Parent Newsletter—Send home a month or two before beginning the unit to solicit help
Language Arts Materials
• Overview, Sample Lesson Plan, and Common Core State Standards covered in the materials
• Student Reader on Pennsylvania Dutch Art
• Comprehension Worksheets (with answers) in a standardized test format
• Vocabulary Bookmarks
• Writing a Blessing worksheet and posters
Art Materials
• Overview, Sample Lesson Plan, and Common Core State Standards covered in the materials
• Student Reader—The Art of Stenciling (Print version and Power Point version)
• Stencils in Pennsylvania Dutch Designs—parents cut 6 stencils for student use in classroom center
• Making a Stencil—Read and Follow Directions center activity
• Stenciling with Paint—Read and Follow Directions center activity
• Pennsylvania Dutch Art Motif Posters—explain the meaning behind the symbols and colors used
• Pennsylvania Dutch Art Prints—11 art prints display designs on household items
• Tracers in Pennsylvania Dutch design—students use multi-colored tracers to create a genre-appropriate design and then complete an art project (same tracers as in Math Materials)
• Art Project—Read and Follow Directions to complete a Pennsylvania Dutch design on fabric or paper
Math Materials--Symmetry
• Overview, Sample Lesson Plan, and Common Core State Standards covered in the materials
• Mystery Property Game—students discover some properties of symmetry through guess and check method using pattern blocks
• Symmetry Student Reader—2 versions (Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6)—Students actively explore bilateral, rotation, and point symmetry
• Symmetry Worksheets—materials to complete Symmetry Student Reader activities (optional)
• Symmetry Interactive Notebook—stand-alone product. Use instead of Symmetry Reader and worksheets
• Symmetry Vocabulary Matching Puzzles—students match images, vocabulary, and definitions in puzzle format
• Symmetry in Design Posters—images of man-made creations which reflect symmetrical design
• Symmetry in Nature Cards—images and explanations of natural items containing some properties of symmetry
• Symmetry in Nature Template—students may add their own photographs and explanations to contribute to the Symmetry in Nature Cards
• Symmetry Scavenger Hunt
• Tracers in Pennsylvania Dutch design—students use multi-colored tracers to create a genre-appropriate design and then complete an art project (same tracers as in Art Materials)
Art of the Pennsylvania Dutch
Symmetry in Nature Study Cards
Twenty-four study cards demonstrate nature’s use of symmetry. The front of each card shows the natural item, and the back explains the symmetrical properties displayed. Run off on quality paper once, and laminate, for a lifetime of use. Appropriate for grades 3-5. A “WORD” template is also included so that students can add their own photographs and make additional cards.
Symmetry in Design Posters
Eleven posters (8.5X11) demonstrate use of symmetry in design. Images include buildings, bridges, roads, and cars. Run off one time on quality paper and laminate for a lifetime of use.
ELA/MATH/ART THEMATIC UNIT
Students explore the genre of Pennsylvania Dutch folk artists through language arts, math, and art studies.
Symmetry Interactive Notebook
Students read and follow directions to complete an interactive notebook that explores bilateral, rotation, and point symmetry. It will take 10-12 days to complete the notebook. There are 18 pages that must be run off for each student. This item may be used with the whole class, in small groups, placed at a center, given to students who will miss school during instruction, or who need additional work in this area. A completed sample notebook is included.
Symmetry Vocabulary Matching Puzzles
This is the art component of the thematic unit. It contains the art prints, classification game, timeline, and art project directions. Students will examine the art prints, classify 31 rock art images, and carve their own petroglyph on a plaster rock they make. This component works particularly well with studies of native people.
Thematic Teacher
Educational Materials for Literacy Through Art, Science, and Social Studies.
Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Stockings
The colorful, beautiful, and symbolic motifs used in the artwork of the Pennsylvania Dutch make lovely cards and Christmas stockings. Two sets of materials include "Read and Follow Directions" worksheets that walk students through making a cut-and-paste Christmas stocking in the Pennsylvania Dutch genre.