Arcadia University Lesson Plan

Topic: Art and Language Arts Combined Lesson

Target Group: First grade (25 students)
1. Observable and measurable objective:
Students will create a multicultural art project with an African theme connected to
the Kente Cloth.
Students will read poetry in order to explore African American Culture

2. Standards
9.1.12.B:
Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and
revise original works in the arts.
1.6.1.A: Listen actively and respond to others in small and large group situations with appropriate questions and ideas

3. Introduction Review:
1. Discussion what is poetry? (writings that include descriptive words or rhythm
and rhymes to express feelings and or ideas)
Read the poem My People and Afro-American Fragment both by African
American Poet Langston Hughes
The teacher will ask students to share what they think or feel after hearing the
poem. The teacher will emphasize that the poems speak proudly of African
American People. We can look at the culture of African American People and
learn about their routines and customs. One custom is to make special clothes
and garments to be worn on very special occasions. Many countries in Africa
have a special cloth that is worn on special occasions to show pride in African
culture. Each country has its own colors and patterns to create beautiful prints
that men women and children wear in honor of their country and tribe.
2. Show the students examples of African printed quilts, cloths and Kente Cloths.
http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/kente/when.htm
Discuss the different shapes that are used in each, and the different shapes and
patterns that are created within the larger design. How do the shapes fit
together? How do you think the quilt makers put these quilts together?

3. Explain to students that today they will explore what kinds of designs can be
made with triangles and squares. In pairs, students will select two different
pieces of colored construction paper, which they will cut into squares. Following
this, students will cut a few of these squares diagonally to form triangles.
Students will create a design with the squares and triangles and glue it on paper.
4. Kente-Is a brightly colored woven material that originated from Ghana
Kente Cloth is worn by the people of Ghana and it is made of a mix of colors; each
color has a very special meaning.

blackstrong

bluelove, peace

greenplants, growth, good health

goldroyalty, rich

greyhealing

maroon/purple earth

pinkmild, gentle,

reddeath; ancestors

silverjoy

whitehealing, celebrations

yellowbeauty, peace
1. Students will paint their own Kente inspired print on white paper.
a. Students will paint with multiple colors using shapes to create designs and
patterns on to the paper.
b. Once the paintings dry students will paint black straight lines over the painted
colored sheets.
c. The teacher will cut strips of the painted sheets.
d. Students will weave the cut strips onto the base paper to create a woven
image.
e. The artwork will be saved and used again once students create poetry to
complement the visual art they created.
4. Accommodations for diverse Learners: Sitting in front of the class, oneto-one assistance
5. Closure: Revisit the Poem My People. The teacher will emphasize
that Africa has many customs that we can learn about to help us

understand the past. We created a Kente inspired woven cloth to help

us learn about the influence of the customs in Africa.

6. Assessment: Rubric for the art piece (attached)

Student did not attempt to create a
0
pattern design
Student attempted but did not
1
completely create a pattern design
Student created a pattern design with 2
one-to-one assistance
Student created a complete
3
pattern design
Student created a paper weaving
4
Resources: Kente Lesson Plan: http://kidworldcitizen.org/2014/06/24/ghaniankente-cloth-kids-art-project/