DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast

Students use a compass to draw a circle and divide it into 7 equal parts and use it to design a personalized, patterned hubcap.

 

Required Time

80 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 6 to Grade 9

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

contrast hubcap pattern symmetry

Materials

Construction Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12") Crayola White Glue Crayola Scissors Crayola Sketchbooks - 1 per student Crayola Construction Paper Crayons Rulers - 1 per student Corrugated Cardboard - 22.9 cm x 22.9 cm (9" x 9")

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Steps

DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast - Step One

Step One

  1. Use a compass to draw a circle with a diameter of 17 cm (6.5") in your sketchbook.
  2. Follow the instructions to divide the circle into 7 equal parts. (Downloads - DividingCircleSevenParts.pdf)
DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Make a plan drawing of your hubcap design.
  2. Use repeated shapes and lines to create patterns.
  3. Make a design that tells something about you.
DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Glue small pieces of coloured paper on a page of your sketchbook.
  2. Try all the construction paper crayon colours on each colour of paper.
  3. Choose the coloured paper you like the best for your hubcap design.
DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Use a pencil to draw your hubcap design on the construction paper.
  2. Make sure it has a diameter of at least 17 cm (6.5").
  3. Colour it with construction paper crayons.
  4. Press hard with the crayons to get rich colours.
DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Draw glue lines around the edges of your design.
  2. This will add depth and texture to your design.
  3. Set the paper aside to dry for a few hours.
DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Cut out a cardboard circle with a diameter .5 cm (1/4") smaller than the hubcap design circle.
  2. Cut out the construction paper design.
  3. Centre it on the cardboard circle.
  4. Glue it in place.
DESIGN YOUR OWN HUBCAP – Symmetry, Pattern, Contrast - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Glue the finished design onto a piece of contrasting construction paper.
  2. Gently rub the surface of the hubcap design with your fingers or a soft tissue to polish the crayon.
  3. Gently press the outer edges of the construction paper down to curve them over the cardboard.
  4. Trim the paper.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  • follow instructions to divide a circle into 7 equal parts;
  • create a personal hubcap design;
  • use repeated shapes and colours to create patterns;
  • demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity;
  • support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Extensions

Have students:

  • explore ways to use a compass to create circular geometric designs based on different divisions, for example, threefold - tenfold symmetries;
  • use coloured pencils or fine line markers to colour their designs;
  • teach another student how to divide a circle into a specific number of equal parts.

Prepare

  1. Prior to this lesson provide time for students to practice using a compass.
  2. Review or teach the concept of symmetry and circular symmetry.
  3. Download and display the Contrast and Repetition posters available on this website.
    - review or teach the principle of repetition – motif, pattern
    - review or teach the principle of contrast – strong differences
  4. Download images of hubcaps from the Internet, for example,
    Hubcap1
    Hubcap2
    Hubcap3
  5. Do a Google search for Hubcap Art to find and download examples of painted hubcaps.
  6. Download and copy the How to Divide a Circle into 7 Equal Parts worksheet, enough for each student to have one. (Downloads – DividingCircleSevenParts.pdf)

Introduction

  1. View and discuss images of hubcaps. Invite students to share what they know about hubcaps, for example,
    - hubcaps cover the rim of a wheel
    - they protect the central part of the car’s wheel
    - they can be made of plastic or metal
    - some race cars have non-rotating hubcaps that stay in the same position even when the car is moving
  2. View and discuss some images of painted hubcaps. Ask students:
    - What stands out for you in the designs? Why?
    - Why do you think people paint on old hubcaps?     
  3. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Follow instructions to divide a circle into 7 equal parts.
  2. Create a personal hubcap design.
  3. Use repeated shapes and colours to create patterns.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  5. Support your ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

The Process

  1. Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - used a compass to draw a circle
    - divided the circle into 7 equal parts
    - created a personal hubcap design
    - repeated shapes and colours to create patterns
    - kept the paper in good condition
  3. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Observe students as they work. 
  5. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

 

Sharing

  1. Place students into groups of about 6.
  2. Ask them to view the hubcap designs and to share thoughts about the works.
  3. During the discussion include references to: 
    - Design - How does the design make you feel? Why?
    - Colour - What effect do the colours have on the overall design?
    - Pattern - How has pattern been created?
    - Technical Accomplishment - Where can you see that the artist has paid attention to detail?
    - Message - What does the design tell you about the person who created it?
  4. Ask volunteers to share some ideas with the whole class. 

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they share and discuss their designs – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - Hubcap_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to reflect on their work. (Downloads - Hubcap_self-assessment.pdf) 

 

Downloads

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