) uses to create her illustrations. You could also project this article from The Guardian that features a guide to pencil-shaving illustrations by Marta Altes.

Step 4.

Distribute a piece of A3-sized paper to students, and ask them to begin sharpening blunt pencils. Once students have some pencil shavings, encourage them to experiment by placing the shavings in different formations on their paper. Shapes will begin to form – encourage students to embrace their creativity and allow their imagination to make up the rest.

Step 5.

Suggest to students that they use a grey lead to add in the illustrative details needed to complete their pencil-shaving person, animal or object. Students should aim to create 3 to 4 different illustrations, spreading them out across their page. This process enables students to start with something small, an unprescribed idea, and to appreciate and explore the creative possibilities.

Step 6.

Students can then trace over their illustrations using a fine liner and stick their pencil shavings in place using PVA glue.

Reflection

Ask students to respond to the following question on the Student Worksheet:

What is one other material that you would normally throw way that could be used in an artwork? Describe the material and how you would use it.

Then, ask volunteers to share their ideas, and highlight that using materials that would otherwise be thrown away is a great way to take action towards sustainability.

Differentiated Learning

Extension

Encourage students to plan and create an entire scene with their pencil-shaving creations.

Ask students to look around the classroom for three things that could be reused or repurposed for an artwork in order to reduce waste. For example, paper towel rolls could be reused in a sculptural artwork, bottle caps could be used in a collage, empty paint bottles could be cut down and used as water containers for cleaning paintbrushes, etc.

Provisions for Learning Support

Suggest to students that they start by re-creating some of the pencil-shaving pictures they saw in the video example.

Teacher Reflection

Take this opportunity to reflect on your own teaching

What did you learn about your teaching today?
What worked well?
What didn’t work so well?
What would you share?
Where to next?
How are you going to get there?

Creative Sustainability - Pencil Shaving Sketches

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