Overview:  Students will create a close-packed arrangement through use of stenciling.

Keywords:       Pattern
                           Colors (i.e. red, blue, yellow, green…)
                           Shapes (i.e. triangle, square, circle…)
                           Vegetables and Fruit (i.e. potatoes, apples, carrots…)
                           Closed-packed Arrangement
                           Symmetry
                           Stenciling

Learning Objectives:  By completion of this unit on Stenciling, students will be   able to:
1. Identify the patterns.
2. Create a simple pattern.
3. Recognize patterns in the world around them.
4. Problem solve in other areas of school.  (i.e. math, poetry, art, music.)
5. Create a complex pattern with symmetry.

Assessment Tool and Scoring Criteria
1. Have the students attempt to create simple patterns.
2. Have students identify patterns in each other’s art. .
3. Students will demonstrate patterns by the use of shapes and items in the room.
4. Students will begin to identify and create complex patterns.
5. Identify the close-packed arrangements in stenciling.

Materials:
1. Vegetables and/or Fruit (i.e. potatoes, apples, carrots…)
2. Paint
It is best to use a variety of colors.  For smaller children, washable      paint is recommended.
3. Colored construction paper (12x18)
4. Knife
The smaller children will need the vegetables and fruit cut for them.
5. Paper plates
6. Paper towels
7. Crayons

Procedure:
Steps 1-11 are for grades K-1.
Steps 1-13 are for grades 2-3.
Steps 1-16 are for grades 4-5.

1.  Cut the vegetables and fruit in different shapes. (i.e. squares, circles, stares…)
2.  Pass the paper and a crayon to each of the students.
3.  Break the students into groups of 3-4.
4.  Pour the paint onto the paper plates and pass out 5-6 colors to each group.
5.  Pass paper towels out to each group in case of a spill.
6.  Demonstrate the examples of patterns on the board.
7.  Demonstrate patterns within a shape on the board.
8.  Students are to draw a large shape on their paper with their crayon.
9.  Demonstrate how to use the vegetables and fruit to create stenciling.
10.Students are to create simple patterns from the vegetables, fruit and paint within
     the large shape on the paper.
11.Discuss the patterns and shapes the next day.
12.After discussing the simple patterns, the students will create complex patterns.
13.Discuss the complex patterns and shapes the next day.
14.Demonstrate how to create Closed-packed Arrangements and symmetry.
15.Students are to use the crayons and create Closed-packed Arrangements on the
     stenciled papers.
16.Discuss the Closed-packed Arrangements and symmetry.

Correctives:
1. Teacher further demonstrates the pattern by repeating the past patterns.
2. Review simple patterns on the board and on the students’ artwork.
3. Send students into groups of 2-3 to further work on patterns.

Extensions:
1. Students will create their own patterns by drawing pictures with crayons.
2. Look at wallpaper and discuss the pattern.  Break it down more and look for Closed-packed Arrangements.
3. Identify things in nature that has Closed-packed Arrangements and symmetry.  (i.e. butterflies, animals…)
4. Identify patterns and symmetry in math, poetry, science, and art lessons.