🗓️ Before Class: Teacher Prep
- Gather/set out: Printed examples of ancient design systems (teacher-provided), Drawing paper, Pencils, colored pencils.
- If today includes physical/hands-on work: make sure the classroom cameras are charged, working, and have a cleared SD card ready for photo uploads.
- Print today's student handouts (see 🖨️ Student Handouts below) in the language versions your class needs.
- Pull up today's slide deck (see 🖥️ Slide Deck below) so it's ready to project.
🖨️ Student Handouts (print, one per class day)
Word + picture + definition + a short writing task for that day's vocabulary, in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Simplified Chinese.
🧑🏫 Substitute Teacher Guide
A scripted, step-by-step runsheet for today's class -- hand this to anyone covering the room who doesn't know the daily routine.
- Day 1: 📋 Open Substitute Guide
- Day 2: 📋 Open Substitute Guide
🎯 Essential Question
- How did ancient civilizations use symbols, pattern, and design principles thousands of years ago?
📈 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson (2 Days), students will be able to:
- Identify at least 2 examples of ancient design systems (Egyptian hieroglyphics, Greek pottery patterns, textile motifs, etc.).
- Connect an ancient design element/principle to one used in Unit 3.
- Create a small design piece inspired by an ancient symbol system, connecting to the Historical Preservation pathway.
📐 Standards Alignment
CDOS (Career Development & Occupational Studies)
- CDOS 1 — Career Development -- students will be able to explain the range of career choices, and identify personal interests, skills, and aptitudes that relate to those choices.
- CDOS 2 — Integrated Learning -- students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace and other settings.
- CDOS 3a — Universal Foundation Skills -- basic literacy, communication, and problem-solving skills required for a career.
ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) Photoshop Exam Objectives
- ACP 1.5 — Demonstrate knowledge of basic design principles and best practices employed in the design industry.
🎓 Study this for the ACP exam: Domain 1: Working in the Design Industry
📚 Key Vocabulary
- Hieroglyphics
- An ancient Egyptian writing system that used pictures and symbols to represent words and sounds.
- Motif
- A recurring design element or pattern that carries symbolic meaning, repeated throughout a piece.
🧰 Materials & Tools
- Printed examples of ancient design systems (teacher-provided)
- Drawing paper
- Pencils, colored pencils
🧠 Do Now (Warm-Up)
Look at the symbol on the board. What do you think it might have meant to the people who made it, thousands of years ago?
📋 Main Workshop / Lesson Sequence
This lesson spans 2 Days. Suggested pacing:
| Day | Focus | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Ancient Design Systems | Do Now (5 min, above). Mini-lesson (15 min): examples of ancient design systems (Egyptian hieroglyphics, Greek pottery, textile patterns) and the elements/principles they used (repetition, pattern, symbol). Guided analysis (15 min): as a class, analyze one example, identifying elements/principles. Independent analysis (10 min): analyze a second example on your own. |
| Day 2 | Design Inspired by History | Do Now (5 min): sketch one symbol/motif idea inspired by yesterday. Mini-lesson (5 min): connect to the Historical Preservation pathway -- how do we study and preserve these old design systems today? Independent build (30 min): create a small design piece inspired by an ancient symbol system. Share (5 min). |
✅ Assessment & Exit Ticket
Piece + short reflection scored with a rubric: accurate connection to an ancient design system, thoughtful use of a motif.
Exit Ticket: Name one element or principle ancient designers used that we still use today.
📊 Pull up the anonymous Class Check-In for students to fill out before they go.
🧩 Differentiation & Accommodations
English Language Learners: provide translated or bilingual glossaries, visuals, and sentence frames; pair with a peer for meaningful participation. Students with IEPs: provide extended time, step-by-step checklists, and one-on-one or small-group support as specified in each student's plan. Attention-related needs: break the task into smaller steps, use visual timers, and minimize distractions. Students who finish early: extend the task by adding a second design variation, mentoring a classmate, or writing a short reflection connecting today's skill to a career pathway.