2.3 Identifying patterns in the environment

Arts and culture

Grade 5

Expression and communication

Module 8

Visual art

ACTIVITY 1

TO IDENTIFY PATTERNS IN THE ENVIRONMNET IN PREPARING TO WRITE AN ESSAY (INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP)

[LO 4.6]

Before we can start with the activity we will have to look at different patterns in our own environment. You can look for them at home, at the school, on your way between the school and home, at your local café, supermarket or shopping centre. If you cannot find enough examples, you may also look in magazines, the library or on the Internet.

When you have gathered enough examples, you can start writing an essay or research task. The essay must be approximately ten pages long, and at least five of those pages must be written or typed. The rest of the pages can be used for pictures or illustrations of the patterns you are discussing in your essay.

Look at the pattern examples you have chosen and write about the following:

 the use of colour in each example;

 the designs of the various patterns – are there shapes like circles, triangles, etc, for example?

 the possible inclusion of signs and/or symbols representing something; and

 the possibility of cultural differences in the various patterns.

ASSESSMENT

ACTIVITY 2

TO PREPARE AND PRESENT A REPORT ON VARIOUS PATTERNS (GROUP WORK)

[LO 4.6]

Once you have completed your research essay you will be given the opportunity in class to share your information with each other in groups. Thereafter each group will get a chance to give a summary to the rest of the class.

While each group is busy with feedback to the class you must listen to their findings and assess the group according to the table below.

PEER ASSESSMENT

Suggested format

Group:

ACTIVITY 3

TO CREATE AN OWN PATTERN, TO APPLY A COLLAGE AND TO STRENGTHEN THE PATTERN WITH COLOUR (INDIVIDUAL)

[LO 4.6]

Bring any photograph from home – a portrait of yourself or a photograph of your family. In class you will make a frame for your photograph.

Step 1:

Decide which shape your frame will be – square, round, oval or rectangular – any shape you think will suit the photograph. Take thin cardboard and cut or tear out the shape you have chosen.

Step 2:

Next you must draw any pattern on your frame. Think of all the patterns you saw when you wrote the essay on patterns, and then design your own pattern.

Step 3:

Use any waste materials like beads, leaves, straws, lace, rope, buttons, seeds or cardboard to glue onto your pattern. We call this a collage. Remember that the objects you glue onto your design should strengthen the pattern and, like the pattern, be repeated.

Step 4:

Once the glue has dried you can also add colour with wax crayons, oil pastels or paint.