UNIT COVER PAGE
Bremen Dist. 228 Department:
School District:
Mechanics and Tools Used in Floral
Unit Title: Design
Science
Course:
Grade Levels:
Horticulture
11-12
Topic Areas:
Time Frame:
3-5 days
Date Created:
6-18-07
Date Modified:
Unit Designer(s):
Link to State Standards
26.B.4d
Demonstrate knowledge and skills that communicate clear and focused ideas
based on planning, research, and problem solving.
Summary of Unit
A successful floral design requires the use of appropriate tools and mechanics. Students will
explore the use of containers and types of foundations and how they affect the overall design.
Students will also be exposed to the numerous tools used in floral design.
Resources
Textbooks: The Art of Floral Design; Hunter, Norah
Floriculture: Designing & Merchandising; Griner, Charles
Variety of tools, containers, and foams
Key Words
Anchor pins
Anchor tape
Container
Floral clay
Floral foam
Floral preservative
Florist shears
Floral tape
Hot glue
Mechanics
Pick machine
Z:\Horticulture\UbD Units\Mechanics & Tools of Floral Design\Mechanics and Tools.doc
Picks
Pruning shears
Ribbon shears
Wire
Wire cutters
1
STAGE 1: IDENTIFY DESIRED RESULTS
Enduring Understandings
Students will understand that
using the proper tools and mechanics will produce a stronger floral design.
the type of container chosen for a design can enhance or detract from the overall piece.
Essential Questions
How do you know what type of foam to use for your floral design?
What are the implications of not soaking floral foam properly?
How might our knowledge of container characteristics influence a floral design?
What are my strengths and weaknesses in understanding mechanics and tools of floral
design?
What are the implications of not using the proper tools and mechanics in a design?
Knowledge and Skills
Students will know
floral design tools
types of containers
types and uses of foams
types and uses of adhesives
Students will be able to
identify different types of floral foam
select appropriate container for a design
prepare floral foam properly
select appropriate cutting tools per job
demonstrate use of floral adhesives
Students will be familiar with
Z:\Horticulture\UbD Units\Mechanics & Tools of Floral Design\Mechanics and Tools.doc
2
STAGE 2: DETERMINE ACCEPTABLE EVIDENCE
What evidence will show that students understand?
Required Assessments (brief description)
Summary of container characteristics (Application)
Other Assessments (brief description)
Floral foam preparation practice
Self assessment – floral tools (“I Know, I Know”)
Floral tool worksheet
Practicum
Quiz
Unit test
Z:\Horticulture\UbD Units\Mechanics & Tools of Floral Design\Mechanics and Tools.doc
3
PLAN LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND INSTRUCTION
What sequence of teaching and learning experiences will equip students
to develop and demonstrate the desired understandings?
Learning Activities
W
How will you ensure that all students know where they are headed in the unit, why they are
headed there, and how they will be evaluated?
Share performance task and importance of having a strong foundation in mechanics and
tool usage
H
How will you hook students at the beginning of the unit?
Prepare a poorly made corsage, boutonniere, or bouquet that will fall apart when you put it
on or carry it around
Elicit a discussion about what went wrong with the design
E
What events will help students experience and explore the big idea and questions in the unit?
How will you equip them with needed skills and knowledge?
Analyze containers used in designs based on their characteristics and influence
Practice choosing containers for a design and defend choice
R
How will you cause students to reflect and rethink? How will you guide them in rehearsing,
revising, and refining their work?
Peer review of choosing containers and tools
Complete self-assessment
E
How will you help students to exhibit and self-evaluate their growing skills, knowledge, and
understanding throughout the unit?
Complete performance task
T
How will you tailor and otherwise personalize the learning plan to optimize the engagement and
effectiveness of ALL students, without compromising the goals of the unit?
In the performance task, students may change the theme of the wedding
O
How will you organize and sequence the learning activities to optimize the engagement and
achievement of ALL students?
Open unit with the hook activity
Share the performance task
Identify characteristics of containers
Practice container selections for fictitious projects
Notes on tools and their use; complete strategy
Peer review/quizzing on mechanics (tools)
Complete self-assessment
Complete performance task
Tool practicum
Unit test
Z:\Horticulture\UbD Units\Mechanics & Tools of Floral Design\Mechanics and Tools.doc
4
Essential Questions at Topic Level
Use the six facets of understanding to generate possible essential questions for the topic of
your three-circle audit (curricular priorities).
Explanation
Interpretation
What are the
implications of
not soaking
floral foam
properly?
How do you
know what type
of foam to use
for your floral
design?
Application
How might our knowledge of
container characteristics
influence a floral design?
(Topic Area)
Mechanics & Tools
Used in Floral
Design
Empathy
Perspective
Self-Knowledge
What are my strengths and
weaknesses in understanding
mechanics and tools of floral
design?
Z:\Horticulture\UbD Units\Mechanics & Tools of Floral Design\Mechanics and Tools.doc
What are the
implications of not using
the proper tools and
mechanics in a design?
5
Student Performance Task
Unit: Mechanics & Tools Used in Floral Design
Task: Application
Course: Horticulture
Time Frame: ½ period
Overarching Understanding:
 Students will understand that artists use a variety of tools and technologies to
convey meaning in their work.
Enduring Understanding:
 Students will understand that the type of container chosen for a design can enhance
or detract from the overall piece.
Essential Question:

How might our knowledge of container characteristics influence a floral design?
Vignette:
As a wedding planner, it is your job to make recommendations for flowers, dresses,
cake, etc in order to meet the needs of the bride and groom. They wish to have a fairy
tale wedding but can’t decide on the reception table centerpieces. In this challenge you
need to identify the characteristics of a container that speaks to the fairy tale theme.
Write a brief summary that can be given to the florist describing what you are looking for
in a container. Be sure to talk about texture, shape, size and color.
Standard:
You will be graded on the following scale:
 Appropriate choice of the container that equates with fairy tale
 Detailed description of characteristics
Z:\Horticulture\UbD Units\Mechanics & Tools of Floral Design\Mechanics and Tools.doc
6
Performance Task Blueprint
Unit:
Mechanics & Tools Used in
Floral Design
Topic Area:
Type: Application
Time Frame: ½ period
Goal
To identify the characteristics of the containers to be used on the
reception tables.
Role
Wedding planner
Audience
Florist
Situation
Bride and groom want a fairy tale wedding. Describe the type of
container you would recommend that will convey this feeling. Be sure
to talk about the texture, shape, size, and color.
Product or
Performance
Write a brief summary to the florist describing what you are looking for
in a container.
Standards
Appropriate choice of container that equates with fairy tale
Detailed description of characteristics
Z:\Horticulture\UbD Units\Mechanics & Tools of Floral Design\Mechanics and Tools.doc
7