Islamic Art

7th grade students study Ancient Civilizations in Social Studies and in visiting the Middle East, I wanted to incorporate a printmaking lesson either on Architecture or on Abstract design.  I did some research and felt that the information from the MET and the opportunity to collaborate with math led me to this Lesson.  (I'll do Architecture next time.)

I thought it was interesting to learn about how this particular culture wanted to separate themselves from all the other religious art going on at that time as well as what their art meant to them, the reasoning, why it's abstract and infinite and the beauty of the math in art! 

The information from the MET can be found here and my summarized information with questions can be found here.  Below are images of the tools we used and the end result from the kiddos.  They really enjoyed this lesson and were very responsible and respectful with the tools.  One of these is actually on display in the community!