Art and Culture Center of Hollywood Distance Learning Integrated Art Lesson Title: Circumvoluted Imagery: Creating a Wind Whirler Description and Overall Focus: The purpose of this lesson is to teach students how 2-D circular repetition or patterning can become a 3-D volume. They will create a colorful volumetric and kinetic decorative object. Students will also learn about the meaning of the spring equinox and why the seasons change. Length of Lesson 45 minutes 1 hour Grade Range Middle School & High School Next Generation Sunshine State Standards VA.68.S.2.1 VA.68.S.2.2 VA.68.S.3.5 VA.912.C.1.7 VA.912.O.3.2 VA.912.S.3.1 Objective(s) This lesson will teach students how to create a colorful concentric pattern. Students will transform their patterns into volumetric kinetic forms while learning about the annual astronomical event of the first day of spring. Materials: PLEASE NOTE: Some materials must be acquired prior to this lesson Teacher Supplies: Sun Face template and page division template Student Supplies: 8 ½ x 11 thick, white card stock Xacto knives and Scissors Colored pencils in several colors Introductory activity Students will begin by learning a brief explanation of the equinox and its significance on Earth s seasonal changes. Students will begin tracing their images onto card stock. Core activity Students will begin by choosing their colors. They will continue by creating then carefully cutting the patterns. The wind whirler will be formed when all parts of the pattern are cut and folded to create volume. Closure activity Students will complete their creations making sure that the components are formed and folded properly. Several students will share their work.
Assessment Teacher follow-up idea Students will have learned that a flat image, when circumvoulted, can become a volume. They will also have learned the meaning of the Equinox and why the seasons change. The Students will also have learned the basics of weaving as a craft. Finally, the students will have completed a colorful volumetric and kinetic sculpture. The classroom teacher can use the websites below to present more of the information surrounding the equinox, and the astronomy. Student follow-up idea Students can continue to create progressively more wind whirlers by changing images, increasing the size and using different media (metal, plastic). They may also create a wind whirler during the fall equinox. Cooking Lesson Spiral Snacks (Turkey & Cheese or Ham & Cheese) Book/Web references www.factmonster.com www.kidsastronomy.com www.weavingtoday.com www.makingfriends.com Music: Corinne Bailey Ray Art and Culture Center of Hollywood www.artandculturecenter.org Lesson plan prepared by Traci Petersen, MFA
The Spring Equinox An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length. An equinox happens each year at two specific moments in time (rather than two whole days), when there is a location (the sub-solar point) on the Earth's equator, where the center of the Sun can be observed to be vertically overhead, occurring around March 20/21 and September 22/23 each year. The Spring Equinox is also known as the Vernal Equinox, whereas the Autumn Equinox is known as Autumnal. In nature, and astronomically, we see cycles. These are also considered to be natural patterns: things that repeat. In Mathematics, you have learned that a pattern is something that must occur three or more times. The equinoxes and season changes are definitely patterns, as they have been, and will continue to occur infinitely (forever!). They are a series of events according to a repetition of occurrences. So, as we see, the Vernal Equinox announces the astronomical arrival of the spring season. As Earth revolves (spins), or circumvolutes, it also circumnavigates, (orbits) the sun. Mathematically Earth is a sphere, which is just s series of circles that twist in space! Artistically we can in a simple way do the same when creating a wind whirler. Instead of beginning with a circle we begin with a picture and by repeatedly outlining it, cutting and folding, we will create volume.
Template for the Sun Face: You will want to enlarge or reduce on the copier so that the face is about 3 ½ in diameter.
Spiral Snacks Preparation Active Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Recipe Ingredients 16 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 large red bell pepper, minced 2 large flour tortillas 8-10 slices Colby cheese ½ pound sliced turkey (or ham) Recipe Instructions 1. Add cream cheese and minced peppers into the mixer on low until both are incorporated. 2. Spread cream cheese mixture onto the tortillas evenly. 3. Layer turkey (or ham) evenly over the entire surface. Repeat with the Colby cheese. 4. Roll the tortillas tightly. With a serrated knife, cut slices off the roll, about 1 thick. Arrange on the plate and eat. (You may use any type of pepper you like in place of red, any cheese.) ENJOY!