Curated OER
Enduring Patterns: Pre-Columbian Ecuadorean Textile Designs
Students examine Pre-Columbian Ecuadorean design motifs. They view examples of the designs, discuss the motif themes, and replicate the designs on modern fabric using authentic methods.
Sargent Art
Symmetry: A Design Problem
As part of a study of design, young artists examine an example of a formal (symmetrical) design and then, following step-by-step directions, create their own.
National Gallery of Canada
My Own Blanket
Invite your young artists to design blankets that express their own identities. Learners examine various pieces of art before brainstorming a few things that represent their identities. They use these ideas, in addition to symmetry and...
Curated OER
Design: Line
Students employ an analysis and exploration of line use, to understand line in terms of design, style, and functionality. The learners experiment with line design. Understanding dynamic and diverse use of line will broaden students'...
Curated OER
Ojibwa Sewn Bead Designs
Young scholars recognize and describe the sewn beading style of the Ojibwa tribe that was influenced by seventeenth-century French floral embroidery and fabric prints imported by the French traders. They adapt and recreate an Ojibwa bead...
Curated OER
India Motifs and Kalsmkari
Students are exposed to some Indian motifs as seen in Hindu temples. A traditional folk art of Southern India is also introduced. They explore at least two principles of design and two elements of design into their work. Complete a...
Curated OER
Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Crazy-Quilt Collage Design
Students create collages using the irregular-shaped and sized pieces, decorative stitching, and applied or painted motifs that reflect the Crazy-Quilt style, and explain how and why their design fits into that style.
Curated OER
Design Motifs and Eggs
Students create an Easter egg that displays at least one secondary color, one primary color, and one motif of design.
Curated OER
Creating Stage Designs that Reflect
Students identify and research cultural, historical, and symbolic clues in dramatic texts. They demonstrate knowledge of research sources.
Curated OER
Flower Symbolism
Fourth graders identify flowers as symbols in art forms. They focus on the Victorian era and create their own flower design for use in visual art or literary forms.
Curated OER
Ukrainian Style Scratchboard Eggs
The class explores Ukrainian motifs, the scratchboard technique, and two-dimensional art. They design and produce a Ukrainian style egg with tagboard, crayon, tempera paint, and a stylus. Ukrainian egg designs are similar to those used...
Curated OER
Chinese Art: Botanical Motifs
Students are introduced to Chinese Art and how artists used botanical motifs. They look at slides of motifs and then create a watercolor themselves. A functional motif will be created by them and they have to provide its meanings to...
Curated OER
Beginning Weaving on a Cardboard Loom
Students create examples of weaving techniques. They create a sampler that demonstrates tive different techniques. Students use colors, textures, and motifs with personal or cultural significance using a variety of materials.
Curated OER
Spot the Leaf: Identifying Plants in Works of Art
Students explore the leaf as a design motif in art. They conduct Internet research on leaf and tree symbolism, view and discuss artwork, and create an original work of art featuring a leaf or leaf motif.
Curated OER
Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Appliqué Bedcover Design
Students explore patriotic and classical motifs in applique design and technique. A bedcover or quilt is produced using appropriate symmetry, color,proportion and composition.
Curated OER
Finding Historical Motifs in Today's Furniture
Students observe and explain continuity with the past in contemporary furniture design.
Curated OER
A Matter of Style Activity: Furniture Design
Learners study the six styles of nineteenth-century furniture. They select their favorite style, then use three design elements from this style and sketch an idea for a piece of furniture.
Curated OER
Appliqué Bedcover
Students examine the process of creating patriotic American appliqué designs. They research American patriotic appliqué quilts, list American symbols, and design and create their own paper appliqué designs.
Curated OER
ISM: Bertha Stenge Quilt Collection Activity: Design a Local Quilting Pattern
Learners research quilt designs by Bertha Stenge. They make a list of things that they could stylize as a design motif. They create a quilt design based on local history and landmarks and sew it onto a pre-made quilt block or quilt.
Curated OER
Design Patterns in Everyday Life
Learners find symbols and patterns in everyday life. In this patterns lesson, students break into groups and look for specific patterns and symbols. Learners record their findings. Students create a graphic organizer with the information.
Curated OER
Visual Arts Lesson: Writing desk
Sixth graders examine a writing desk. They each make decorative drawers to scale for assembly into a class desk. They use repetitive motifs in their designs.
Curated OER
Creating a Decorative Drawer Front Concealing Student Treasures
Sixth graders describe the image of a writing desk. They create a separate drawer to scale and create a class desk that displays each drawer. Students use repetitive motifs in designing their drawers. To illustrate the use of the desk in...
Curated OER
Spice Container
Sixth graders examine and identify classic Greek and Roman motifs on spice containers. They analyze the process of casting and chiseling silver, and design and create a spice container using classic Greek and Roman design elements.
Curated OER
Ojibwa Sewn Bead Designs
Students research the Ojibwa beading design. They create their own beading necklace or bracelet.