Teaching Sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

20 minutes – Part A: Introducing Mexican Folk Art
80 minutes – Part B: Creating Mirrors
20 minutes – Reflection

Part A: Introducing Mexican Folk Art

Before beginning the lesson, ensure that students have the Student Worksheet, pencils and note paper with them on the floor so that they can record observations while viewing works of art.

Step 1.

Ensure that the learning intentions and success criteria are written on the board and read them aloud to students:

Students will...

... understand rotational (radial) symmetry.
... apply artistic techniques from different cultures and times.

Students can...

... explain what rotational (radial) symmetry is.
... create works of art with rotational (radial) symmetry.
... share observations about artwork from other cultures.
... apply techniques observed in the work of others in my own work.

Step 2.

Explain to students that they are going to watch a clip showing various Mexican Folk Art paintings. Encourage the class to observe similarities in the paintings shown and record their observations.

Show the following clip:

Mexican Folk Paintings | Akrithi School of Arts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx8Vc2E-svc)

Step 3.

Invite students to share their observations with the class. As students share, link their observations to art elements and principles:

Frequent use of circles (element - shape).
Inclusion of patterns within the circles (principle - pattern).
Use of bright colours (element - value/tone; colour).
Solid blocks of colour with little detail (absence of elements form and texture).

Ensure that the following points are noted in the discussion:

Step 4.

Provide time for students to complete the following questions (available on the Student Worksheet):

What did you notice about the use of shape?
What did you notice about the use of pattern?
What did you notice about the use of colour and the tones of those colours?
The paintings shown did not show much use of texture. What was the impact of this?
Any other thoughts and observations.

Part B: Creating Mirrors

Step 1.

Explain that in this part of the lesson, the class will explore Mexican folk art even further by creating Mexican folk art mirrors.

Show the example of a finished mirror for the class from the Folk Art Mirror Step-by-Step Instructions.

Emphasise the fact that in the example you can see the same pattern repeating around the mirror, stating that it has rotational (radial) symmetry.

Explain rotational (radial) symmetry to the class, stating that it occurs when a shape or object can be rotated around its centre (at angles less than 360 degrees) and still look the same.

Step 2.

Show the following clip to reinforce the concept:

Basic Rotational Symmetry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcxSvrbapEs)

Once the clip is complete, respond to any questions students may have to support them to understand this concept.

Step 3.

Explain that now the class will focus on creating the Mexican folk art-inspired mirror shown earlier, using the Folk Art Mirror Step-by-Step Instructions.

Step 4.

Provide students with decorative foil squares (silver sheets) or aluminium foil, small kinder circles, coloured pencils and sticky tape. Allow time for students to create their mirror.

Reflection

Step 1.

Invite students to find a partner and discuss the following points:

What types of colours have you used in your design?
What shapes have been included?
What techniques from the original Mexican paintings have you applied?
What order of rotation is your design?

Step 2.

Provide time for students to complete the artist’s statement on the Student Worksheet. This may be placed into student portfolios alongside their work, or displayed with artwork.

Differentiated Learning

Extension: Extend students by asking them to create a different number of sections and having them work out how many degrees each angle will need to be in order to do so.

Provisions for Learning Support: Students who have difficulty measuring angles can create a design based on quarters, folding the circle in half and then half again to create the four sections.

Teacher Reflection

Take this opportunity to reflect on your own teaching:

What did you learn about your teaching today?
What worked well?
What didn't work so well?
What would you share?
Where to next?
How are you going to get there?

STEAM - Folk Art Mirrors

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Summary

Learning intentions:

Students will...

Success criteria:

Students can...

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