Helayne M. Holland
Page 1 of 10
Frank Lloyd Wright, ‘The Professional Architect’
Introduction: I incorporated the study of Frank Lloyd Wright’s
architecture with the geometry unit of the Standards of
Learning, -Patterns, Functions and Relationships: 4.20, 4.21 and
4.22 since Wright’s architecture identified and reflected
geometric shapes, it seemed logical to tie these two units
together. I proceeded to redesign the geometry unit by
beginning with the concrete, then moving to the abstract. I
introduced my students to geometry through hands-on
activities, using pattern blocks, geoboards, pentominoes and
solid geometric shapes. The first few weeks of school consisted
of activity-based math lessons. As the students “played” with
the pattern blocks, they began to compare and contrast,
observe and discover. These discovery concepts were jotted on
the chalkboard, butcher paper and in students’ learning logs.
These math learning logs provided a special place for the
students to record their findings, take notes and write
impressions or feelings. The appropriate math book pages were
interspersed throughout the activities. Students worked on
these together in cooperative groups of four, sharing their
findings and results in whole-group sessions. The students were
especially involved in the curriculum integration and extension
activities.
Helayne M. Holland
Page 2 of 10
ART
SCIENCE
SOCIAL STUDIES
LANGUAGE ARTS
MUSIC
PHYSICAL ED
Making design patterns,
geometric robots,
tessellations, congruent
artwork, geometric
mosaics
Predicting, observing,
recording and graphing
geometry in nature
Wright’s architecture,
making a timeline,
designing a 3-D shape and
sketching the façade of a
house
Journal-writing, poetry,
reading about Frank Lloyd
Wright and note-taking
Listening to patterns of
music, drawing to music
Playing games, working
with puzzles, observing
geometric patterns in
games
GOAL: To understand the profession of architecture and its greatest
American contributor, Frank Lloyd Wright.
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The students will:
1.know different styles, aspects, forms, and media of architecture
2.understand aspects of Frank Lloyd Wright’s life, that he is considered
to be America’s greatest architect and become familiar with his
contributions
Helayne M. Holland
Page 3 of 10
Frank Lloyd Wright
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/flw/images/dflw.jpg
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/flw/images/dfarm1.jpg
Helayne M. Holland
Page 4 of 10
WIDE ANGLE VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST OF HOUSE AS SEEN FROM CREST OF
LOWER FALLS (THE CLASSIC VIEW OF FALLINGWATER)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/displayPhoto.pl?path=/pnp/habshaer/pa/pa1600/pa1690/color&topIm
ages=570317cr.jpg&topLinks=570317cv.jpg,570317cu.tif&title=87.%20%20
WIDE%20ANGLE%20VIEW%20FROM%20SOUTHWEST%20OF%20HOUSE%20
AS%20SEEN%20FROM%20CREST%20OF%20LOWER%20FALLS%20(THE%20C
LASSIC%20VIEW%20OF%20FALLINGWATER)%20%3cbr%3eHABS,%20PA,26OHPY.V,1-87&displayProfile=0
Helayne M. Holland
Page 5 of 10
Frederick C. Robie House, 5757 Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, Cook
County
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/displayPhoto.pl?path=/pnp/habshaer/il/il0000/il0039/photos&topIma
ges=061029pr.jpg&topLinks=061029pv.jpg,061029pu.tif&title=3.%20%20H
istoric%20American%20Buildings%20Survey%20Cervin%20Robinson,%20P
hotographer,%2018%20August%201963%20EXTERIOR%20FROM%20SOUTH
WEST%3cbr%3eHABS,%20ILL,16-CHIG,33-3&displayProfile=0
Helayne M. Holland
Page 6 of 10
Pope-Leighey House, 9000 Richmond Highway (moved from Falls
Church, VA, Mount Vernon vicinit, Fairfax County
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/displayPhoto.pl?path=/pnp/habshaer/va/va0400/va0437/photos&top
Images=161400pr.jpg&topLinks=161400pv.jpg,161400pu.tif&title=HABS,%
20VA,30-FALCH,2-4&displayProfile=0
Helayne M. Holland
Page 7 of 10
Frank Lloyd Wright spent many of his influential childhood years in Wisconsin where he
was born in 1867. Lake Geneva Hotel was the first built hotel by the prominent architect
in his home state. There were earlier hotel projects but this was the first designed and
built in Wisconsin. The Lake Geneva Inn as it was known was completed in 1912.
Wright would go on to design and produce more than fifty structures in Wisconsin
including Taliesin, his own home. Wright's famous landmark hotel, the Imperial Hotel,
would be completed ten years later in Tokyo, Japan.
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3g00000/3g08000/3g08100/3g08
164r.jpg
Helayne M. Holland
Page 8 of 10
INTRODUCTION: Today, we will learn about architecture. We are also
going to learn about a man who is considered to be America’s greatest
architect. His name is Frank Lloyd Wright.
TASK: Students will explore the visual art of architecture and the creative
thinking between nature and the architectural work of Frank Lloyd
Wright.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:
1. lead a discussion on architecture
2. supervise students in a computer activity
3. guide students during a presentation of their findings on the
computer.
PROCESS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
students will divide into groups
students will look at the websites on the computer
students will complete the handout
students will present answers from activity to the class and a copy
to the teacher
RESOURCES:
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/flw/
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/flw/flw08.html
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/103_flw.html
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/tri004.html
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/flw/bio.html
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/flw/photo.html
Helayne M. Holland
Page 9 of 10
Student Worksheet
Scavenger hunt
Where was Frank Lloyd Wright born?
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/flw/bio.html
Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most important and imaginative
architects of the 20th century. How long did his architectural career last?
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/flw/bio.html
Name five buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed.
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/flw/photo.html
The construction of the Robie House had gone very quickly. How many
months did it take Wright to have the house built?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robie_House
What was Frank Lloyd Wright’s theory for architecture?
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/flw/quotes.html
Helayne M. Holland
Page 10 of 10
EVALUATION:
Teacher will supervise for proper use of computer and software.
Teacher will assist each group to use their resources and teamwork to link the
websites for their answers.
Teacher will evaluate with the students answer sheets and responses during
discussion presentation.
CONCLUSION:
Questions to be considered:
How do you feel about architecture?
What were some of Mr. Wright’s contributions to this profession?
Do you feel like he is worthy of the title America’s greatest architect?
Did you enjoy learning about this profession?
What skills and knowledge do you need to become an architect?
How was Frank Lloyd Wright both an artist and a leader?
EXTENSIONS:
The students will design their own Wright-style buildings.
In depth thematic study which takes the idea of the Prairie from ecosystem to
architecture.
The students will develop original haiku pieces reflective of an understanding of
the inter-relationships of man, nature and architecture in the work of Frank Lloyd
Wright.
Students “brainstorm” words or details that come into their minds as they view
specific images of Wrights’s buildings, and his concept of beauty and
relationships to nature.