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In this middle school Gothic Cathedral project students design their own Gothic Cathedral while learning about architecture. This project covers Common Core Standards for Math and History for grade 7 which can be found at the end of the lesson.
5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades – These examples were created by 7th grade students
In this middle school Gothic Cathedral lesson, students will design a Gothic Cathedral using the design elements found in this specialized type of architecture.
4 45 min lessons
I was inspired to make this project after I saw this idea: Click Here
This site also had great information: Click Here
Students watch videos about Architecture to prepare you for making the Gothic Cathedral. These can all be found on Youtube:
I am an Architect – The History of Architecture: Click Here
How to Become an Architect? CareerBuilder Videos from funza Academy.: Click Here
10 Strangest Buildings In The World: Click Here
Famous buildings in the world – famous structures of the world: Click Here
How High Can Skyscrapers Go? – Cheddar Explores: Click Here
Building Height Comparison: Click Here
Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica hosts stunning light shows that are pure magic: Click Here
We discuss what we found interesting in each of these videos.
Students watch one more video, this time focusing on Gothic Cathedral Architecture. This can also be found on Youtube:
Medieval Rose Windows: Click Here
Today you will begin to build your Gothic Cathedral.
Pass out the following handouts. These are critical to the authenticity of the design work of these majestic buildings. I believe it is important for students to have a frame of reference for their own drawings. Today you will just be looking at and beginning the framework.
I lead the students to answering the following questions:
Nine Cathedrals in France: I created this from a handout I found here – Click Here
In the following handout, find how many shapes reflect the number three. Point out how the Trinity is woven throughout all of the design work.
Rose Window Stock Photo: I created this from a handout I found here – Click Here
One the white board, draw an example illustrating the following steps they will take to create their structure. Ahead of time, pre-cut some heavyweight squares (5″x5″) for tracing. Tell them the main points that need to be included:
Using your square, find the center on the bottom of your paper. Trace the outside edges only of the square.
Then, move the square up to where you want to showcase your Rose Window. This can be anywhere in the middle area of the page within that square.
Continue tracing the sides until you find your Rose Window area and then complete the square.
Using an old CD, trace it inside of the 5″ square.
Next, you can either just use a ruler, or, have another pre-cut template that is approximately 3″ wide and however long you would like it. Again, this is a template, so I encourage them to move it along the building to create a long line. The area above the Rose Window should be taller. This can be either on just two sides, two rectangular sides and a triangular middle etc.
Since the Gothic Cathedral columns do not have any horizontal lines in them, extend these across from your square on either side. There should now be three levels to the building.
Pass out the handouts again for reference. Have them recall which elements are critical to their design work. Students begin designing their buildings. I offer some smaller round objects for them to trace for smaller windows they may want to add to their structure. While they are drawing, pull students aside to begin their Rose Windows.
Pre-trace a CD onto watercolor paper. Show students an example you make for reference. The key here is to create bright colors that are random and not overlapping. I even recommend that they use yellow first. Wait for it to dry before cutting it out. This way the paint can bleed outside of the circle so that no white shows when you finally cut it out. Your next step will sit on top of this colorful circle.
Trace around the CD on a piece of black construction paper. Students cut out the circle and fold it four times. Depending on your students, you may want to do this ahead of time for them. Show them where they are going to cut their (snowflake-style) window. Tell them NOT to cut along the curved edge of the pie shape.
Cut approximately five shapes out of the edges including most importantly, the corner tip which will serve as the center of the Rose Window. I show them that they can cut it round, or with spikes. You will need good teacher scissors for this part since the paper will be very thick.
Then unfold it. Sometimes students will find that their circle wasn’t folded tightly enough and some symmetry is off. Now is the time to go back cut those until it looks balanced.
Finally, glue the black part to the colored part. Make sure the watercolor is completely dry before you cut it out and before gluing.
Students continue to draw their designs and glue down their Rose Windows to their Gothic Cathedral. I love how dramatic the windows look against the simple black and white backgrounds! I push the students to create edging around their doors and windows for a more finished look.
7.6 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Medieval Europe.
8. Understand the importance of the Catholic church as a political, intellectual, and aesthetic institution (e.g., founding of universities, political and spiritual roles of the clergy, creation of monastic and mendicant religious orders, preservation of the Latin language and religious texts, St. Thomas Aquinas’s synthesis of classical philosophy with Christian theology, and the concept of “natural law”).
Draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.
Leah Newton has a Masters Degree in Education with a California Clear Credential for Multiple Subjects, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She has been teaching for over 20 years in public and private schools. Leah currently teaches art to Tk-8 graders at a parochial school, and at The Crocker Art Museum, in Sacramento, CA.
Love how detailed this lesson info is! I can’t wait to try it! Do you happen to have a higher resolution copy of the 9 cathedrals drawing? It’s too blurry on my end but it looks gorgeous.
Unfortunately that was the only one I was able to find online. Maybe at some point I will reproduce my own clearer version. The originator of that image was found on flicker using google images. I agree! It is a great resource. I also wish it was crisper. Thank you for reaching out.
