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RADIAL LETTER DESIGNS

Subject: Drawing, Design
Grade: 4-6
Age: 8-12

Submitted by: Amy Woods a teacher at Prescott Central Middle School in Cookeville, TN USA

Author's Website: Click Here

Objectives:

To introduce radial balance.

Vocabulary:

Radial: Developing symmetrically about a central point; A radial part, such as a ray, spoke, or radius.
- The American Heritage Dictionary

What You Need:

9" x 9" black (or preferred color) construction paper
stick-on letters
scissors
pictures or samples of radial designs

Visit the KinderArt Store for Art Supplies

What You Do:

Discuss the meaning of "radius" with the students. Explain that a radial design is one that is on the radius of a circle and that radial symmetry means that the design is symmetrical no matter which way you turn it.

Show examples of radial designs in art and in their environment.

Project Directions:

Fold the paper in half diagonally two times, then again in half up and down--a total of 4 folds.
Open it up. The fold lines will serve as guidelines for creating your design.
Make a design using the letter stickers. You can use the letters as they are or you can cut them into other shapes. Whatever you do to one section of your design, you need to do to the other 4 sections, so that your design will look the same no matter which direction you turn it---make sure you have enough stickers before you start applying them. Continue adding stickers until you have filled in a circular area with design. Make the circle as large as you can on the paper.

More Information:

Hex Signs - A nice example of radial designs
http://www.kinderart.com/folkart/hex.shtml

Radial Design in Crayon & Marker
http://www.childs.mccsc.edu/art2004/art2b.htm

Radial Design Mandala - Another Lesson Plan
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Larry-radial.htm

Radial Name Design
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/Patti-name.htm

Radial Design
http://www.myschoolonline.com/page/0,1871,6775-205612-4-76239,00.html

Recommended Books/Videos:

Kids Art Works!: Creating With Color, Design, Texture & More
The projects are divided into four major categories: "Playing with Patterns," "Prints Charming," "The Sculpture Gallery," and "A Touch of Texture." The directions are clear, precise, and illustrated with black-and-white diagrams and cartoons.

Recommended Products:

Letteriffic - Assorted Letter Stickers (pk/300)

Biography:

Amy Woods is a teacher at Prescott Central Middle School in Cookeville, TN USA. Visit her website here: http://teacherweb.com/TN/PrescottCentralMiddleSchool/VisualArt/