Skills and Focus: Studio, Art Appreciation

Subject Area: Fine Arts

Thematic Connection: Identifying Patterns

Grade Level: Elementary School

Time Needed: 60 minutes

Objectives

• Define the term tesserae and explain how they are used in the mosaic.

• Explore the elements of shape, texture, color, and pattern by identifying how the artist manipulated tesserae to create the mosaic.

• Explain how the use of tesserae creates specific effects, such as a sense of volume or shadowing.

• Create a copy of this mosaic by manipulating torn paper to depict different textures and details.

Instructional Materials Needed

Stories: What Animal Is This? and How Were Mosaics Made?

Mosaic

Construction paper in a variety of colors, torn into small pieces of uniform size (approximately 1/2" square)

Glue sticks

Foil, ribbon, fabric remnants, or other materials as desired

Activity

Step 1: Explain to students that mosaics like this one were used to decorate private homes in ancient Rome. Discuss how mosaic artists created decorative patterns by making different shapes or lines with tesserae. Have students experiment with patterns by placing paper tesserae on the mosaic template to create textures and details on the animal and figure.

Step 2: Students may glue tesserae to the template when they are satisfied with the patterns they have created. Foil, ribbon, or fabric remnants can be added to enhance different textures.

Goals

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 25: Know the language of the arts.

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 26: Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced.

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