#1830. Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs

Art, level: Elementary
Posted Fri Jun 30 11:47:01 PDT 2000 by Dawn Sabol (http://www.cczh@grove.iup.edu).
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
Activity Time: 145 min. (3 45 min.class periods and 10 min.)
Concepts Taught:

BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the lesson on Pennsylvania Dutch Hex signs, the sixth grade students will
be able to identify and create Hex signs based on unity, focal point, nature and a personal meaning, with
100% accuracy.
The students will be able to:
base their Hex signs on nature and have a personal meaning for their family or themselves.
identify the focal points and unity in their Hex signs.
create a personal Hex sign in a 9'' diameter circle on a wooden disk in a primary color scheme with red,
blue, yellow, and black paints.
PROCEDURES:
(Motivation)
DAY 1
1. The Pennsylvania Dutch heritage will be introduced and discussed with students.
2. Students will know that these settlers brought their Old World (Dutch) customs and
traditions to Pennsylvania.
3. Students will know that the Hex signs are based on nature and meaning for the family.
4. Students will be given a Hex sign with a description. They will get in groups of two,
discuss, compare, and contrast their Hex sign given to them by the teacher.
5. Students will identify the focal point and unity found in Hex signs, which will be
incorporated into their own.
(Process)
6. Students will take their sketch book and draw their own Hex symbols that incorporates
nature, meaning for their own family or themselves, a focal point, and unity. (It is important to
stress individuality of their Hex signs.)
DAY 2
7. Students will lightly draw their hex design on a pre cut wooden disk.
8. The teacher will pour some acrylic paint onto paint palettes. Mix and smooth the paint with a palette
knife.
9. Students will hand paint their original Hex design on the pre cut wooden disk.
10.These designs will incorporate many different shades and tints of the three primary color (review).
DAY 3
11.Complete the project on the Hex signs. The critique will be the first ten minutes of the next class.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES:
1. Students are able to recognize Pennsylvania Dutch Hex signs.
2. Students are able to explain what Hex signs are and how they originated.
3. Students will create a Hex sign that incorporates a focal point and unity.
4. Students will select their own creative design based on nature and and a meaning for the family or
themselves.
5. Students will paint their designs using many different shades and tints of the three primary colors.
6. During a "critque" session, students will explain how their Hex sign has meaning (other than aesthetic
beauty), relates to nature, a focal point, unity throughout the sign, and a variety of shades and tints
from the primary colors.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
1. 28 printed Hex signs with descriptions
2. 28 sketch books and pencils
3. 28 pre cut circular wooden disks (9x9) * covered in white gesso and have holes drilled before hand
(cardboard may be used for a low budget classroom)
4. Acrylic paint for wooden disks (outdoors), Tempra paint in primary colors (will need black for shades)
5. 28 palettes
6. 28 paint brushes
7. 28 bowls of water
8. compace, large circles, rulers