Based on the premise that familiarity with art forms of other cultures can broaden students' cultural understandings, the teaching guide presents instructions for creating two West African art forms--batik and tie-dye. The unit is intended as the basis of a three and one-half week minicourse for students in art courses in grades eight and nine. The guide was developed at an interdisciplinary summer workshop for teachers on African curriculum development. Six lessons focus on African stereotypes, African culture, African textile dyeing processes, traditional West African art forms, tie-dye and batik, and relationships among shape, space, pattern, and color. Students are involved in a variety of activities, including viewing and discussing films and slide shows, designing fabric, working with maps and globes, comparing African and American art forms, and experimenting with tie-dye and batik. Also included in the guide are evaluation criteria, vocabulary worksheets, background information on tie-dye and batik, reading assignments, and supplementary activities based on the reading assignments. (DB)