Islamic Art/Eraser Prints
Submitted by Lori Eckard, of the C. H. Tuttle Middle School
in Maiden, NC

Materials:

Art Gum Erasers, X-acto knives, pencils, rulers, 10"x10" white drawing paper, watercolor markers, and Band-aids!!! Grade Level: 6th - 8th grade

Concepts:

Repetition, pattern, radial balance, radial symmetry, rotation

Discussion:

Students are shown examples of mosaics found on mosques. We discuss background information on Islam and relate it to social studies units. This is also a great unit to integrate math skills.

Procedure:

Students are given the opportunity to sketch a design. They must measure the cubed gum eraser and lightly grid their drawing paper. The geometric design is then drawn on the eraser with a ball point pen. Students must carefully carve the negative spaces away from the design. They may then color the design with marker and print into the top left block of the grid. Now the fun begins! Have students work with a group of 4 blocks rotating the eraser print 1/4 turn each time they print. These look great and the students will be surprised at their results.

Alternate Lesson:

Islamic Tile Design Soft-Kut 3" printing plates by Bunki Kramer, Los Cerros Middle School