LESSON PLAN

Grade: 10 Title: Indigenous Printmaking Duration: 5- 8 classes

Overview of lesson.
The purpose for this activity is for students to gain a skill in a different medium and use different ways of
creating to express themselves. Students will learn were printmaking started, how the indigenous used this,
what types of printmaking there is, and be shown printmaking examples from the Indigenous Group of Seven.
Printmaking has been used by indigenous artists to illustrate myths, history, artic animals, documented
traditional ways of life, and the ever changing cultural and social landscape. This lesson will introduce
printmaking in general to students, and a basic introduction to the history of printmaking. First the students will
need to learn why the Indigenous used this medium, then students will learn the history of printmaking and the
different types. For the activity students will get to explore Lino cuts and how to make them. Students will
create their own Inuit/Indigenous inspired prints
Alberta Program of Study:
GLO:
Drawings
SLO:
Record: combine description, expression, and cognition in the drawing process
Investigate: develop and refine drawing skills and styles.

Learning Objectives.

Students will…
Create eye-catching indigenous Lino cuts
Practice their drawing to create an image
Lesson Guiding Questions:
How can printmaking be used to create meaningful artworks?

Annotated Learning Resources List

Resource #1: Listed in the body of lesson.
Resource #2:
Resource #3:
Material and Equipment:
Computer
Printer
Paper
Pencil
Lino
Lino Tools
scissors
Lesson Procedures
Introduction (1 min.):
Today we will be learning about printmaking. I have some videos and a PowerPoint about the history of
printmaking and the different types of printmaking. We are also going to learn how Indigenous/Inuit artists
used printmaking.

Body (__min.):
Steps and Procedures
Activity #1: Learning about Printmaking [Direct Instruction] (20 minutes)

First, we will be watching is a video about the history of printmaking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g92LagkGs1M

PowerPoint- Printmaking

Third, Intro to printmaking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNoRrp17SJ4

We will be using the relief technique and you will be creating Lino cuts.
I will show you a quick YouTube video and then we will get into the demo- *Time dependant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-hy_opPMvI

Now that you have the information for what is printmaking, the different types on printmaking, and have seen
some Indigenous and Inuit printmaking examples. I want you to find a symbol that means something to you,
and you will use this website: https://www.nativeamericanjewelry.com/symbol-meanings/ to find important
symbols of Indigenous people. Then you need to find an image you can use to transfer onto the Lino. You will
need to print it out first. For some of these I would recommend finding a cartoon or outlined version with detail
so it will be easier for you.
*Show them the website and the symbols used on this- then google the image and find an appropriate one
that will work for a print.

Transition:
Gain student attention and move into demo

Activity #2: Printmaking demo [Direct Instruction] (15-20 minutes)

Once you have chosen your image you will need to print it off. Then you have your piece of Lino. Use your Lino
to place it over your image so you can get the exact shape and size of the square. Then cut out your image to sit
nicely onto the Lino piece. From here you will turn over your image and using your pencil shade in the back
where your image covers. Flip that over and put it onto your Lino cut. This is when you trace out your image
with every detail you want on your print. Remove your paper and the image will be on the Lino, then use a
sharpie and re-outline it so you know where you are carving. From there is should look like this
*Show them all the steps you just did and how it will look before they cut into the Lino.

From here you will then use the Lino cut tools. *Hold it up and show them
To use this the back of the tool comes off and has different heads you can use. There are different gauges for
small lines or big lines. I recommend you use number 2- the middle gauge. For this next part you will
understand more once you see it. To add the little carving tool to the handle there is a small opening between
the middle metal part. This end piece will slide right into that section. If you turn this outside part too much and
it falls off the little piece comes out. It is very important that you do not misplace this because if you lose it the
whole tool needs to be replaced. To put it back together the little piece slides in and the twisty part goes back
on. If you need help with this, I am here to help you. I would rather you ask for help than try and smoosh things
together and it get lost or broken.

Now that your outline is on your Lino and your tool is ready to go you can start carving. For this artwork I want
you to take the lines away and the rest of the plate will be left to have ink on it when we get printing. Once
everyone has their Lino cut then we will go into inky the plate and how to print it. I just gave you a lot of
information, so I want you to focus on going to the website to choose an Indigenous symbol that resonates with
you, finding your image, printing the image, then getting it onto your Lino. Once this is done you can start
cutting.
When you find your image, I want you to come check-in with me and tell me why you chose it. If you want to
create an original image based off the Indigenous symbols you can try that as well.

There won’t be time to start today but if you have some spare time to look ahead at the website then I
suggest doing so. Take a picture of the URL so you have it, but it will stay on the board.

Consolidating (1) mins

Can someone please let me what printmaking was used for back in the day?

Clean up (5) mins

Students are responsible for cleaning up their own materials

Class 2-4:
Activity #1: Independent work (Student participation) (40 minutes)
This class you will be looking at the Indigenous website for a symbol that resonates with you. Then find an
image that you could use for your print- a cartoon would be better just for the simplicity of the lines. Email this
image to me and I can print it- or print it to the library. Make sure your image is smaller on the page because it
needs to fit the Lino cut size- *Hold it up for them to see
A big image on the paper won’t work.
Remember once you have the image come chat with me and then you can gather materials and get started.

Students will have 2-4 classes for creating this

After this time frame their clay should be dried and we will move into lesson 3

Consolidating (1) mins

Can someone please let me type of printmaking we are doing?

Clean up (5) mins

Students are responsible for cleaning up their own materials
Consolidating () mins

Clean up () mins
Formative Assessments Type/Name:
Observation-F

Check-ins- F

Differentiation:
Students will have more help if needed

If they student cannot complete the artwork than we will have a discussion on what they could do instead.

Reflection

How the students responded to the lesson as planned and taught:

Specific strengths of the lesson plan and delivery:
Specific weaknesses in the lesson plan and delivery:
What must be addressed to improve this plan?
How I have grown from this teaching experience:

Other Notes