AUTHOR: Emily Valenza
LESSON TITLE: Animal Motif Paper Batik
GRADE LEVEL: 1 NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 15
In this lesson, students will explore the batik traditions of Java, Indonesia.
Goals and Standards:
Grade K-4 Visual Arts Standard 1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes.
Grade K-4 Visual Arts Standard 4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.
GOALS & LEARNER OUTCOMES
What will students learn through this lesson? What specific knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes should students gain or develop through this lesson?
The students will view batik fabric art of the Javanese people from Indonesia. They will learn the traditional process and connect this process to the design of fabrics we use every day. Students will learn about the unique culture of Java, including their history, dress, food, music, social structure and government.
The students will create a pattern inspired by the Javanese batik arts to surround a central image of a chosen animal.
The students will practice creating patterns with repeating shapes and lines, as well as creating complex animal forms using familiar geometric shapes.
MATERIALS NEEDED FOR LESSON
Reproductions or examples of Javanese batik, and batik from other cultures for comparison
Video of the batik process
Sample project completed in stages for demonstration
Reference materials for Javanese culture
White Dimensional Paint (like Tulip Slick)
India ink or Black Watercolor
Paper towels for blotting ink
MATERIALS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
Gloves for tactile defensive students
Thicker oil pastels for students with grip difficulties
STARTING THE LESSON
Students will view a presentation on the culture of the Javanese people, watch a short video on the batik process, and then break the process down step-by-step as a group.
Students will observe the batik work of the Javanese people and consider how they might translate that aesthetic into a drawing with a central animal motif. Students will give informal peer critique as they begin their planning sketches.
Students will use steps written on the board and example images to guide their process.
- Students sketch an animal (or any motif) to fill their page
- Trace over pencil lines with white dimensional paint
- Wait for paint to dry overnight
- Students will color between white paint lines with oil pastel, focusing on contrast between the central image and the background. we discussed warm and cool colors as a possible solution to create contrast.
- Students will put on smocks and paint india ink over their finished oil pastel designs, blotting extra ink away with a paper towel.
- Let work completely dry and display!
CLOSURE OF THE LESSON
Students will view the finished work created by their class, then compare and contrast what they see with the traditional batik presented at the beginning of the lesson.
TRANSITION TO NEXT LESSON
Students will consider how batik motif might be used in other areas of art, texture in sculpture, painting brushstrokes, etc.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING
The students will plan their designs with light sketching lines and the use of geometric shapes to simplify complex forms.
The students will be able to speak at length about Javanese culture and the batik process.
The students will demonstrate comfort with creating new patterns using repeating shapes and lines.