Lesson #9 - Visual Rhythm and Functional Art

Objective - The students will learn that visual rhythm and texture may be created by repeating designs, and that many cultures express themselves creatively through functional art. They will create their own version of visual rhythm and texture by scratching designs in paint and making a monoprint from their original.

Focus Element - line, shape, texture

Focus Principle - rhythm

Standards

(AP) Artistic Perception - Identify the elements of visual art.(1.1)

(CE) Creative Expression - Create original works of art.(2.1)

(HCC) Historical and Cultural Context - Understand the place of art in history and

multicultural studies.(3.1)

(AV) Aesthetic Valuing - Analyze one's own and others' artwork.(4.1)

Open Court Themes

Pictures Tell StoriesFriendship

Stick To ItSchool

Shadows

Concept

Artist can use repeated patterns to give visual rhythm and texture to special everyday objects, which are known as functional art.

Resources

ADVENTURES IN ART: pp. 110 & 111

ART CONNECTIONS: pp. 112-113

ART EXPRESS: pp. 38-39 (The lesson comes directly from this series.)

PORTFOLIOS: pp. 66-67

Art example: Jar with Zigzag Pattern, Lucy Lewis

Vocabulary words

linezigzag

wavystraightcurved

jarpattern

visual rhythmtexture

functional art (art we can use)monoprint

Materials

  • aluminum foil sheets or wax paper, at least 10” x12”
  • black tempera paint
  • tempera brushes or sponge brushes
  • chipboard “combs” (cardboard rectangles with notches of varying sizes cut along one side) OR a variety of cheap plastic combs
  • white drawing paper 9” x 12” or larger
  • masking tape
  • chipboard

Kindergarten, lesson #9

DIRECTED LESSON

Get Set

Explore and form line patterns by drawing four lines on a chart: straight, zigzag, straight, zigzag. Describe the lines as the children draw them in the air. Ask the children what line will come next. Explain that this is a pattern, a design with repeated parts. Have the children stand and move in a straight or zigzag line as you call out the pattern. Talk about rhythm as a repeat pattern. Use music as an example. Have students “snap/clap” a rhythmic pattern.

Focus

Display Jar with Zigzag Pattern and ask the children to identify and describe the object. How would the students use the jar if it were theirs (to store apples, candy, pencils, water, etc.)? Develop the idea of art we can use. Find examples of things in the classroom that we use that have patterns on them. These may include clothing, the rug, the soles of the children’s shoes, etc. Make a class chart with labeled drawings of the objects you discuss, showing simple patterns.

Develop

  1. Make sure tables are covered with newspaper or plastic. Distribute foil and tape it in place for the children, so it won’t slide around. Give each child a tablespoon of black tempera on the foil. Demonstrate how to spread the paint evenly with a tempera brush, leaving the edges of the foil unpainted.
  2. Demonstrate using the comb in order to create a pattern in the black paint. Explain that the comb should be pulled across the wet paint from one side of the foil to the other. The children must work quickly so that the paint does not dry before they have made their designs.
  3. When a pattern has been achieved, a monoprint may be made by placing a piece of paper on top of the design, and then pulling it carefully off the foil.
  4. Allow both designs to dry, and then mount them separately. The foil should be placed on a piece of chipboard with the edges tucked behind, and then mounted on a larger piece of paper.

Evaluation

Display all the work. Have students look at the line patterns. How do the patterns differ? How are they the same? How did they get the foil lines and the black lines to show? Do they see rhythm in the designs? Can they hum or sing their designs? Introduce the idea of visual texture, or texture we can identify just by using our eyes. Can the students find visual texture in their artwork? Find other examples of visual texture around the classroom.

Summary

Rhythm can be created in artwork by repeating patterns of lines, colors, or shapes. Visual texture is also depicted in this manner by using a variety of lines. Functional art is all around us and commonly is covered with patterns (visual rhythm) and visual texture.

Journal writing prompt

Draw some things you can use, such as clothing, a plate, or a pillow. Decorate your objects with lines. Write the names of the objects.

Extensions

  • MATH - Do snap/clap activities from Math Their Way.
  • READING - Read:
  • Do Pigs Have Stripes? by Melanie Walsh
  • Somewhere by Jane Baskwill
  • VA - Give students each a template of a jar. Have them draw with markers to decorate it with visual rhythm and texture.
  • VA - Students decorate a paper plate with marker lines/patterns. Laminate and use for a class party.
  • VA - Make a repeat pattern with gadget or cutup vegetable prints.
  • VA - Draw a picture of yourself. Design your own fabric patterns for your clothing.
  • VA - Play music with assorted tempos, and have children draw to the rhythm.

Assessment

(AP) I can find patterns in the room.

(CE) I can use lines to make patterns.

(HCC) I can talk about art we can use.

(AV) I can talk about my own artwork.