Hana Hou Ana I Nā Āmana: Patterns of Hawaiian Kapa Cloth

Introduce the concept of Kapa cloth and its significance in Hawaiian culture. Show students numerous examples of Kapa cloth through prints, videos, and/or images, and discuss the different shapes, repetitive
patterns, and designs that are used.
Showcase the process of creating Kapa cloth prints in smaller steps, using online videos and other available resources.
Explain to students that Kapa cloth is made from trees, and paper is also made from trees. Therefore, the final project of this lesson will involve creating their own Kapa cloth design using substituted materials (if they ask further questions, also mention time constraints, as authentic Kapa cloth takes a long time to create!).
Provide each student with one paper bag and scissors.
Instruct students to cut open and unfold the paper bag so that the three-dimensional object becomes a two-dimensional canvas to work on. They have the option to additionally trim the edges to shape the bag in a neater fashion.
Demonstrate and instruct students to crumple and uncrumple the paper bag several times so that wrinkles appear, creating a more fabric-like texture to the material.
Demonstrate painting and stamping techniques using any tools you have available: Traditional Paint Brushes, Stamps, Fingers, Templates, the sky is the limit!
Challenge students to utilize their creativity and paint their own Kapa-inspired designs to create their own art masterpiece.

Optional Take-aways & Variations:
Implement assignments throughout the school year that promote the utilization of Crayola's Colors of the World collection, such as coloring pages highlighting different cultures represented within your classroom.
Bring in borrowed artifacts from a museum lending collection, such as physical Kapa cloth or the crafting tools used in the Kapa making process.
As the video showcases a specific tool, demonstrate or pass around (if permitted) the artifact to help students make connections between what they are learning in the classroom and real-world applicability.
Depending on the age range of students or availability of time, you may choose to prep the paper bags in advance.
For my classroom, we utilized pre-cut plastic templates of shapes/patterns predominantly used on Kapa cloth, like the bamboo tools traditionally used. In addition, some classes had the opportunity to use traditional natural fiber brushes harvested from a Native Hawaiian plant.