·        Why did I choose this big idea?

I believe patterns to be extremely important in studying other cultures and understanding one’s own culture.  It is the communication and expression of ideas, beliefs and experiences through visual or intellectual structure.

·        Why is this idea important for teaching?

Students need to learn how to study and appreciate other people groups and cultures than their own.  Pattern need to be analyzed and understood before truly appreciated.  I think that the skill of pattern recognition and comparison can be taught and is a helpful tool in getting students to express themselves.

·        Why did I select these activities for the unit?

Students already use patterns even if not understood.  I think that inking is a beautiful way to adorn oneself and has been a common thread of many cultures thoughout time. The thought of permanently marking one’s body with a symbol of importance shows that visual pattern is a very personal form of art and communication.  To give students a chance to create a “tattoo” that incorporates meaning and not just rebellion, yet is not permanent, offers an exciting challenge.

·        What has been the most challenging part of the unit for students?

Students do not often put a lot of thought into the simple decisions of the life.  To get students to realize that meaning can be incorporated into daily life poses a threat to their freedom and intimidates them.  It is a very personal thing to share the meaning of an image on their bodies.

·        What has been problematic in developing the unit?

Getting parents to understand the importance of patterns and to see the symbolic representation behind these images is difficult. Letters need to be sent home to inform parents of the goals and purpose behind these projects.  It is also very hard to find information online that is not pornographic when it comes to looking up body adornment.  Most of this project needs to be discussed in class and students should not be given the free realm to research on the web.

·        What changes have I made and why?

I am still developing this website so there are constantly changes taking place.  I am trying to incorporate other discipline areas in addition to the study of various cultures.

·        What is most important about the unit?

To me, it is most important that students learn to express themselves through symbols and images that are important to them.  In addition they learn how to understand and interpret other individuals and see repetition or trends between people of similar cultural upbringings.

·        How did I decide what to access?

I found that access information in any content area could lead to the analyzation and development of patterns.  I thought though various discipline areas and organized the concepts into areas demonstrating patterns.

·        What seems to be the most interesting part of the unit?

Finding out ways in which students express themselves is amazing.  Although brought up in a similar community and cultural group, students try to be an individual and unique.  Their ideas are inspiring.