Lesson Plan
Greeting Card Geometry
Students will design and create a greeting card by applying geometric concepts, artistic elements, and persuasive writing techniques, fostering interdisciplinary problem-solving and creative expression.
This lesson helps students see how different subjects like art, math, and language arts are used together in real-world projects, enhancing their creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills for future endeavors.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Hands-on group project with integrated art, math, and language arts components.
Materials
Small Group Workstation Supplies (paper, rulers, compasses, protractors, colored pencils/markers, glue, scissors), Greeting Card Geometry Slide Deck, Greeting Card Project Guide, and Greeting Card Rubric
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
20 minutes
- Gather all necessary art supplies: various papers, rulers, compasses, protractors, colored pencils, markers, glue, and scissors.
- Review the Greeting Card Geometry Lesson Plan, Greeting Card Geometry Slide Deck, Greeting Card Project Guide, and Greeting Card Rubric to ensure familiarity with all components.
- Arrange workstations for small groups, ensuring each group has access to the required supplies.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Creative Connections (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick discussion: "What makes a greeting card special?" and "How might math, art, or words play a role in making a great card?"
- Introduce the Greeting Card Geometry Slide Deck with the umbrella question: "How can geometry, art, and language unite to create a message that matters?"
Step 2
Introduction to Project (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present the Greeting Card Geometry Slide Deck slides 1-3, explaining the project's objectives and the integration of art, math, and language arts.
- Distribute the Greeting Card Project Guide and briefly go over each section, emphasizing the geometric requirements, artistic design, and persuasive messaging.
- Highlight the Greeting Card Rubric to clarify grading criteria.
Step 3
Group Brainstorm & Design (20 minutes)
20 minutes
- Students work in small groups to brainstorm ideas for their greeting card's theme and message.
- Guide them to consider how they can incorporate geometric shapes and principles into the card's visual design (e.g., symmetry, angles, tessellations).
- Encourage initial sketches and drafts of their card's layout, focusing on both the mathematical and artistic elements.
Step 4
Crafting the Message (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Shift focus to the language arts component. Groups will draft the internal message of their greeting card.
- Emphasize persuasive or heartfelt writing, considering the recipient and the card's purpose.
- Discuss the use of rhetorical devices, tone, and appropriate vocabulary to make their message impactful.
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Each group shares their initial design concept and drafted message with the class.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on challenges encountered and solutions found during the brainstorming phase.
- Assign completion of the physical card as homework or for a subsequent session, reminding students to refer to the Greeting Card Project Guide and Greeting Card Rubric.
- Use the Cool Down: Design Reflections to assess understanding.
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Slide Deck
How can geometry, art, and language unite to create a message that matters?
Today, we're going to combine Art, Math, and Language Arts to create something truly special: a unique greeting card!
Welcome students and introduce the overarching question to pique their interest. Connect it to something familiar like greeting cards.
Your Mission: A Meaningful Card!
Project Objective:
Design and create a greeting card that combines:
- Art: Visual appeal, creativity, color harmony.
- Math: Geometric shapes, symmetry, patterns, measurements.
- Language Arts: Persuasive or heartfelt writing, clear messaging.
Why it Matters:
This project shows how creativity and critical thinking come together in real-world applications.
Explain the project's goal and emphasize the interdisciplinary nature. Briefly touch upon each subject's role.
The Power of Three
Art: Visual Storytelling
- How will your card look? What colors and textures will you use?
- Think about drawing, painting, or collage.
Math: The Blueprint
- What geometric shapes will you incorporate?
- How will you use symmetry, angles, or tessellations?
- Accuracy in measurements is key!
Language Arts: The Heart of the Message
- What message do you want to convey?
- Who is the card for, and what tone will you use?
- Persuade, congratulate, comfort, or celebrate!
Dive a bit deeper into what each subject will contribute to the project. Give examples for clarity.
Brainstorming Your Design
Group Discussion:
- What's the occasion for your card? (Birthday, thank you, get well, encouragement)
- Who is the recipient?
- What overall feeling do you want your card to evoke?
Sketching Ideas:
- Start drawing out different layouts.
- How can you use shapes like squares, triangles, circles, or hexagons in a creative way?
- Don't forget about symmetry!
Guide students to start brainstorming. Encourage group discussion and initial sketching.
Crafting Your Message
What to Write?
- Think about your audience. What would they appreciate hearing?
- Is your message persuasive, heartfelt, funny, or inspiring?
- Use descriptive language and strong verbs.
Example Prompts:
- Thank You Card: "Your kindness truly made a difference because..."
- Encouragement Card: "Even when things are tough, remember your strength in..."
Focus on the writing aspect. Remind them about audience and purpose.
Putting It All Together
Next Steps:
- Finalize your design and message using the Greeting Card Project Guide.
- Begin creating your physical card!
Assessment:
- Your project will be evaluated using the Greeting Card Rubric.
- Make sure you meet all the requirements for Art, Math, and Language Arts!
Explain the next steps and how they will be assessed. Reinforce the importance of the guide and rubric.
Warm Up
Creative Connections Warm Up
Instructions: Take a moment to think about the greeting cards you've received or given. Discuss with your group:
- What makes a greeting card special? Is it the pictures, the words, or something else?
- How might math, art, or words play a role in making a truly great card?
- Can you think of a time when a card made you feel a certain way? What was it about that card that had an impact?
Project Guide
Greeting Card Project Guide: Geometry, Art, and Language
Project Goal:
Create a unique greeting card that effectively combines geometric principles, artistic design, and persuasive/heartfelt language.
Learning Objectives:
- Apply geometric concepts (e.g., symmetry, angles, specific shapes) in a creative design.
- Demonstrate artistic expression through color, composition, and visual elements.
- Craft a clear, impactful, and audience-appropriate message.
- Collaborate effectively with group members.
Deliverables:
- Greeting Card: A physical greeting card (minimum 5x7 inches when folded) that clearly integrates all three components.
- Design Plan (Group Submission): A brief document outlining your design choices (geometric shapes used, artistic style, message intent).
Requirements:
Art Component:
- Visual Appeal: The card should be visually appealing and thoughtfully designed.
- Color Scheme: Use a consistent and intentional color scheme (e.g., analogous, complementary colors).
- Originality: The design should be original and creative.
- Craftsmanship: The card should be neatly constructed.
Math Component:
- Geometric Shapes: Incorporate at least three different geometric shapes (e.g., squares, circles, triangles, hexagons, parallelograms) into your design.
- Symmetry: Demonstrate at least one type of symmetry (line symmetry or rotational symmetry) in your card's design.
- Measurement: Use a ruler or protractor to ensure precise measurements for your geometric elements.
- Pattern/Tessellation (Optional but encouraged): Consider using a repeating pattern or tessellation.
Language Arts Component:
- Clear Message: Write a clear and concise message inside the card that is appropriate for your chosen occasion and recipient.
- Purpose: The message should have a clear purpose (e.g., to persuade, to celebrate, to comfort, to thank).
- Tone: The tone of the message should be consistent and effective.
- Word Choice: Use strong vocabulary and descriptive language to enhance your message.
- Grammar & Spelling: Ensure your message is free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
Group Collaboration:
- Work together to brainstorm ideas, divide tasks, and provide constructive feedback.
- Ensure everyone contributes equally to the project.
Timeline (60-minute session):
- 5 minutes: Warm-Up & Introduction
- 10 minutes: Project Overview & Q&A
- 20 minutes: Group Brainstorming & Initial Design Sketches (Art & Math Focus)
- 15 minutes: Crafting the Message (Language Arts Focus)
- 10 minutes: Group Share & Next Steps
Submission:
- The completed physical card.
- Your group's design plan.
Refer to the Greeting Card Rubric for detailed grading criteria. Good luck and have fun creating!
Rubric
Greeting Card Rubric
Project: Greeting Card Geometry, Art, and Language
| Criteria | 4 - Exceeds Expectations | 3 - Meets Expectations | 2 - Approaches Expectations | 1 - Needs Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Component | Card is highly original, visually stunning, and demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship. Color scheme is sophisticated and harmonious. | Card is visually appealing and well-crafted. Color scheme is consistent and appropriate. | Card shows some visual appeal and craftsmanship but may have minor inconsistencies. Color scheme is present. | Card lacks visual appeal or craftsmanship. Color scheme is inconsistent or poorly chosen. |
| Math Component | Clearly incorporates 3+ complex geometric shapes with precise measurements and demonstrates multiple types of symmetry or tessellations. | Clearly incorporates at least three different geometric shapes with accurate measurements and demonstrates at least one type of symmetry. | Incorporates 2-3 geometric shapes with some measurement accuracy, but symmetry may be unclear or absent. | Incorporates fewer than two geometric shapes, or measurements are inaccurate, and no symmetry is evident. |
| Language Arts Component | Message is exceptionally clear, highly impactful, perfectly tailored to the audience and purpose, with sophisticated word choice, and no errors. | Message is clear, impactful, appropriate for the audience and purpose, with good word choice, and minimal errors. | Message is somewhat clear, generally appropriate, with adequate word choice, but may contain several errors. | Message is unclear, inappropriate, or contains significant errors in grammar and spelling. |
| Group Collaboration | Group members consistently demonstrate exceptional teamwork, sharing ideas, and tasks equally and effectively. | Group members demonstrate effective teamwork, sharing ideas and tasks appropriately. | Group members participate but may have some imbalance in contribution or occasional conflicts. | Group struggles with collaboration, with uneven contributions or frequent conflicts. |
| Design Plan | Design plan is comprehensive, clearly articulates all choices, and shows deep reflection on integration of all three components. | Design plan clearly outlines design choices and how they integrate art, math, and language arts. | Design plan provides some details but lacks depth in explaining choices or integration. | Design plan is incomplete or unclear, providing minimal insight into design choices. |
Cool Down
Design Reflections Cool Down
Instructions: Before you leave, reflect on today's activity and answer the following questions in a few sentences:
- What was one new thing you learned or realized about how art, math, or language work together?
- What was the most challenging part of brainstorming your greeting card design, and how did your group try to solve it?
- What is one specific geometric idea or artistic element you are excited to include in your final card?