Radial Pattern Making

Lesson Plan Created by Corinne Takara & Pantea Karimi

Explore: Radial Pattern Design
Grade Level: 4 and 5
Time: 1 hour workshop (could be extended in two 1-hour workshops if needed)
Timeline for the project: Sep-Oct.2011

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
This project is an exploration into pattern design reflecting on environments and community; past, present and future.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

  • Students will understand geometry in context of an art pattern design project.
  • Students will learn to discuss their radial pattern designs using both math and visual arts vocabularies such as: arc, concentric, geometric, balance, repetition, contrast, angle, protractor, parallel, compass, symmetry, radial pattern, intersect, bisect.
  • Students will identify visual imagery unique to students’ community, their environments and culture, and translate those elements to patterns designs.

ART AND DESIGN HISTORY CONNECTION:

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS and THEMES:
As students discuss the below themes and brainstorm ideas, assign a student to write down class ideas and thoughts on a large piece of paper or on a board. Please photograph and share these notes as a blog posting on the Slot Shelters website. PK: can teachers post an image to the blog? or do they have to type all the notes back to the blog?? CT: Good question. I will check on this. PK: OK!

Ask and show samples of radial pattern design:

  • What is this? (show Tibetan mandela) What does this pattern represent to these monks?
  • What is this? (show Mayan Calendar) What does this pattern represent here?
  • What is this? (show M.C. Escher radial pattern example) What does this image have in common with the other two?
  • How would you define radial pattern design?
  • What are examples of man made radial pattern designs? (i.e. hub caps)
  • What are examples of radial pattern designs in nature? (i.e. spider web)

Themes: 1. Cultural Celebrations/Festivals/Community Events 2. Neighborhood and Environment 3. Transportation 4. Geography

Students discuss the above themes:

  • Students describe how communities vary in land use, population density, architecture, services, and transportation.
  • Students describe the social and cultural life in their region and neighborhoods and interactions among people (celebration, festivals, community events, etc.).

Ask and show samples:

  • What particular elements would make their students’community visually unique?
  • What are the common patterns used in their town’s or neighborhood’s architecture both indoor/outdoor?
  • What are the most common colors and patterns used in traditional arts and crafts specific to their culture/s? i.e.; fabrics, carpets, pottery, clothes, households, etc.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Tracing paper (8″ x8″ squares)
  • Pencil, colored pencils, regular markers

LESSON PLAN PROCEDURE:

1. Measure and cut the tracing papers into perfect squares depending on the available tracing paper size: if you have a 9×12 in. (22.9x 30.5 cm) tracing paper, you will cut your tracing paper into 8×8 in. (20.5×20.5 cm). This process can be done by either students or teachers.
2. Making the guidelines: A. fold your square into a triangle. B. Fold your triangle into a smaller triangle. C. Open up your paper and lay it flat, then fold it in half into a rectangle. D. Fold this rectangle in half into a square, then lay paper flat again.
3. Create a radial pattern tile: You will notice that your square piece of paper is now creased showing eight triangles. Choose one triangle (1/8) of your tracing paper and create a pattern in that area. Students’ pattern design could consist of simple images, shapes, words, etc. that is inspired by the 4 themes that are already discussed: the patterns can represent their community, transportation and vehicles they daily use, the environment around them, forms and elements that are found in their native traditional arts, or colors and materials used in their neighborhood’s buildings. Sketch your idea using pencil in one triangle (1/8) of your tracing paper. Then use colored markers (preferred) to color your pattern designs. Be sure not to create a design that crosses over into the other triangles near it.
4. Trace pattern to neighboring triangle creating 1/4 of radial repeat: Fold paper in half in a triangle so that drawing side is towards the outside and so that you can trace your pattern on neighboring triangle. In this way you are creating a mirror reflection of initial design on the same side of the paper.
5. Trace pattern onto another 1/4 of paper. Open up paper to see design. Now fold paper in half as a triangle so that you can trace the design onto the other side of the paper. Once you have traced, you will now have 1/2 of your pattern design created.
6. Trace pattern onto remaining 1/2 of paper. Open up paper and lay flat. (be careful not to smear colors as marker on tracing paper takes a while to dry). Now fold paper in to a rectangle to trace onto last remaining two 1/4 sections.
Sample of two ways to mirror reflect below:

VISUAL EXAMPLES:

7. Each student reflects in writing on the meaning of their pattern designs on Student
Project Statement form.
ADAPTATION AND EXTENSION:
Students could create pattern designs representing other aspects of their cultures: food,
vegetation, habits, folk music, words of wisdom, mythology, or family and friends.
Students visit the Math Forum website to learn more about pattern design and math:
http://mathforum.org/geometry/rugs/symmetry/  and The Four Basic Symmetries:
http://mathforum.org/geometry/rugs/symmetry/basic.html
More on Pattern Making:

●The Quilts of Gee’s Bend, quilts made by four generations of African American women. Bold geometric shapes, and an improvisational approach to the way the fabrics are assembled produce abstract compositions more akin to the rhythms of jazz and African art. More information on The Quilts of Gee’s Bend: http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/quilts-gees-bend http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/history/ http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/tag/the-quilts-of-gees-bend/
CLOSURE:

●Students present and share their pattern designs.                                                      ●They discuss reasons and ideas behind their choices.

ASSESSMENT:
Did student create accurate radial pattern designs? Did student use correct math and visual arts vocabulary in explaining their pattern design in class discussions? Did student use appropriate imagery representing their community? Did student create a neat and careful pattern design? Did student complete design in timely manner?(rubric)
NOTE TO THE TEACHER:

●Teacher may use the Slot Shelters Project reference image file for showing this lesson plan’s required image examples. Teachers may access the file from Slot Shelters website from Downloads page.

●Teachers are requested to bring in the  required examples from the students’ unique environment/neighborhood and culture for the part, ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS and THEMES

●Tracing papers must be measured and cut into squares. It is preferable that teachers do this process prior to lesson.

●Student Project Statement forms should be printed in advance. 1 form per student.

●Student Project Statement and the Student’s Pattern Design on the tracing paper is photographed or scanned. Finally, the art is uploaded to picassa folder or a skydrive folder or shared online with Project Lead team via a predetermined format.

ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY:
Pattern: the repetition of an element (or elements) in a work of art.
Radial Pattern: Visual elements (shapes, words, images) are distributed around a central point and often radiate from it.
Repetition:Tessellation or tiling of the plane: is a pattern of plane figures that fills the plane with no overlaps and no gaps. One may also speak of tessellations of parts of the plane or of other surfaces.
Symmetry: An exact matching of form and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a boundary, such as a plane or line, or around a central point or axis.
Contrast: Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) (in painting) the effect of the juxtaposition of different colors, tones, etc.
Balance: A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design
Geometric, (Mathematics): of, relating to, or following the methods and principles of geometry Or consisting of, formed by, or characterized by points, lines, curves, or surfaces a geometric figure
Geometric, (Fine Arts, Design or Ornamentation): composed predominantly of simple geometric forms, such as circles, rectangles, triangles, etc.
Arc: A segment of a circle.
concentric, Having a common center.
Radial: Of, relating to, or arranged like rays or radii.
Angle: The figure formed by two lines diverging from a common point.
Parallel: a. Of, relating to, or designating two or more straight coplanar lines that do not intersect. b. Of, relating to, or designating two or more planes that do not intersect.
Bisect: to cut or divide into two parts, especially two equal parts.
Vectors: Also called polar vector, a variable quantity, such as force, that has magnitude and direction and can be resolved into components that are odd functions of the coordinates. It is represented in print by a bold italic symbol: F or F̄ Compare
Radius: a. A line segment that joins the center of a circle with any point on its
circumference. b. A line segment that joins the center of a sphere with any point on its surface. c. A line segment that joins the center of a regular polygon with any of its vertices.
Supplementary angles: two angles whose sum is 180°.
Protractor: an instrument for measuring or drawing angles on paper.
Intersect: a. to divide, cut, or mark off by passing through or across.
b. (Mathematics) to have one or more points in common (with another configuration).
Community: a. A group of people living in the same locality and under the same
government.
b. The district or locality in which such a group lives.
GRADE FOUR & FIVE STANDARDS ADDRESSED
Grade 4: Mathematics: Measurement and Geometry/ Operations and Algebraic Thinking Students demonstrate an understanding of plane and solid geometric objects
and use this knowledge to show relationships and solve problems: Identify lines that are
parallel and perpendicular. Identify the radius and diameter of a circle.
Identify congruent figures. Compare geometric figures using size, shape, orientation.
Generate and analyze patterns. Visualize, describe, and make models of geometric solids (e.g., prisms, pyramids). Know the definitions of different triangles (e.g., equilateral, isosceles, scalene)
Grade 5: Mathematics/5/Measurement and Geometry
Transformational Geometry: Identify and draw lines of symmetry of basic geometric
shapes. Students identify, describe, and classify the properties of, and the
relationships between, plane and solid geometric figures: Measure, identify, and draw
angles, perpendicular and parallel lines, rectangles, and triangles by using appropriate tools (e.g., straightedge, ruler, compass, protractor, drawing software).
Identify and use the following plane and solid figures: pentagon, hexagon, octagon,
pyramid, rectangular prism, and cone.
Grade 4: Social Studies Standards: Culture and Geography
Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions: use maps, charts, and pictures to describe how communities vary in land use, vegetation, wildlife, climate, population density, architecture, services, and transportation.  Students describe the social, political, cultural life (celebration, festivals) and interactions among people.
Grade 5: Social Studies Standards: Culture and Geography
Describe how geography and climate influenced the way various nations lived and
adjusted to the natural environment, including locations of villages, the distinct structures that they built, and how they obtained food, clothing, tools, and utensils.
Describe their varied customs and folklore traditions.
Analyze Art Elements and Principles of Design for Grade 4 & 5:
Describe and analyze the elements of art (e.g., color, shape/form, line, texture, space,
pattern and value), emphasizing form, as they are used in works of art and found in the
environment.

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