Shelby Hippe

Project Plan: Diversity Mosaic

Grade Level: Grade 9

Curriculum Outcomes:

Students will…

I. C. identify and change their point of view in order to improve their artwork.

R2. B. understand and be able to use art and design terms to describe their artwork, and the
artwork of other artists.

A&E. B. understand and be able to share how they have used design, media, and techniques in
their art.

O. B. understand that the same objects in an artwork put into different positions will make an
artwork that looks different than the original.

S. B. understand that images of nature change, depending on when they are done, and what
culture has made them.

I.I. B. understand that society has various ways of preserving and displaying public and private
artworks.

Project Description:

What I imagine this a mosaic created by all art students. With broken ceramic tiles, students
will design, and paint/draw a representation of who they are and what makes them unique
(this may include their heritage, culture, interests, etc.). Depending on the size of the tile
pieces, students may be given multiple pieces to design. With the finished individual pieces
created by the students, as a class they will work together to compose, and build one large final
mosaic. This finished mosaic and the process the students go through to create it will
represent the diversity within our society and the ability for all of these differences to come
together and be one. This project is one that (with permission) would be incorporated into a
school setting as a permanent installment. Depending on the layout and available space this
mosaic may be built onto a wall, in a sidewalk or another structure which would support the
tiles. Another option may be creating a mosaic bench if application onto a permanent structure
is not an option. This is something that should be decided as a class, giving the students
ownership and choice in this project.
 Diversity
Mosaic

Mosaic Unique Tiles

(broken Pieces)
Materials:

- Gloss Ceramic tiles (broken tiles can often be gotten for free at tile shops)
- Hammer
- Towel
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Acrylic Enamel Paint (Alternative: Sharpie Permanent Markers and spray gloss varnish)
- Paint Brushes (soft bristles)
- Water
- Paper Towel
- Paint Pallets (plates, plastic lids, or other zero budget alternatives)
- Sand Paper
 - Cookie Trays
- Oven
- Optional: various broken ceramic plates, ceramic teacups, glass etc. Can be found at
second hand stores (add to mosaic for extra variation).
- Tile adhesive/cement (depending on how you wish to mount the mosaic)
- Construction Paper
- Glue stick
- Scissors

Student’s Background Knowledge:

Students will have already had the opportunity to build their skills in drawing and painting. They
will also already have an understanding of the elements and principles of art and design.
 LESSON 1: What Makes You Unique?

This lesson will prepare students for creating their tiles by exploring their heritage and all
aspects that make them a unique individual.

Materials:

Students will only need a form of notepad to write down their research. If necessary, they may
need internet to gain further information.

Lesson Format:

Description Considerations
Hook: What Makes You Unique? - Buzz question
will start
- Have written on the board “What Makes You Unique?” students
before students enter the classroom. thought
- At the start of class introduce this to students. process.
- Have them discuss in small groups. - For full class
- Come together as a class. Ask for student’s answers. Write discussion, you
on the board. can use the
- Point out the large variety of things that have been teaching
mentioned. strategy
- All of these factors that make each student unique is what “popcorn” to
builds a diverse classroom. capture many
- This is mirrored in society. answers
quickly.
Activity: Research What Makes You Unique - Students may
find
- Explain to students that they will be exploring what makes information
them unique. they may not
- Supply class with guiding questions to help direct their know through
research: What is your family heritage, history? What do the internet
you like, dislike? What are some of your interests, hobbies? and their
What is important to you? Etc. family.
- Give students time to complete the activity. They may need - Remind
to take this home to talk to their relatives about their family students to
background. keep their
notes for
future use.

Lesson Reflection:
 LESSON 2: Paper Mosaic

This lesson will allow students to practice how to create mosaics. It will allow them to see how
manipulating shapes and positioning can change the composition.

Materials:
- Construction Paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick

Set Up Considerations
- Make sure all students can see the demonstration.
- Ensure multiple recycling are available for unused paper cut offs.
o You may choose to tape garbage bags to the side of desks for easy disposal.

Lesson Format:

Description Considerations
Hook: Introduce Students to Mosaics - Showing classical
mosaics on a
- Ask students if they know what a mosaic is. projector while
- Class discussion. speaking about
- Talk about the history of mosaics: the history will
help students
A mosaic is a piece of art or image made from the assembling of
connect what
small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It is often
you are saying
used in decorative art or as interior decoration. Most mosaics are
verbally to a
made of small, flat, roughly square, pieces of stone or glass of
visual.
different colors, known as tesserae. Some, especially floor
mosaics, are made of small rounded pieces of stone, and called
"pebble mosaics".
Mosaics have a long history, starting in Mesopotamia in the 3rd
millennium BC. Pebble mosaics were made
in Tiryns in Mycenaean Greece; mosaics with patterns and
pictures became widespread in classical times, both in Ancient
Greece and Ancient Rome. Early Christian basilicas from the 4th
century onwards were decorated with wall and ceiling mosaics.
Mosaic art flourished in the Byzantine Empire from the 6th to the
15th centuries; that tradition was adopted by
the Norman Kingdom of Sicilyin the 12th century, by the eastern-
influenced Republic of Venice, and among the Rus in Ukraine.
Mosaic fell out of fashion in the Renaissance, though artists
like Raphael continued to practice the old technique. Roman and
Byzantine influence led Jewish artists to decorate 5th and 6th
century synagogues in the Middle East with floor mosaics.
Mosaic was widely used on religious buildings and palaces in
early Islamic art, including Islam's first great religious building,
the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and the Umayyad
Mosque in Damascus. Mosaic went out of fashion in the Islamic
world after the 8th century.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosaic)

Activity: Paper Mosaic - This activity may

- Explain that students will be creating their own mosaic out need more than
of construction paper. one class to
- Give students a topic for their Mosaic. Choose a topic that complete
is relevant to the background research they did in lesson
#1 (something they like, a part of their heritage, etc.).
- Go through steps, demonstrating to students each as you
go.
1. Cut paper into small shapes out of multiple colors of paper
(students may choose to use the same shape or use
variation).
2. Start to arrange paper to build an image/create a design.
3. Glue pieces down on background paper (white of black
paper will work best for the background).
- Allow students to complete the activity.

Lesson Reflection:
 LESSON 3: Mosaic Tiles

This lesson will teach students how to prepare, paint/draw on tile. Students will create their
tiles that will be used in the final class diversity mosaic.

Materials:

- Gloss Ceramic tiles

o broken tiles can often be acquired for free at tile shops
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Acrylic Enamel Paint
o ALTERNATIVE: Sharpie Permanent Markers and spray gloss varnish
- Paint Brushes (soft bristles)
o Not needed if using Sharpie
- Paint Pallet
o Not needed if using Sharpie
- Hammer
o If tiles are not broken
- Towel
o If tiles are not broken
- Sand paper
- Oven
o ALTERNATIVE: Air dry (dry times are lengthily for enamel paint, around 21 days.
Check dry time on your paint purchased)
Set Up Considerations:

- For Demo: Set up at a table where all students are able to gather and see the
instruction.
- Students: Make sure students have adequate space at their work stations.
o If painting: students will need water, paint brushes, paper towel, and paint
pallet.
 o If Drawing: students will need various sharpies.
- Rubbing alcohol will need to be available to all students
- For sanding and spray varnish (and in general with the use of paint and sharpie with
fumes): Proper ventilation will be needed to avoid inhalation of harmful materials.

Lesson Format:
Description Considerations
Hook: Introduce students to Diversity Mosaic Project - Show modern
mosaics on
-Student will be creating their own unique tiles representing projector during
themselves. introduction to
- Once completed, student will come together and create one project
large mosaic.
- The process taken to create the mosaic and the mosaic itself will
represent the diversity within a society and its ability to come
together and be one.
Discussion: Where will this mosaic be? - It’s important
for you to
- Explain this project will be a permanent installment, or on an determine
object to be placed in the school. possible
- Present options to students of placement of the mosaic. Discuss locations for
each. mosaic
- Take a class vote on the location. beforehand and
receive approval
from proper
authorities
before
presenting
options to class.
- Leave the choice
to the students
of the location.
It gives them a
sense of
ownership.
Demo: How to prepare and paint/draw on tile - Make sure all
1. If tiles are not broken safely break them. Wrap tile in towel. students are
Gently hit with a hammer until tile breaks. gathered to and
2. Sand edges of tile to remove any sharp edges. Avoid sanding the able to see the
gloss finish. ***Remember proper ventilation*** demo.
3. Clean gloss surface with rubbing alcohol, allow to fully dry. - Speak clearly, at
4. For Painting: dispense paints of pallet (only need a small a good pace.
amount). Use soft bristle paint brushes to create designs. If you - Check for
make a mistake, use paper towel and rubbing alcohol to remove understanding
paint from surface. throughout
For Sharpie: draw directly onto the gloss surface. demo.
5. For finishing the painted tiles, you will either air dry, or bake in
the oven on cookie sheets (30 minutes at 350F or 177C. Turn off
oven. Leave tiles in oven until completely cooled). For Sharpie
tiles finish with a spray gloss varnish ***Remember proper
ventilation***
Activity: Students start their own tiles - This project may
- Remind students that these tiles need to represent them as take multiple
individuals. Remind them to refer to their research from lesson classes to
1. complete.
- Give students multiple pieces of tiles to design - Remember to
- Work time move around
- Give students the option of using paint or sharpie. the classroom,
giving feedback
and helping
where needed.
- Students who
may struggle
might find more
success with
sharpie.

Lesson Reflection:
 LESSON 4: Creating the Final Diversity Mosaic

This final Lesson is more of a group activity as the class applies what they have learned about
mosaics and work together to compose theirs. As the teacher, you will be hands on in this
process, helping guide their process and with the mounting of the tile pieces.

Materials:
- Student designed tiles
- Optional: broken ceramic plates, teacups and broken glass (edges sanded)
- Tile adhesive/cement (depending on location of mosaic)

Lesson Format:

Description Considerations
Hook: Building the Mosaic - Make sure students
- Gather class and explain today will be the day they will are focused.
create the mosaic.
- Go through steps that will take place (Reference below
steps)
Activity: Final steps to mosaic project - As the teacher, you
1. Students will work together to build a plan for the must be the
design of the mosaic. This may be done through class mediator during this
discussion. process, helping
2. Build a reference image/template. guide the class and
3. Prepare surface for mosaic. Various locations will coach them on
require different preparation. Plan accordingly. problem solving.
4. Students will use the reference image/template to - Provide feedback.
begin to lay tiles. Working as a team, they will problem - This will be hands on
solve decide what tiles should go where. for not only the
5. Prepare tile adhesive/cement (follow instructions on class, but the
material). teacher. Get
6. Explain and show students how to properly mount involved!
tiles. This will vary depending on material you are - This will most likely
using. take multiple classes
7. Adhere tiles in their permanent spots. to complete. I
8. Continue until entire mosaic is complete. suggest creating the
9. Allow for proper drying (will vary depending on image template one
adhesive). class, and move into
creating the actual
mosaic the next. The
mosaic itself may
need to be created
in sections if time is
an issue.
- Make sure you have
enough material to
fill mosaic space.
You can use glass,
teacups, and other
ceramic if needed.
- If class is large, you
may need to split
them into smaller
groups to work on
different sections of
the mosaic.

Lesson Reflection:
 Final Assessment

This project will be assessed on multiple levels: individual tiles, participation, and self-reflection.

Individual Tiles:

Things to look at are the quality of the tile work, how well students followed instruction, and
how well they represent them as individuals.

Participation:

As this is a class project, it is important that all students are involved in the process of the final
mosaic.

Self-reflection:

The highest weight I believe should be placed on the self-reflection. Students will reflect on
their work on their tiles, their work on the final mosaic, and on the entire process. Some guiding
questions that you may choose to use:

1. What images did you choose to create on your tiles? Why did you choose them? How do
they represent you as an individual?

2. What was the thought process you went through when creating your tiles? What do you
like about your tiles? What would you change?

3. What was your experience in working as a team in creating the diversity mosaic? Explain
your though process, the struggles and the triumphs.

4. What is your opinion of the final diversity mosaic? The entire process?