3 of 14

Notes for teachers

Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom for three to five hours.
Students may work individually or in pairs.
Classification of types of rock forms inspires a geometric-shaped gemstone artwork.
Personally relevant solutions should be encouraged.
Facilitate student reflection on how to simplify facets of a gemstone in a drawing.

List of Materials

9” x 12” watercolor paper

Pencil or Permanent black marker

Eraser

Watercolor paints

Paint brushes

4 of 14

Arizona Core Idea for Knowing Science

Arizona Math Standards

Arizona Art Standards

VA:Cr1.1.6a - Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work -Combine concepts collaboratively to generate innovative ideas for creating art.

VA:Cr2.1.6a - Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Demonstrate openness in trying new ideas, materials, methods, and approaches in making works of art and design.

VA:Re9.1.6a - Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Develop and apply relevant criteria to evaluate a work of art.

7.G.A Draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures, and describe the relationships between them.

Earth and Space Science

E1: The composition of the Earth and its atmosphere and the natural and human processes occurring within them shape the Earth’s surface and its climate.

5 of 14

Objective(s):

Today I will learn about the classifications of rocks and gemstones.

Today I will learn about geometric shapes and lines so that I can use lines to draw polygonal shapes to represent gemstones.

Today I will learn about warm and cool colors.

6 of 14

Agenda Day 1: (50 minutes)

Rocks are identified in three major classes: Link

Diorite - Igneous

Breccia - Sedimentary

Lapis Lazuli - Metamorphic

7 of 14

Agenda Day 1: (50 minutes)

Draw CONTOUR LINE (outline) of each gem (POLYGONS) with a black permanent marker or a pencil on the watercolor paper.Geometric Gemstone Handout Link

Place a series of dots inside the shape, about one inch away from the contour line.

8 of 14

Agenda Day 2: (50 minutes)

• Connect each angle with each dot using a line. This forms the first layer of triangular shapes inside the gem.

• After the first layer of triangle shapes are created, draw another series of randomly placed dots moving towards the center.

9 of 14

Agenda Day 3 and 4: (2 @ 50 minutes)

• Once all shapes are created inside the gem, select three COLORS of either WARM or COOL watercolor paints.

10 of 14

Student Examples of Geometric Gemstone

11 of 14

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

What are the three classifications of rocks?

How can one use geometry, drawing with lines and dots and watercolors to

illustrate the facets of a gemstone?

What is your favorite gemstone: ruby, diamond, emerald or sapphire?

12 of 14

Hands-on Activity Instructions

Students will work independently or in pairs.
Step-by-step instructions:

1.Using the Geometric Gemstone Handout, students will draw the outline of their chosen gemstone.

2. Place a series of dots inside the shape, about one inch away from the contour line.

3.Connect each angle with each dot using a line. This will create the first layer of triangular shapes inside the gem.

4.Draw another series of randomly placed dots moving towards the center.

5. Connect each angle with each dot using a line.

6.Using watercolor paint, chose three three colors or either warm or cool colors, and paint the gemstone.

13 of 14

Assessment

Did the student draw a large polygonal shape, that fills the picture plane, for their rock or gem by using guide dots and straightines? (60 points)
Did the student limit their color palette to either warm or cool colors and paint the ENTIRE composition? (30 points)
Did the student use consistent craftsmanship and time management? (10 points)

Geometric Gemstone Assessment

14 of 14

Differentiation

Using a light box, line drawing example of a gemstone. Students will trace the example of a gemstone on to their sheet of drawing paper.

To add color, or the color step, students may use colored pencils or crayons to color the polygon shapes that comprise the gemstone design.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students will create a three dimensional model of their favorite classification of rock: Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic.