Printmaking

I. Lesson: Pen Pal Prints - 7th or 8th

II. Focus - To interact with another group of individuals from an area school or a school from another state via a pen pal program. They are to create the stationary representing their personalities/interests; they will use this to send their letters on. In their letters they need to discuss what is happening in their daily life at school and normal social interactions. - Human Commonality: “All of us develop some forms of social bonding”

III. Objectives - To learn about the history of printmaking. - To understand the printmaking process and how it is related to common day via letters/cards. - To gain a better understanding of what represents their current personalities and interests via specific shapes and patterns, landscapes, animals, cars, flowers, etc. - To view how other’s interests affect their work. - To explore the aesthetics of cards and stationary. - To use a system of communication that is slowly becoming less utilized but develops empathy and appreciation to receiving mail hand written instead of an instant internet message. - To learn how to interact with others who are from a different social background, to see what differences and similarities they may have, to gain perspective with their age group.

IV. Standards and Benchmarks - ART.II.VA.M. II, III, IV - ART.III.VA.M. II, III, IV, V - ART.IV. VA.M. I, II - ART.V.VA.M. II

V. Resources : Video, Images of card styles and block print, and Clips

VI. Time Required - One class period to view videos (approx. 10 minutes), discuss the project, to demonstrate the method to be used, to show block printing images, and to brainstorm ideas for the block carving and to create project proposal sketches. - 2 Class periods to carve the blocks and to create proofs to make sure the print is how each student wants theirs to look - One class to print the actual prints - Half of class to write first letter to their pen pal.

VII. Materials and Preparation - Speedball ink - Rollers - Linoleum or Rubber for stamp - Speedball Carving Tools - Plexi Glass/ Plastic to use for rolling ink on - Printing paper cut to stationary size - Scissors - Pens - Envelopes for the cards to be sent - Another class willing to participate in this program. - Address for the school - Examples of Greeting Cards used with block prints - Slideshow with images of block prints. - News Paper to use as a table protector and to place on back of paper to rub on.

VIII. Motivation I will be using the videos from United Streaming to motivate the students to get their minds thinking in the direction of communicating via print and using a block print.

IX. Instruction

X. Vocabulary Ink: A pigmented liquid or paste used especially for writing or printing. Printing Press: a machine, as a cylinder press or rotary press, for printing on paper or the like from type, plates, etc. Prints: 1. to produce (a text, picture, etc.) by applying inked types, plates, blocks, or the like, to paper or other material either by direct pressure or indirectly by offsetting an image onto an intermediate roller. 2. to reproduce (a design or pattern) by engraving on a plate or block. 3. to form a design or pattern upon, as by stamping with an engraved plate or block: to print calico.

XI. Assessment and Evaluation Students should be able to demonstrate: - the ability to express positive and negative space effectively within their block prints. - effective ways to represent themselves in a two dimensional and symbolic manor. - The students should also be able to find the required information from their pen pal. - The students should also be able to write about the different or similar personality/interests expressed in each of their stationary prints.

XII. Background

XIII. Extensions or Adaptations for Student with Disabilities - In addition to the printing you could teach how to write in the calligraphy form. The students could be required to write at least one of their letters using calligraphy that they have learned. - You can also print onto fabric and possibly create pillows, clothing for a doll, etc. all while discussing different cultures and symbols