In January 2019, third graders at Penns Manor Elementary used known math skills and new math skills to draft a pattern and dress a four harness loom to create a woven wall hanging. Twelve core students learned the basic skills and then taught their peers and classroom teachers under the guidance of teaching artist Sandra Trimble. It turned out to…

In the author's experience, sewing projects have consistently led to a quiet, engaged artroom full of busy, motivated students. Maybe it's the gradual fusion of pieces of fabric to make a tidy, compact unit, or the magic of the thread holding cloth together, or the repetitive action of making stitches. Whatever the reason, the rhythm of sewing a…

Matisse's use of bright colors and strong pattern is an instant motivator for elementary students. He effectively balances colors and simple shapes. This lesson, designed for 3rd graders, is an example of how art studio experiences for young students can draw upon art history. Sections include: (1) Discovering Patterns; (2) Planning Special…

Pattern manifests itself in many ways through properties such as symmetry, repetition, translation, and illusion. This guide, appropriate for use with grades 6-12, presents patterns that are formed entirely by straight lines, yet appear to contain or be formed by curves. Exploring these geometrical shapes offers an opportunity to discover various…

The Golden Section, also known as the "Golden Mean" and the "Divine Proportion," is a ratio found in art and nature that has mathematical properties. This book explores these geometric and algebraic properties in a variety of activities. Construction problems, designs using the pentagon and pentagram, and opportunities to work…

This book contains transparency masters, duplication masters, and activities for teaching tessellating art. Part 1 gives instructions and information for creating transparencies from the paper masters in this book. Part 2 provides the transparency masters along with detailed instructions about when and how to use each of the transparencies.…

This book explores a class of geometric patterns called tessellations, a pattern made up of one or more shapes which completely cover a surface without any gaps or overlaps. Focus in on one of the more elementary types of tessellations and investigation of them through concepts basic to art, geometry, and design. The seven chapters look at which…

This booklet contains examples of textile designs created by the Shoowa, a subgroup of the Kuba people of Zaire, Africa; the examples were part of the National Museum of African Art exhibition, "Shoowa Design: Raffia Textiles from Zaire." Additional information is provided about the Shoowa people and how Shoowa textiles are used, made,…

This instructional guide presents the comprehensive techniques and procedures basic to quiltmaking in a format adaptable for use with elementary or secondary level students. Charts and diagrams illustrate the sequentially organized text. Information is presented in 15 chapters: (1) "Tools and Equipment"; (2)" Fabric and…

The activities presented in this guide are designed for elementary age students, and intended to provide hands-on, integrated learning experiences. A learning station format is indicated for open ended activities which include a "Preliminary Activity: Free Exploration First!", an "Introductory Activity: Architect/Builder", and…

Creating with fabrics, yarns, and fibers--from early basic explorations in handling an assortment of cloths and trimmings, through experiments with stitching and weaving, to the designing and making of bags, hats, and costumes that children can use--is the focus of this curriculum guide. For each grade (2-6), guidelines are provided on (1)…

Presents four lesson plans centered around artworks involving Japanese clothing. Instructional materials include color plates of a 19th century print showing women's clothing, two beautifully handcrafted coats, and a coverlet in kimono form. The lesson plans discuss Japanese clothing, art, society, and culture. (MJP)