Heidi Wong

Shoe, Shoo, Shew - Lesson Plan

This lesson plan consists of three activities that help students think about how form affects the function of an object, using shoes as an example. It can be used in areas of studies like visual arts or family studies. The educational activities can take place within a classroom setting. However, a visit to the Bata Shoe Museum, to see the shoes that will be discussed or to find inspiration for the studio activity, can enrich the student's learning.

Teacher Resource

Age Group: Gr. 9-12

Materials:

• Image of Puma Suede shoe
• Image of Cryptokicks
• Clay
• Lego
• Collage materials
• Cardboard
• Digital Software (Photoshop, Illustration, Blender, etc)
• Digital Camera
• Scanner

🎯 Learning Goals	✅ Success Criteria (I can...)
Understand the different purposes objects can have.	Describe the significance of the Puma Suede, Cryptokicks, and my personal narrative shoe.
Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate objects.	Describe an art object without value judgements. Determine why certain characteristics were used to convey specific ideas. Explain the meaning of an art object. Consider why an art object is important. Connect an art object to broader concepts - social, political, historical.
Use different media to communicate an idea or message.	Create a shoe that communicates a personal narrative.

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Activities

Puma Suede - Think, Pair, Share 

(5-10 minutes)

✅ Establish the idea that most shoes are created for the purpose of being functional, 

      practical, and perhaps stylish.

Guidelines *Consult sources found in the Teacher Resource or information noted in this lesson plan.

1. Introduce the exhibition Obsessed.

THINK

Pose the following two questions to your class:

1. What materials is this shoe made of?
2. Why is this shoe important?

PAIR

Group students into partners or small groups of 3-4 depending on class size and have them share their responses with each other.

SHARE

After students have shared their thoughts, open the discussion to the class. As the teacher, provide context regarding the shoe. This information can be found in the Teacher Resource and is noted below.

What materials is the shoe made of?

• Synthetic leather
• Suede leather
• Gold Metallic Foil
• Rubber

Why is this shoe important?

• Released to the public in 1968, the Puma Suede became an icon in sport, style, and music.
• Functional shoe that offered style and some degree of personalization.
• Partnership with Bobbito Garcia celebrates the 50th year since this shoe's release.

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Cryptokicks - Critical Analysis 

(15 minutes)

✅ Transition from the idea that shoes are created for practicality to objects of collection and

      commodification.

✅ Establish how materials can affect the economic value of an object.

Guidelines *Consult sources found in the Teacher Resource or information noted in this lesson plan.

    1. Introduce the exhibition Future Now.

    2. Explain to student what a critical analysis is.

• It helps us look at art objects in a more objective manner.
• It consists of four stages: describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate.

    3. Pose some or all of the questions to your class following this process.

    4. While going through each stage, provide students with additional information for context

        and to spark more ideas.

• Users can design and mint their own NFT sneakers through Cryptokickers.
• Digital wearables and collectibles have an ever-expanding market, bring in billions of dollars.

DESCRIBE

• What colours do you see?
• What shapes do you see?
• What is the size of the shoe?
• What does it feel like?

ANALYZE

• How does the material affect the object?
• How does the shoe evoke feelings, ideas, and images?
• What does the shoe or certain elements of the shoe remind you of?

INTERPRET

• What is the message or meaning behind the shoe?
• What is the purpose of this shoe?
• How does your interpretation of the shoe differ from others?

EVALUATE

• Where and when was the work created?
• Does the shoe address wider social, historical, or political topics?
• What questions does it raise about the purpose of the shoe?
• What is the significance of the shoe in culture or society?

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Studio Activity 

(1 hour or more)

Materials: clay, lego, building blocks, collage materials, digital software, digital camera, scanner

*Note these materials are considered suggested materials. Feel free to add or subtract. Options are endless.

Guidelines *Consult sources found in the Teacher Resource or information noted in this lesson plan.

1. Students are to create a shoe that communicates a personal narrative.
2. They can use found materials, digital software, or a combination of both!
3. The shoe can be three-dimensional or simply a representation of one - two dimensional.
4. To find inspiration, visit the Bata Shoe Museum in person or view image from their current and online exhibitions.
5. After completion, students are to share their work and explain their concept.