Title:  French, Science, Math & Mud, Oh My!!

 

Project Authors:  

 

Susan Blakely, El Paso ISD, El Paso, TX smblake2@episd.org

 

Tracy Brady, East Syracuse Minoa Central Schools, East Syracuse, NY tbrady@esmschools.org

 

Clarice Wilkinson, OCM BOCES, Syracuse, NY CWilkinson@ocmboces.org

 

Subject Area and Intended Grade Level

 

French 1B Grade 9-10

 

Geometry Grade 9-10

 

Chemistry Grade 11-12

 

Description:

 

Have you ever wondered how to use everyday plants to dye fabric?  Once your fabric is dyed how would you use geometric concepts to design amazing patterns?  Would you use mud to create these rockin’ patterns on a hot-looking skirt like people in the French-speaking country of Mali?

 

Learner Outcomes:  

 

French 1B:  

 

• Students will create Google Presentation slides showing the process they went through to create the patterns on the dyed cloth.

 

• Students will be able to explain the meanings of the symbols on the Malian mudcloth to the students from BOCES & El Paso in French and English.

 

• Students will ask thoughtful questions to the BOCES students about the dyeing process.

 

• Students will ask thoughtful questions to the El Paso students about the design process.

 

LOTE Standards:

 

1.  Students will be able to use a language other than English for communication

 

2.  Students will develop cross-cultural skills & understandings

 

Science Common Core Learning Standards

 

 Standard 4: IX.8

 

• Students will investigate which plant based dyes will work the best based on their Ph.

 

• Students will determine whether a substance is a base or acid based on the Ph.

 

 Standard 1: Scientific Inquiry: Key Idea 2

 

• Students will perform an experiment following the steps of the Scientific Method.

 

Math:

 

The students will be able to:

 

• differentiate  different mudcloth symbols and recognize the geometric patterns/shapes involved in the process of design.

 

• collaborate in groups of 3 and create a group mudcloth design.

 

• create a “geometric” story using the symbolic representations in their design.

 

• formulate a slide presentation which explains how they achieved their final design project.

 

• ask higher level questions to the language and science students related to their involvement in this distance learning collaboration.

 

Time:

 

This lesson will be presented with a single videoconference during one class period.  Several class periods in the various subject areas will be needed to prepare.

 

Preparation:

 

Tracy -- arrange bridge/recording through Amy Spath

 

French 1B:

 

Introduce/Practice vocabulary

 

Paint patterns on fabric

 

create presentation slides

 

Prepare questions about the dyeing process

 

Prepare questions about the design process

 

Math

Students will use different colored construction paper, glue and scissors to create a geometric design which has some of the symbolic meanings represented.

 

 

Chemistry:

 

Vocab building of bases, acids, and Ph

       Knowledge of Scientific method

       

Pre-prepared solutions of natural dyes

      Preparation of design questions

      Preparation of mud cloth making

 

 

Materials:

 

Chemistry

cloth

dyes

gloves

bowls

scissors

rubber bands

 

 

 

Math:

 

 

different colored construction paper

 

French:

 

dry red clay

 

white glue

 

tempera paint

 

paint brushes

 

popsicle sticks

 

toothpicks

 

Videoconference Agenda:

 

Introductions -- Susan Blakely

 

Presentations -- Tracy Brady 1.  OCM BOCES  2.  El Paso  3.  East Syracuse

 

Closure/Celebration -- Clar Wilkinson

 

Post Activities:

 

Sharing of the final product (East Syracuse)

 

Publishing of the VC recording

 

Student reflection

 

Sharing of process photos

 

Assessment & Evaluation

 

French 1B:  

 

Students will be evaluated on the process of creating their slides & questions within their groups.

 

Students will be evaluated on the oral presentation during the VC

 

Chemistry:

 

Students will be evaluated on their ability to carry out the Scientific Method  while dyeing the cloth.

Students will be evaluated on their ability to identify acids and bases using Ph.

Students will be evaluated on the oral presentation during the VC.

 

Math:

 

Students will be evaluated with a rubric on their geometric design, individual group collaboratation as well as slide/question participation..

A short quiz will be administered in regards to presentations (there will be questions on major topics covered in each core subject) and geometric design.

 

Implementation Plans

 

Fabric dyeing & design photos completed by the end of October

 

November 22, 2013 Videoconference Scheduled