A unit titled “Patterns” was planned by the Specialist teachers using Gardner’s Multiple
Intelligences. Students were awakened to the prevalence of patterns in our everyday lives –
through Music, Dance, Science, Literature and P.E.

In the Visual Art Program, the Grade 5-6 students were challenged to discover patterns in architecture.
Initially, a “Getting Knowledge Ready” activity asked students to identify a series of
famous man-made structures, such as The Eiffel Tower and The Sydney Opera House. Additional visuals
were introduced and initiated some wonderful, animated discussions. As the term progressed, the
students challenged each other to identify buildings according to What, Where, When and Why they were
built.

Each student selected a favourite building, and then used a small, card ‘viewing window’ to
hone in on different areas of the structure. This ‘viewing window’ enabled them to focus on
the patterns within the building. When they had chosen an interesting section, tracing paper was placed
under the card and the design was traced. The design was then retraced using a black fineliner.

The line design was photocopied a number of times, then trimmed. Students worked individually, and
cooperatively, to arrange the squares in different ways until an interesting, pleasing pattern was
created. After pasting down the arrangement, another photocopy was taken. The original work was mounted
to highlight the purity of line and pattern. It also was a means of making additional copies if
required.The students were then challenged to select a limited number of colours to highlight specific
areas of the design. Valuable discussion arose when comparing the completed artworks. Both students,
staff and parents were amazed by different interpretations.

Can you match these famous landmarks and the corresponding patterns?

•The Burj Al Arab
•The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
•The Palace of Versailles
•The Colosseum
•Sagrada Familia
•The White House
•Duomo Florence
•Dome of the Rock Jerusalem
•The Sydney Opera House
•Petronas Twin Towers
•St Basil’s Cathedral
•Big Ben
•Taj Mahal
•Golden Gate Bridge

Thomastown West Primary School
Suitable for Level 4