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In this middle school Gothic Cathedral project students design their own Gothic Cathedral while learning about architecture. This project covers Common Core Standards for Math and History for grade 7 which can be found at the end of the lesson.
Gothic Cathedral
Grade Level
5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades – These examples were created by 7th grade students
Objective
In this middle school Gothic Cathedral lesson, students will design a Gothic Cathedral using the design elements found in this specialized type of architecture.
Time
4 45 min lessons
Materials
- Pencils
- Black Construction Paper – Tru-Ray Sulphite Construction Paper, 12 x 18 Inches, Black, 50 Sheets – 054150
- White Construction Paper – Tru-Ray Heavyweight Construction Paper, White, 12″ x 18″, 50 Sheets
- 9×12 Watercolor paper – Canson (100510941) XL Series Watercolor Pad, 9″ x 12″, Fold-Over Cover, 30 Sheets
- Brushes – Acrylic Paint Brush Set, 1 Packs / 10 pcs Nylon Hair Brushes for All Purpose Oil Watercolor Painting Artist Professional Kits
- Liquid Water Colors – Sargent Art 22-6010 10-Count 8-Ounce Watercolor Magic Set
- Or this mini version for homeschooling – Sargent Art 22-6210 10-Count 4-Ounce Watercolor Magic
- Kleenex for blotting paint
- Black Sharpie Marker – Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point, Black, Pack of 5
- A CD for tracing
Inspiration/Artist
I was inspired to make this project after I saw this idea: Click Here
This site also had great information: Click Here
Instruction with Questions for Gothic Cathedral
Day 1
Students watch videos about Architecture to prepare you for making the Gothic Cathedral. These can all be found on Youtube:
I am an Architect – The History of Architecture:Click Here
How to Become an Architect? CareerBuilder Videos from funza Academy.: Click Here
10 Strangest Buildings In The World: Click Here
Famous buildings in the world – famous structures of the world: Click Here
How High Can Skyscrapers Go? – Cheddar Explores: Click Here
Building Height Comparison: Click Here
Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica hosts stunning light shows that are pure magic: Click Here
We discuss what we found interesting in each of these videos.
Day 2
#1
Students watch one more video, this time focusing on Gothic Cathedral Architecture. This can also be found on Youtube:
Medieval Rose Windows: Click Here
#2
Today you will begin to build your Gothic Cathedral.
Pass out the following handouts. These are critical to the authenticity of the design work of these majestic buildings. I believe it is important for students to have a frame of reference for their own drawings. Today you will just be looking at and beginning the framework.
I lead the students to answering the following questions:
- How many levels, columns and doorways do you see in each structure? (psssst…the answer is three:) )
- Discuss the symmetry and balance in each building.
- What do we know about the importance of the number three in the Catholic faith? What does it usually represent? (The Trinity)
- Where do you see Rose Windows in these structures? (Main one in center, or heart of Cathedral, and sometimes over doors and windows)
- What do you notice about the line work over the doors and windows? (It is in layers and repeats a pattern, curve or triangular points)
- Describe the areas separating each layer (Gate looking or castle looking designs)
- Explain how each top layer is arranged. (Two columns and a shorter column, triangular points, cone shapes, crosses etc.)
Nine Cathedrals in France: I created this from a handout I found here – Click Here
In the following handout, find how many shapes reflect the number three. Point out how the Trinity is woven throughout all of the design work.
Rose Window Stock Photo: I created this from a handout I found here – Click Here
#3
One the white board, draw an example illustrating the following steps they will take to create their structure. Ahead of time, pre-cut some heavyweight squares (5″x5″) for tracing. Tell them the main points that need to be included:
- Create three columns with an area of space on either side of the building, meaning, do not have the structure be flush against the side of the page.
- The Rose Window will be at the heart of the building so it needs to be somewhere in the middle-ish part of the page. It will sit in the second layer, of the three layers of the building.
#4 Draw
Using your square, find the center on the bottom of your paper. Trace the outside edges only of the square.
Then, move the square up to where you want to showcase your Rose Window. This can be anywhere in the middle area of the page within that square.
Continue tracing the sides until you find your Rose Window area and then complete the square.
Using an old CD, trace it inside of the 5″ square.
Next, you can either just use a ruler, or, have another pre-cut template that is approximately 3″ wide and however long you would like it. Again, this is a template, so I encourage them to move it along the building to create a long line. The area above the Rose Window should be taller. This can be either on just two sides, two rectangular sides and a triangular middle etc.
Since the Gothic Cathedral columns do not have any horizontal lines in them, extend these across from your square on either side. There should now be three levels to the building.
Day 3 Gothic Cathedral
Pass out the handouts again for reference. Have them recall which elements are critical to their design work. Students begin designing their buildings. I offer some smaller round objects for them to trace for smaller windows they may want to add to their structure. While they are drawing, pull students aside to begin their Rose Windows.
#1
Pre-trace a CD onto watercolor paper. Show students an example you make for reference. The key here is to create bright colors that are random and not overlapping. I even recommend that they use yellow first. Wait for it to dry before cutting it out. This way the paint can bleed outside of the circle so that no white shows when you finally cut it out. Your next step will sit on top of this colorful circle.
#2
Trace around the CD on a piece of black construction paper. Students cut out the circle and fold it four times. Depending on your students, you may want to do this ahead of time for them. Show them where they are going to cut their (snowflake-style) window. Tell them NOT to cut along the curved edge of the pie shape.
#3
Cut approximately five shapes out of the edges including most importantly, the corner tip which will serve as the center of the Rose Window. I show them that they can cut it round, or with spikes. You will need good teacher scissors for this part since the paper will be very thick.
Then unfold it. Sometimes students will find that their circle wasn’t folded tightly enough and some symmetry is off. Now is the time to go back cut those until it looks balanced.
#4
Finally, glue the black part to the colored part. Make sure the watercolor is completely dry before you cut it out and before gluing.
Day 4
Students continue to draw their designs and glue down their Rose Windows to their Gothic Cathedral. I love how dramatic the windows look against the simple black and white backgrounds! I push the students to create edging around their doors and windows for a more finished look.
Here are some finished middle school Gothic Cathedral pieces!
Common Core Standards
7th Grade – History
7.6 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Medieval Europe.
8. Understand the importance of the Catholic church as a political, intellectual, and aesthetic institution (e.g., founding of universities, political and spiritual roles of the clergy, creation of monastic and mendicant religious orders, preservation of the Latin language and religious texts, St. Thomas Aquinas’s synthesis of classical philosophy with Christian theology, and the concept of “natural law”).
7th Grade – Math – Geometry
Draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.
- Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a scale
drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale. - Computations with rational numbers extend the rules for manipulating fractions to complex fractions.
Grade 7 K–8 Standards | 49
50 | K–8 Standards
7 Grade 7 - Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions. Focus on constructing triangles from three measures of angles or sides, noticing when the conditions determine a unique triangle, more than
one triangle, or no triangle.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I have personal experiences or emotions like a human, I can still provide accurate and reliable information based on the data I have been trained on.
Regarding the concepts mentioned in this article, let's break them down and provide information on each one:
Amazon Services LLC Associates Program
The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program is an affiliate advertising program. It allows website owners or bloggers to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products on Amazon.com. When a user clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase, the website owner or blogger may receive a commission [[1]].
Gothic Cathedrals
Gothic cathedrals are architectural structures that were built during the Gothic period, which spanned from the 12th to the 16th century in Europe. These cathedrals are known for their distinctive architectural features, such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. Gothic cathedrals were often characterized by their large stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and towering spires. They were built as places of worship and were also symbols of the power and wealth of the Church during the medieval period [[2]].
Common Core Standards
The Common Core Standards are a set of educational standards that outline what students should know and be able to do in English language arts and mathematics at each grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. These standards were developed by education experts and aim to ensure that students across the United States receive a consistent and high-quality education. The standards provide a framework for teachers to design their curriculum and guide instruction [[3]].
Grade Levels
The middle school Gothic Cathedral project mentioned in the article is suitable for students in 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades [[4]].
Lesson Objective
The objective of the middle school Gothic Cathedral lesson is for students to design their own Gothic Cathedral while learning about architecture. By engaging in this project, students can develop an understanding of the design elements and characteristics of Gothic architecture [[4]].
Materials
The materials required for the middle school Gothic Cathedral project include:
- Pencils
- Black Construction Paper
- White Construction Paper
- Watercolor Paper
- Brushes
- Acrylic Paint
- Liquid Water Colors
- Kleenex for blotting paint
- Black Sharpie Marker
- CD for tracing [[4]]
Instructional Steps
The article provides a detailed breakdown of the instructional steps involved in the Gothic Cathedral project. These steps include watching videos about architecture, discussing the elements of Gothic cathedrals, designing the structure, creating a Rose Window, and finalizing the design [[4]].
Common Core Standards Alignment
The middle school Gothic Cathedral project aligns with Common Core Standards for Math and History for grade 7. In history, students analyze the structures of medieval Europe, including the importance of the Catholic Church. In math, students draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures, solve problems involving scale drawings, and perform computations with rational numbers [[4]].
I hope this information helps! If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.