Posted by:
Carolyn Drake
8/6/2007 5:44:03 PM
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| Title: |
Class of Cards |
| Grade Level: |
High School |
| Subject Area: |
Arts
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| Lesson Time: |
Two sixty-minute class periods |
| Introduction: |
This is an exploratory lesson ideal for familiarizing
students with each other and with design. Students often
come into an art class nervous about creating art or
design. This project is a good way to get past that, as it
is quick and straightforward. In this lesson, students will
look at the work of Charles and Ray Eames, specifically
their "House of Cards, " a deck of notched cards covered
with a simple black and white design on one side, and a
repeating pattern on the other side. See the web sites
below for a visual example. The cards can be joined
together into any number of structures. Students will
design their own card using repetition and color on one
side, and symbolic images representing different aspects of
themselves on the other. Once the cards are complete,
students will present them and then assemble them into a
tower, creating the “ House of Cards. ” |
| Standards: |
Visual Arts Standard 1. Understands and applies media,
techniques, and processes related to the visual
arts Benchmark 1. Applies media, techniques, and
processes with sufficient skill, confidence, and
sensitivity that one’ s intentions are carried out in
artworks Knowledge/skill statements 1. Applies media with
sufficient skill, confidence, and sensitivity that
one’ s intentions are carried out in artworks 2.
Applies techniques with sufficient skill, confidence, and
sensitivity that one’ s intentions are carried out in
artworks Benchmark 3. Understands how the communication of
ideas relates to the media, techniques, and processes one
uses in various art forms Knowledge/skill statements 1.
Understands how the communication of ideas relates to the
media one uses in various art forms |
| Objectives: |
Students will: - learn about the work of Charles and Ray
Eames
- learn about and use the elements and principles of
design
- develop speaking skills through informal
presentation
- connect their personal identity with the
identity of the class
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| Resources: |
Background on Charles and Ray Eames: House of Cards Images: -
overhead projector or digital projector and computer
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| Materials: |
• cardstock cut into playing card size pieces
(packages of blank cards this size are also available)
• sketch paper • pencils •
black pens (preferably microns) •
colored pencils or markers • swatches of paper
or textiles that show repeating patterns •
Exacto knife and mat for cutting notches or scissors
• optional: rulers, shape templates, compasses
for experimenting with pattern |
| Vocabulary: |
Elements and principles of design (see attached handout) |
| Procedures: |
Day One: • Introduce the students to
the history and work of the designers, Charles and Ray
Eames (either make transparencies of the Internet
information, project the Web sites using a digital
projector, have the students conduct their own research, or
pass out Xeroxes, etc. ). Encourage a class discussion
about the images of their work and different fields they
worked in. • Once the students have a
fair understanding of the work done by the Eames’ ,
show students the images of the "House of Cards". Discuss
the use of repetition in the “ House of Cards”
and point out the various patterns and everyday objects
used on the back of the cards. •
Handout the “ Elements and Principles of
Design” handout and encourage students to familiarize
themselves with and use the vocabulary throughout the
"House of Cards" project. • Now, pass around
examples of interesting paper or textiles that demonstrate
different elements and principles of design. Have students
point out the elements they see and help them identify that
these elements work together to create the interesting
designs. This is meant to be a brief overview focusing on
repetition, pattern, color, and geometric and organic
shapes. • Introduce the "Class of Cards"
project and pass out the attached “ Class of
Cards” handout. (You may want to create a sample card
to show the students. ) • Have students begin
sketching ideas for side one of their card. Encourage them
to create patterns using images of everyday objects,
interesting shapes, and colors that interest them. •
Once students have designed at least three different
patterns, they should share them with a peer and choose one
pattern to focus on. • By the end of class,
students should have chosen the design and color scheme for
one side of the card. Some students may have begun
rendering the final card. Day Two: •
Before students dive into their final renderings, review
the requirements for the second side of the card (part 2 of
the attached “ Class of Cards” handout) so they
will have this in mind as they are working on side one.
• Once side one is complete, students should
begin designing the 4 logos that will be displayed on side
two. • Once the four logos have been designed
and laid out on side two, students should share the
images with a peer. Encourage students to design their
symbols without too many details, as they will get lost on
this scale. • Students should add side two to
their cards, first in pencil, and then in ink. •
Depending on the age of the kids, reliable students
or the teacher can use the Exacto knife to cut notches into
the cards. Scissors can also be used in place of the Exacto
knife. Either way, make sure students measure out the
notches carefully since the will affect whether or not the
cards will fit together. • When both
sides of the card are complete and the notches have been
cut, have students introduce themselves and explain the
four symbols on their card before adding their card to the
"Class of Cards" structure. If you run short on time, this
can be done at the beginning of the next class. •
If you have the resources, you may want to have the
cards laminated. They will last much longer and the added
stiffness will help keep the "Class of Cards" rigid. |
| Assessment: |
Formative Assessment: •
participation in discussions • work ethic
• informal presentation Summative
Assessment: • finished card meets
expectations listed on attached handout |
Enrichment
Extension Activities: |
No Enrichment Extension Activities available. |
| Teacher Reflection: |
N/A. |
Related
Files: |
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