Early Childhood

The Essential Questions
What is architecture? What role do blueprints play in an architectʼs process? How do artists experiment with line and shape to design a building?

Objective
Students will print lines and shapes to design an architectural structure or building.

Materials
blue paper, white tempera paint, cut cardboard, found objects to print with (marker caps, blocks, etc.), white colored pencils or oil pastels

Procedures
1. Show students images of architectural blueprints. Examine the components of a blueprint and discuss how blueprints are part of an architectʼs design process.
2. Share with students that they will design their own building in the style of a blueprint, using various found objects to print their building.
3. Demonstrate how to use card-board and other objects to print different types of lines, shapes, and textures.
4. Provide each student with a sheet of blue paper. On top of the paper, students start to print the shape of their structures using cardboard. Once the shape of their building is complete, students use found objects to print windows and doors.
5. After their prints dry, students add other details using white colored pencils or oil pastels. Students can include text and building dimensions like a real blueprint.

Extension
If time permits, read the following book aloud to the class: Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2007).

Assessment
Students participate in a gallery walk and talk about what inspired their blueprint design, ideas, and process.

Mary Bergh is an art teacher at John F. Hartranft Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.