I Like It! Discovering Your Personal Style

By Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, October 5, 2006

Grade Level

Middle School

Subject Area

Arts
Language Arts

Lesson Time

One or two 50 minute class periods

Introduction

This activity is designed to help students become aware of the wide range of design styles and choices in everyday living. Students will explore their personal preferences as they investigate different interior design styles, including, but not limited to, Arts and Crafts, Asian, Southwestern, Eclectic, English Country, Cottage and Contemporary. They will conduct research and create collaborative classroom presentations.

National Standards

Writing

Standard 1. Level III. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process 5. Uses content, style, and structure (e.g., formal or informal language, genre, organization) appropriate for specific audiences (e.g., public, private) and purposes (e.g., to entertain, to influence, to inform)

Standard 4. Level III. Gathers and uses information for research purposes

2. Uses a variety of resource materials to gather information for research topics (e.g., magazines, newspapers, dictionaries, schedules, journals, phone directories, globes, atlases, almanacs, technological sources)

Reading Standard 7. Level III. Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts 1. Uses reading skills and strategies to understand a variety of informational texts (e.g., electronic texts; textbooks; biographical sketches; directions; essays; primary source historical documents, including letters and diaries; print media, including editorials, news stories, periodicals, and magazines; consumer, workplace, and public documents, including catalogs, technical directions, procedures, and bus routes)

Listening & Speaking

Standard 8. Level III. Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes 6. Makes oral presentations to the class (e.g., uses notes and outlines; uses organizational pattern that includes preview, introduction, body, transitions, conclusion; uses a clear point of view; uses evidence and arguments to support opinions; uses visual media)

Working With Others

Standard 1. Contributes to the overall effort of a group

Thinking & Reasoning

Standard 5. Applies basic trouble-shooting and problem-solving techniques

Visual Arts: Artistic Expression & Communication

Standard 2. Level III. Knows how to use structures (e.g., sensory qualities, organizational principles, expressive features) and functions of art 3. Knows how qualities of structures and functions of art are used to improve communication of one's ideas

Objectives

Students will do the following:

respond to writing prompts
conduct Internet research
compare, contrast, and analyze diverse sources of information
create a class presentation

Resources

Interior design Internet websites
"Design Styles" handout

Materials

computer with Internet access
drawing or construction paper
interior design and style magazines
markers, crayons, pencils
stapler, scissors, glue

Procedures

Building Background Personal Preferences

The purpose of this activity is to help students reflect on different aspects of their personal taste and style preferences. 1. Ask your students to respond in writing to the following prompts:

What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite sound?
What is your favorite texture?
If you were buying a new couch, what material would it be made from? (leather, chenille, cotton, etc.)
Describe your favorite room in your house.
What color combinations are your favorites?
Describe the most beautiful room that you have ever seen.

2. Ask your students to choose three of their favorite colors and write down the words that describe the moods and feelings that their color choices evoke. 3. Have the students bring in a picture of a room that they like. It can be any room in a house. Ask students to volunteer to share their pictures, and describe what they like about their selected room.

Steps for Learning Style Explorations

The purpose of this activity is to help students explore a variety of design options and styles. 1. Divide the class into groups of three students. Give each group a copy of the "Design Styles" handout. 2. Create a classroom design exhibit that features students' presentations. Provide time for each group to present its work to the class. 3. Lead a class discussion about the different presentations, and what students liked, found helpful, and learned about the different interior design styles. 4. Ask students to respond to the following writing prompts:

What did you learn from this activity?
What surprised you the most?
What did you learn about your personal style preferences from this activity?

Assessment

Reflection

Create a class rubric with your students that will help them assess their presentations. Use the following guidelines to help create the rubric.-Rate how effectively you analyzed the varied information sources you used. Excellent Good Adequate Poor-Rate the overall effectiveness of your presentation in explaining your selected style. Excellent Good Adequate Poor-Rate your creativity. Excellent Good Adequate Poor

Enrichment Extension Activities

Design a Room

Ask your students to design a room that reflects one of the design styles they researched in this activity. Have them create a floor plan and describe the colors, furniture, and accessories they would use in designing this room.