Prairie Style Art Glass and Geometry
Pam Householder
Monticello High School
Spring 2008
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division,
HABS, Reproduction number
[HABS PA,26-OHPY.V,1-93]
Students will be asked to look at Prairie Style Art Glass and then produce an original
piece from which they will calculate area and perimeter of the pieces.
Overview/ Materials/LOC Resources/Standards/ Procedures/Evaluation/Rubric/Handouts/Extension
Overview
Objectives
Recommended time frame
Grade level
Curriculum fit
Materials
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Students will:
 complete a Prairie Style Art Glass piece with
calculations of area and perimeter of the polygons.
 complete a 2-3 page report.
3-5 weeks
9th-12th
Can be used in any class covering area and perimeter of
polygons
 Large paper
 Computers
 Compass
 Protractor
 Colored pencils
 Rulers
Handouts:
Rubric
Stained Glass Construction Instructions/ Requirements
Research Handout
Area sheet
Perimeter sheet
Dana Thomas House sheet
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Illinois State Learning Standards
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Mathematics:
GOAL 7: Estimate, make and use measurements of
objects, quantities and relationships and determine
acceptable levels of accuracy.
 7.C. Select and use appropriate technology,
instruments and formulas to solve problems,
interpret results and communicate findings.
Stage I 5. Determine linear measures, perimeters,
areas, surface areas, and volumes of similar figures
using the ratio of similitude.
Stage H 5. Solve problems involving scale drawings,
models, maps, or blueprints.
Stage I 6. Calculate by an appropriate method the
length, width, height, perimeter, area, volume, surface
area, angle measures, or sums of angle measures of
common geometric figures, or combinations of common
geometric figures.
Stage G 7. Develop and discuss strategies to find the
area of combined shapes.
Procedures
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Day One:
 Distribute handout on Stained Glass Construction
and go over the requirements with the students.
 Have students research questions from handout on
the www.loc.gov website. Have media resource
person help the students navigate the site.
Day Two-Five:
 Have the students design a Prairie Style Glass piece
on paper at half scale, complete with color scheme.
Collaborate when possible with the art teacher and
local artists.
 Visit the Dana Thomas House in Springfield, IL and
have the students complete the worksheet.
Day Six:
 Show designs to the class and let the students
peer edit the designs for Prairie Style and focal
point.
 Have the art teacher or local artist join the
discussion if possible.
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Day Seven-Ten:
 Have students complete a full scale drawing from
the final cartoon.
 As students are drawing, complete discovery
discussions on formulas needed to complete area
and perimeter of all the figures found in the class.
 Use handouts for Area and Perimeter.
Day Eleven:
 Have students complete a two-three page report
described in the first handout.
This unit can be done over the course of a long period. I
have used it over three months and within one month. I
use it to replace the chapter of area and perimeter for all
polygons.
Evaluation
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


Extension
Evaluate the areas and perimeter calculated as the
students progress.
Evaluate the students based on the rubric.
Evaluate the students based on their reports and the
insight it gives about the formulas used and the
applications to real life.
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



Students can find other websites related to the topic
and share them with the class. Media Resource
Person will be very helpful with this.
Students can prepare a virtual tour of Frank Lloyd
Wright style art glass.
Students can design a glass piece that is stylized to
represent some form of nature, ie.a flower, a tree, an
animal, etc.
Students can design a glass piece using only figures
with more than four sides, and circles.
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Primary Resources from the Library of Congress
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Image
desc
citation
93. EAST CORNER OF
Library of Congress,
LIVING ROOM WITH
Prints & Photographs
TRELLIS SKYLIGHTS,
Division, HABS [or
EAST TERRACE IN THE
HAER or HALS],
BACKGROUND
Reproduction number
pa93
[HABS PA,26OHPY.V,1-93]
8. Historic American
Library of Congress,
Buildings Survey Cervin
Prints & Photographs
Robinson, Photographer,
Division, HABS [or
20 August 1963
HAER or HALS],
INTERIOR WINDOW
Reproduction number
DETAIL
HABS ILL,16-CHIG,33-8 [HABS ILL,16-CHIG,338]
6. INTERIOR,
Library of Congress,
CHILDREN'S
Prints & Photographs
PLAYROOM
Division, HABS [or
HABS ILL,16-OAKPA,5HAER or HALS],
6
Reproduction number
[HABS ILL,16OAKPA,5-6]
url
http://memory.loc.gov
/cgibin/query/r?pp/hh:@fi
eld(DOCID+@lit(PA
1690))
http://memory.loc.gov
/cgibin/query/r?pp/hh:@fi
eld(DOCID+@lit(IL0
039))
http://memory.loc.gov
/cgibin/query/r?pp/hh:@fi
eld(DOCID+@lit(IL0
317))
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Rubric
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Geometry
Mathematical
Calculations
100 points total
Linear ft.
50 points*
Area
50 points
25 points*
2-10
3-15
4-20
5-25
150 points total
Variety of Shapes
Completeness
Preliminary Cartoon
50 points*
Final Cartoon
50 points*
Final Drawing
50 points
Report
Math learned
Other information
150 points total
50 points
25 points
Changes
25 points
Analysis
50 points
Creativity
50 points*
Total
475 points
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Handouts
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Prairie Glass Construction
Paper is due on
Final Design will be due
Final Cartoon design due
Preliminary Cartoon due
The student will make a stained glass design with these requirements:
Max. Area 2 sq. ft. Min 1 sq. ft.
Outside shape must be a circle or a polygon. It may be an irregular shape
No glass piece can be smaller than 1/2 inch or larger than 6 inches on any side, unless
needed for construction by Mr. Corrie.
When circles are used, breaks in the surrounding glass must occur every 90 degrees or
less.
Design should incorporate the Prairie style--Geometric shapes and ideas. Realistic
designs should use all geometric shapes.
The student will have to complete as a result of the project:
A figure representing the total area of the piece. (add 25%)
A figure representing the total area of each color used, or type of glass used. (add 25%)
A figure representing the total linear footage of the connecting metal and border metal
needed, and how many 6 ft. strips will be required. (add 25%)
A cartoon using a 1/2 scale. -Hand drawn.
A final pattern-- hand drawn, with colors included. (glass types may be suggested)
Report--3-4 pages-- about what you used in the project, the problem solving used, and
the related math.
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Things to be considered when grading:
The designs will be scored by the teacher based on the following criteria: (this is not a
complete list)
Use of a variety of different shapes. The more variety of types of polygons the higher the
grade. For a grade above a C you must include at least one polygon with more than 4
sides or at least one circle.
Use of design elements following the Prairie Style.
Use of symmetrical/asymmetrical elements.
Accuracy of the calculations for the requirements.
Participation/ Completeness of the design.
Completeness of the Report.
Report must include:
What math you learned in this project? (at least a page)
What other things did you learn in this project?(1/2 a page)
What would you change in this project? (1/2 a page)
What would you have the teacher change in this project? (1/2 a page)
An analysis of how your design fits into the prairie style glass seen and discussed in this
class. This may be a compare and contrast issue in some cases. (at least a page)
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Stained Glass Project/ Research
Name ____________________
1. What is meant by Prairie Style?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. What geometric shapes are used?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What colors are particular to this type of design?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
4. How do the houses Frank Lloyd Wright designed fit into the surrounding
areas?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
5. What is special about "Falling Water"?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6. Describe the complexity of the houses and units that Frank Lloyd Wright
designs.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7. How was geometry used in the Ennis house?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
8. What structure is your favorite of the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings and
why?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
9. What famous museum did he create, and what are some of it's most
impressive features?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
10. What kind of glass is used in the Johnson headquarters?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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11. What factors influenced Frank Lloyd Wright?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
12. Which is your favorite glass piece from Frank Lloyd Wright's
structures?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University
Perimeter Form
Rectangles:
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Trapezoids ________________
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Squares
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Circles ________________
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Triangles
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Other ________________
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Parallelogram ________________
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Rhombi
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Total
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Area Form
Rectangles:
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Trapezoids ________________
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Squares
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Circles ________________
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Triangles
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Other ________________
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Parallelogram ________________
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Rhombi
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Total
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Dana Thomas House Springfield, IL
Name _________________________________
1. When did Frank Lloyd Wright work on the house? _________________________________
2. What color scheme did he use to decorate the inside of the house? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. What color scheme did he use to decorate the outside of the house? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who made the statue in the entrance to the house?
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. How many fireplaces were in the house?
_________________________________________________________________________________
6. What is the most prevalent shape in the windows and glass of the house?
_________________________________________________________________________________
7. List all of the different shapes used in the stained glass for the house.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________ _
8. Why is the house considered Prairie Style?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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9. What is one of the unique characteristics about the furniture in the house?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
10. Why are the dining room chairs different?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
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11. How many entrances are there to the house? _________________________________________
12. How much of the original house remains intact?
________________________________________________________________________________
13. List three different geometric designs found in the house and tell where you would find them.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
14. What is you opinion (you must have one) of the house compared to houses built today?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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15. What is one unique geometric design found in the house and where was it located?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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16. List three design elements used in the house to make living more convenient and how what did it
do?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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17. From going to the house, how can you see that Frank Lloyd Wright's understanding of Geometry
influence him?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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18. What was your most favorite design part of the house? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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19. What is your least favorite design part of the house? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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