Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder - Lesson Plan
Grade Level: 3
Title: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Brief History and Background:
Tattoos are a very old form of body art and have been practiced for a very long time in civilized human history. The oldest recorded indication of tattoos comes from ancient Egypt where wall paintings as old as 2000 BCE have suggested the use of tattoos. The word “tattoo” has many origins, as words in many different languages have the same meaning and similar pronunciation. Different civilizations have been recorded to use the word tattoo or at least the practice of coloring their body parts for different reasons. The Polynesian word “tatao”, which means “to tap”, can be the originator of this word though researchers suggest a Tahitian word “tatu” which means to mark something. In a few groups and religions, having a tattoo is an integral part and the person following the religion is required to have that tattoo mark on their body symbolizing the person authority as a group member. Even modern day gangs are seen to have a particular mark on their shoulders signifying their group name. The first electronic tattoo machine was invented by an American tattoo artist named Samuel O’Reilly in 1890, which gave birth to the new era of tattooing in which people started to have different kinds of tattoos on various parts of their body. Tattoos were not respected in its earlier days and were considered as a foolish thing, suitable only for drunkards, sailors, and criminals. The current popularity of tattoos came after many years of it’s’ existence. Now tattoos are more a fashion symbol, rather than a simple mark. Tattoos have now become an integral part of the current generation’s fashion.
Henna is a plant dye used to make temporary tattoos. The plant itself is a scrub about nine feet high. Henna plants produce flowers that are red, white, pink, yellow, and cream colored, depending on the scrub. However, the part of the plant used to make henna powder is the leaves. Although fresh henna leaves have no odor, henna powder has a damp vegetation smell. Dried leaves are crushed into a powder. Henna powder is mixed with water to make a paste and applied to the skin with a small stick or squeeze bottle. After the henna dries on the skin it is flaked off to reveal the temporary tattoo. Painting with henna has been practiced for over 5,000 years throughout Africa, India, and the Middle East. The henna plant originated in Egypt, and scientists have found mummies that had henna in their hair. Henna is traditionally used to mark the beginning of a new stage in a person's life. It may be applied to a newborn baby or a newly married woman. It was thought that the henna would bring good fortune and happiness. Henna tattoos are traditionally done in a variety of patterns and shapes. There are specific symbols that henna artists use to symbolize thoughts such as peace, courage, love, and creativity. Comparatively, traditional African designs are more geometric than designs from India. Some of the geometric designs were inspired by rug and carpet designs. Today henna is used in parts of Africa just as Western women use fingernail polish. Although it is still used to mark ethnic affiliations, it is also used just because people find it attractive. Henna is actually sold commercially in the U.S. for cosmetic purposes. People in the U.S. have places where they can go and pay to have henna applied to various parts of the human body.
Standards:
9.1.3 A, B, C, E, H, K
9.2.3 A, D, G, J, K
9.3.3 A, B, C, D, G
9.4.3 A, B, C, D
Goal:
Students will create a poster showing how two different cultures strive for beauty.
Objectives:
• Students will learn about the history of henna and tattoos.
• Students will use color, line, and shape when creating their drawings.
• Students will discuss aesthetics and critique.
Resource Materials/Visual Aides:
• Images of African henna tattoos
• Images of Indian henna tattoos
• Various American fashion magazines
Supplies/Materials:
• White paper 11” x 14”
• Pencils
• Elmer's GluColors decorative glue (or something similar)
• Colored pencils
Teacher Preparation:
Draw a line on each paper so it is divided into two rectangles measuring 11” x 7” each.
Introduction:
Briefly discuss tattoos. Then discuss henna tattoos and how and why they’re made. Pass out materials and continue discussion of henna tattoos while the students work. Introduce the vocabulary during the discussion.
Directions:
Day 1
1. Pass out paper and pencils.
2. The students will trace one of their hands on the right side of the paper.
3. The students will create their own designs and choose the meaning of the designs.
4. The students will write down what those symbols mean around the outside of the hand tracing.
5. The students will draw their designs lightly with a pencil inside of the hand outline.
6. The students will trace over their designs inside the hand with glue.
7. The students will write a sentence about how henna tattoos are used in Africa below the hand.
8. The students will allow the glue to dry overnight.
Day 2
1. The students will look at the designs that they have created and discuss whether or not they think henna hand painting is beautiful and why.
2. Ask the students what they think is more beautiful, henna hand painting or permanent tattoos like the ones many Americans have and why.
3. Remind students that women traditionally practice henna body art.
4. On the left side of the paper, have the students draw in pencil symbols of things American women do to look beautiful.
5. The students will color the American symbols.
6. Gather the completed work together and critique as a class.
Extension:
• The student will write about why he or she chose the American objects as symbols of beauty and their significance to our culture.
Critique/Evaluation/Assessment:
• Rubric
• Critique
Time Budget: 45 min. (x 2)
Vocabulary:
Tattoo:
1. A permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.
2. A design made on the skin with a temporary dye such as henna or ink.
Henna:
1. A plant dye used to make temporary tattoos.
Safety Concerns: None
Bibliography/References:
• Fabius, Carine, Mehndi: the art of henna body painting, Random House, New York, 1998.
Title: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Brief History and Background:
Tattoos are a very old form of body art and have been practiced for a very long time in civilized human history. The oldest recorded indication of tattoos comes from ancient Egypt where wall paintings as old as 2000 BCE have suggested the use of tattoos. The word “tattoo” has many origins, as words in many different languages have the same meaning and similar pronunciation. Different civilizations have been recorded to use the word tattoo or at least the practice of coloring their body parts for different reasons. The Polynesian word “tatao”, which means “to tap”, can be the originator of this word though researchers suggest a Tahitian word “tatu” which means to mark something. In a few groups and religions, having a tattoo is an integral part and the person following the religion is required to have that tattoo mark on their body symbolizing the person authority as a group member. Even modern day gangs are seen to have a particular mark on their shoulders signifying their group name. The first electronic tattoo machine was invented by an American tattoo artist named Samuel O’Reilly in 1890, which gave birth to the new era of tattooing in which people started to have different kinds of tattoos on various parts of their body. Tattoos were not respected in its earlier days and were considered as a foolish thing, suitable only for drunkards, sailors, and criminals. The current popularity of tattoos came after many years of it’s’ existence. Now tattoos are more a fashion symbol, rather than a simple mark. Tattoos have now become an integral part of the current generation’s fashion.
Henna is a plant dye used to make temporary tattoos. The plant itself is a scrub about nine feet high. Henna plants produce flowers that are red, white, pink, yellow, and cream colored, depending on the scrub. However, the part of the plant used to make henna powder is the leaves. Although fresh henna leaves have no odor, henna powder has a damp vegetation smell. Dried leaves are crushed into a powder. Henna powder is mixed with water to make a paste and applied to the skin with a small stick or squeeze bottle. After the henna dries on the skin it is flaked off to reveal the temporary tattoo. Painting with henna has been practiced for over 5,000 years throughout Africa, India, and the Middle East. The henna plant originated in Egypt, and scientists have found mummies that had henna in their hair. Henna is traditionally used to mark the beginning of a new stage in a person's life. It may be applied to a newborn baby or a newly married woman. It was thought that the henna would bring good fortune and happiness. Henna tattoos are traditionally done in a variety of patterns and shapes. There are specific symbols that henna artists use to symbolize thoughts such as peace, courage, love, and creativity. Comparatively, traditional African designs are more geometric than designs from India. Some of the geometric designs were inspired by rug and carpet designs. Today henna is used in parts of Africa just as Western women use fingernail polish. Although it is still used to mark ethnic affiliations, it is also used just because people find it attractive. Henna is actually sold commercially in the U.S. for cosmetic purposes. People in the U.S. have places where they can go and pay to have henna applied to various parts of the human body.
Standards:
9.1.3 A, B, C, E, H, K
9.2.3 A, D, G, J, K
9.3.3 A, B, C, D, G
9.4.3 A, B, C, D
Goal:
Students will create a poster showing how two different cultures strive for beauty.
Objectives:
• Students will learn about the history of henna and tattoos.
• Students will use color, line, and shape when creating their drawings.
• Students will discuss aesthetics and critique.
Resource Materials/Visual Aides:
• Images of African henna tattoos
• Images of Indian henna tattoos
• Various American fashion magazines
Supplies/Materials:
• White paper 11” x 14”
• Pencils
• Elmer's GluColors decorative glue (or something similar)
• Colored pencils
Teacher Preparation:
Draw a line on each paper so it is divided into two rectangles measuring 11” x 7” each.
Introduction:
Briefly discuss tattoos. Then discuss henna tattoos and how and why they’re made. Pass out materials and continue discussion of henna tattoos while the students work. Introduce the vocabulary during the discussion.
Directions:
Day 1
1. Pass out paper and pencils.
2. The students will trace one of their hands on the right side of the paper.
3. The students will create their own designs and choose the meaning of the designs.
4. The students will write down what those symbols mean around the outside of the hand tracing.
5. The students will draw their designs lightly with a pencil inside of the hand outline.
6. The students will trace over their designs inside the hand with glue.
7. The students will write a sentence about how henna tattoos are used in Africa below the hand.
8. The students will allow the glue to dry overnight.
Day 2
1. The students will look at the designs that they have created and discuss whether or not they think henna hand painting is beautiful and why.
2. Ask the students what they think is more beautiful, henna hand painting or permanent tattoos like the ones many Americans have and why.
3. Remind students that women traditionally practice henna body art.
4. On the left side of the paper, have the students draw in pencil symbols of things American women do to look beautiful.
5. The students will color the American symbols.
6. Gather the completed work together and critique as a class.
Extension:
• The student will write about why he or she chose the American objects as symbols of beauty and their significance to our culture.
Critique/Evaluation/Assessment:
• Rubric
• Critique
Time Budget: 45 min. (x 2)
Vocabulary:
Tattoo:
1. A permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.
2. A design made on the skin with a temporary dye such as henna or ink.
Henna:
1. A plant dye used to make temporary tattoos.
Safety Concerns: None
Bibliography/References:
• Fabius, Carine, Mehndi: the art of henna body painting, Random House, New York, 1998.
posted by CMAZEIKA at 10:14 AM
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