Lesson # 12 - Paper Weaving

Objective

The student will discuss weaving and woven objects in their environment. TSW cut a paper loom and create a woven surface with strips of paper.

Focus Elements - line, shape, and color

Focus Principles - repetition, rhythm, and symmetry

Standards

(AP) Artistic Perception - Identify the elements of visual art. (1.1, 1.3)

(CE) Creative Expression - Create original works of art. (2.1, 2.5)

HCC). Historical and Cultural Context - Understand the place of art in history and Multicultural studies. (3.1, 3.2, 3.3)

(AV) Aesthetic Valuing - Analyze one's own and others' artwork. (44.3, 4.4)

(CRA) Connections, Relations, Applications - Make connections among the art forms. Integrate art into other curriculum areas. (5.1, 5.4)

Open Court Themes

Sharing Stories Fossils

Kindness Courage

Look Again Our Country and Its People

Concept

Artists from around the world use weaving to make art.

Resources:

ADVENTURES IN ART: pp. 90&91

ART CONNECTIONS: pp. 94&95

ART EXPRESS: pp. 118&119

PORTFOLIOS: pp. 104&105, 114-115

Art example:

Navajo Blanket Eye Dazzler

Vocabulary

weavingpattern

warploom

weft

Materials

  • colored paper, 12 x 18", 1 per child
  • strips of colored paper, about 1" wide and the same length as the narrow
  • edge of the paper, about 10 strips per child
  • (optional) small squares of burlap, 2” x 2", magnifying glasses
  • glue
  • scissors
  • rulers

Second Grade, lesson #12

DIRECTED LESSON

Get Set

Introduce background information about the Navajo. They are Native Americans who live in the Southwest United States. They still make blankets the way they did 150 years ago. They use the wool from their own sheep. Explain to students that the blankets are woven, and that we will weave paper to experience the process.

Focus

Show example of Navajo chief blanket. The design uses rhythm and symmetry. Explain the concept of rhythm by clapping a rhythm and have children clap it. Define rhythm as a repeated pattern. Explain the concept of symmetry by referring to the human body. If a line were drawn down the middle, a human body is the same on both sides.

Develop

  1. Distribute materials.
  2. Guide children to:
  3. Place paper on the desk the tall way and fold it in half.
  4. Place the edge of the ruler parallel to the unfolded edges and draw a guideline the width of the ruler.
  5. Make parallel cuts from the folded edge of the paper up to the guideline, but not across it (use the width of two fingers as a guide for cutting).
  6. Distribute strips for weaving and glue. Have children unfold their paper looms. Demonstrate how to weave two weft strips. Check to be sure that they understand that the second strip is woven exactly opposite from the first.
  7. Repeat in an alternating manner with each strip. Encourage creative variations in colors of strips.
  8. OPTIONAL: The warps on the paper looms can be cut in curves and the loom itself could be cut in a variety of shapes besides a rectangle.

Evaluation

Discuss weavings that have a definite pattern. Call on children to identify the weft, warp, and loom in their own weaving.

Summary

Many kinds of cloth are made on a loom. The process of making cloth on a loom is called weaving.

Journal writing prompt

Do you think Navajo blankets would be as beautiful if they didn't have symmetry and rhythm? Why?

Extensions

  • HIST/SOC SCI - Research Navajo history, life, and customs.
  • READING - Read Annie And The Old One.
  • VA - Make a class chart, or write in art journal, about things that are symmetrical, such as butterflies, squares and rectangles, cars, etc. Make a list of things that are not symmetrical.
  • WRITING - Introduce the concept of meter in poetry with a simple poem. Clap the rhythm.

Assessment

(AP) I can identify pattern and symmetry in artwork.

(CE) I can create a woven pattern.

(HCC) I know that the Navajo are Native Americans who are famous for their weaving.

(CRA) I know that over/under are opposites that describe the structure of weaving.