let’s explore
let’s explore
contents what are they? divided into
5-7 9-13
categories fun activities
15-22
what are they?
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
what are they?
Patterns in nature can be described as things that occur naturally both in the environment and animals. They don’t necessary follow the characteristics of more precise, man-made patterns such as repeating geometry. However many patterns in
nature do follow symmetry (an object that is made up of exact similar parts facing each other or around an axis) for example, starfish and butterflies’s (see right). If you open your eyes and look around you, will see that we are surrounded by
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
7
on in this book. Some man-made patterns have been created through the use of found materials and note that many man-made patterns have been influenced and created upon things that have been seen in nature.
many patterns, which all fall under different categories which will be introduced later
This book is to help you realise that nature can be beautiful in all its forms and can encourage you to be creative using the outdoors instead of resorting to technology all the time (such as your computer’s!). After all, this nature has been around for millions of years long before technology has come along and has helped influence many people to be creative but also have a better appreciation for the outdoors.
divided into categories
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
10
divided into categories • Unaffected by human action e.g. leaf skeletons, crystal forms, clouds •Shaped by forces of the world such as erosion by wind or water
crystal forms
e.g. limestone pavement, wave-cut platforms •Made of found materials
leaf skeletons
e.g. stone walls, wicker baskets •Made in any physical way, not using technology e.g. batik,ikat, weavings
limestone pavement
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
11
wicker basket
wave-cut platforms
ikat
stone walls
weavings
batik
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
12
• Occurring according to inevitable laws of construction e.g. spirally arranged flower heads, pine cones, seashells honeycomb
•Made without human intention e.g. scooters lined up in a street, bottles arranged on a shelf •Shaped by living things other than man
bottles arranged in an order
e.g. snakeskin. seastars, leaves, fruit, honeycomb scooters arranged in an order
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
13
seashell
sunflower
pine cones
seastar
dragon fruit
snakeskin
fun activities
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
16
fun activities Activity 1 - Catching a spiders web Spider webs are beautiful patterns, so why don’t you go and pop outside and find one and capture your very own one. YOU WILL NEED •Black construction paper (or black card stock) •Spray adhesive •White spray paint (optional) •Scissors
1. Locate a clean spider’s web (preferably one in which the spider has vacated) 2. Spray the black paper with spray adhesive 3. Spray the spider’s web from each angle with white spray paint, careful not to get any spray on nearby leaves, fence, etc. This may require the use of some newspaper as a drop cloth.
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
17
4. With the black paper behind the web, slowly bring the paper towards you until it touches the web. Then with the web on the paper, carefully cut the guy lines holding the web in place.
5. Document with chalk or pencil on the back of the paper the date and where the web was collected.
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
18
Activity 2 - Bark and Leaf rubbings Bark and leaf rubbings are really YOU WILL NEED
Leaf Rubbings
•To go to your local woods or park and find leaves that you find interesting and collect a few. Also find trees with interesting barks •Chunky Crayons •Paper
1. Look for fallen leaves that you might like outside, if you can’t find any gently pull some off the trees. 2. Once inside place the leaves on a flat surface with the rough surface facing up and carefully place a white piece of paper on top. 3. Holding the paper with one hand gently rub the crayon over the leaf to reveal your unique rubbing
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
19
Bark Rubbings 1. Look for a tree you like that has a nice bark pattern on it. 2. Holding onto your piece of paper place it up against the tree and gently rub the crayon over the bark to reveal your unique rubbing Once you have created your rubbings, try and make your own pattern by cutting them out into interesting shapes and placing them together. See what you can produce.
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
20
Activity 3 - Beach art and Seaweed pictures Using the materials found on a beach or just the beach itself to produce pictures. You can come across all sorts of things such as seaweed, pebbles, seashells etc. YOU WILL NEED •To go to a beach and use your imaginations (if your not near a beach try going to your local woods or park and see what you can find) •A camera to take photos
Using your imaginations on a beach see what pictures/ art you can create. Try using the materials surrounding you such as seaweed or pebbles to make more interesting outcomes. Or try just drawing directly into the sand with a stick. Whilst you are there see what patterns are created naturally in the sand, the sea or things that have been washed up ashore. Take photos to document all the things you have created as the beach is a forever changing landscape so things you create might not be there the following day. From the photos see how you can create your images further perhaps make a pattern from
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
21
your findings. Here is some inspiration of what you could create on the beach but many of these things have been created by amazing artists, but if you put your mind to it you could make things like this!!!
let’s learn about patterns ...
patterns in nature
22
Activity 4 - Using the Activity Pack Cards Spider webs are beautiful patterns, so why don’t you go and pop outside and find one and capture your very own one. YOU WILL NEED •Activity pack cards •Pen or pencil
Using the cards try and match up each pattern under its correct category that you learnt early on in the book. Refer back if you cant remember. Try brainstorming other patterns that might come under those other categories as well and on the back of the cards are information of that particular material acting as a pattern. There is also space so you can record your thoughts and patterns of that particular pattern - try to think what it could be used for. The posters of many blown up natural patterns can be used as visual stimuli and can be placed on a wall to encourage you to be creative.