The Geometry of Indigenous Art

Laguna Polychrome Variant Jar - Circa 1900. Geometric shapes can be readily found in this as well as other pottery designs.

Grade Level:

Subject Areas:

• Mathematics
• Art/Art History
• Social Studies/History
• Language Arts/Reading

Objectives

• Comprehension: Learners will comprehend mathematical concepts involved such as: symmetry, rotations, reflections, translation, dialations, and tessellations.
• Application: Learners will apply mathematical figures and mathematical language to indigenous art.
• Technology: Learners will develop Internet research skills while gathering information on art history and geometrical patterns.
• Compare and Contrast: After learners have collected patterns, pictures, and actual authentic pieces (from other cultures as well as their own), they will compare and contrast it to Pueblo Patterns. They will make their comparisons in a written and illustrated essay.
• Synthesis: Learners will be able to create artwork (painting, pottery, computer graphic design) incorporating learned mathematical concepts.

Technology Equipment and Skills Needed:

• Computers with Internet access.
• CD-Rom Encarta Encyclopedia
• Photoshop or other available graphics program.

Lesson Overview:

The lessons will begin from the mathematical perspective. An introduction to geometry (shapes, symmetry, rotations, reflections, and tessellations) will be our main focus. After learners have a firm grasp of the concepts and terminology, we will advance to the research aspect of the lesson. After they finish gathering designs and data, they will be asked to compare and contrast the geometric images and explain them in a expository essay. Finally, the learners will be asked to create a self-selected symmetrical design on a piece of artwork or computer graphic. They will be asked to explain, in a class presentation, how their artwork exemplifies their newly learned mathematical concepts.

Cultural Content:

Indigenous art from past to present will be employed throughout the lessons.

Assessment:

Since these lessons will be covered over a period of time, the assessments will be ongoing. First, there will be an oral and written understanding of the geometrical concepts (tests). Then, they will be judged on their research skills (Internet, books, artifacts). After research is completed, they will be evaluated on their ability to see the differences and similarites in the various indigenous designs (expository essay). Finally, the learners' artwork will be examined after their class presentations.