Eighth Grade Zentangles

Eighth graders learned about Zentangles, complex and multi-step patterns that are designed to be combined and to flow together.   Zentangles are a great unit because of how accessible the patterns are to all interest and ability levels. Each student is able to choose their own level of challenge and their own media, and it allows for a great deal of individualization. At the start of the unit, I showed students the art historical precedent of highly embellished, organic patterns:  

Illuminated Letters

Islamic Calligraphy

Art Nouveau Architecture

For this project, students used three official tangles from the official webpage, then designed and employed three original tangle designs.

 Sharpie on black paper

Sharpie on black paper 

 Sharpie and origami paper on black paper

 Sharpie and gold card stock

 Watercolor and sharpie

 Oil pastel scratch art

 Oil pastel scratch art and 4H pencil

Metallic Sharpie on black paper

Oil pastel scratch art and metallic sharpie

Metallic sharpie and oil pastel

Metallic and regular Sharpie 

       Sharpie and Watercolor