5th Grade Tapa Cloth

This was another fun unit I did.  The unit focused on the Tongan Culture in the South Pacific Ocean.  We discussed how tapa cloth was made, creating patterns, how to make grids, and symbols of nature.  The first day we added texture to butcher paper and began painting the background for the tapa cloth.  Students also began creating their rubbing plates by drawing out the symbols and gluing thick yarn on top.  The next classes were a combination of drawing a grid for the tapa cloth and working on the rubbing plates.  Each group of students made at least two different plates and they shared them when it was time to start their rubbings using oil pastel.  Black paint was used when the rubbings were done to add detail.