Art From Around the World
Overview
In this course students will explore and research famous artists from around the world. Students will examine the techniques used by these artists and the meaningful relationship between art and history. They will also have the opportunity to use these techniques to create their own works of art. In addition, students will review and discuss the artist(s) of the week and their own work of art using their visual piece and the academic language taught in class.
Standard(s) addressed:
1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades:
3.0 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
Understanding the Historical Contributions and Cultural Dimensions of the Visual Arts
Students analyze the role and development of the visual arts in past and present cultures throughout the world, noting human diversity as it relates to the visual arts and artists.
Grading
Students will be graded according to the 6 Character Pillars: Respect, Fairness, Responsibility, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, and Caring. They will be prepared to learn, exhibit good behavior, have required materials, etc. Students' conduct in these classes will be assessed and reflected in their report cards.
Updates
#1: Before beginning the lesson, the students and teachers (including Ms. McHenry) participated in a bonding activity. We all found out something new about the 21 members of our group. Next, students identified our world’s 7 continents and 4 oceans. Each child practiced saying our key words orally with a group as well as individually. We discussed the importance of geography and how it will help us when we identify our artists from around the world.
#2: After quickly reviewing our world’s 7 continents and 4 oceans, the students turned their attention to Europe. Specifically, I asked students what they knew about France, Claude Monet, and Impressionism. The students were incredibly knowledgeable as they spoke about escargot, baguettes, Paris, the Eiffel Tower, frog legs, creme brulee, and croissants! A few of our students had even visited France and a few others actually have Monet paintings in their homes. We viewed a slideshow of Monet’s work, and the students began to create their landscape by taping a bridge and sketching their lily pads, flowers, bushes, trees, and ponds. Next week, we’ll paint our pictures.
#3: The students painted beautiful pictures and incorporated many of Monet’s subjects such as: lily pads, flowers, bushes, trees, ponds, and sunsets. They also used many of the same colors as Monet. Next time, the students will get a presentation from a docent of the San Jose Museum of Art.
#4: Ms. Isabel Kennedy, a volunteer from the San Jose Museum of Art, came today to give a presentation. A Los Altos resident, Ms. Kennedy gave a wonderful presentation called “Looking at Art”. She presented six different paintings and reviewed color, shape, texture, and lines. Each student took home a free museum pass to be used for him/her and his/her entire family!
#5: The students were excited to remove the tape from their Monet paintings. All of their work looks fabulous! After taking pictures, they examined a website created by the French government about the Lascaux caves. Next, they created their own cave paintings and had a class discussion about the materials early humans used to draw and color their cave art.
#6: We looked at and discussed various slides from Georges Seurat. Most of the students knew about Pointilism but few had used a pencil eraser and tempera paint to create their own works of art. Pictures will be up soon and we’ll begin creating our own works of Asian art. This class marked the end of the first trimester. Even though we only have this class once a week, we have accomplished some beautiful work and will continue working hard.
#7: Today, the class created a bubble map for Asia. We also painted beautiful cherry blossom art after looking at and analyzing photographs from Japan. Next week, we’ll look at Chinese dragons.
#8: Each student created his or her own unique dragon puppet (which doubles as a mask). We talked about the significance of dragons in the Chinese cultures. We will finish this project after the break.
Thanksgiving break (no class)
#9: All of our dragon masks were completed today. The students worked really hard and pictures will be posted soon. The attention to detail was amazing! After completing the masks, the students discussed the use of bamboo in the Asian culture and began working on panda drawings. Stay tuned!
#10: We studied the Giant panda and Red panda today. Our students also finished the initial stages of their Chinese bamboo/panda paintings and will complete them this week. I took a bunch of pictures and will post them soon.
#11: Our panda pictures were completed and we also completed an entire watercolor painting modeled after Indian and Pakistani architecture. Pictures will be posted soon. We have one more class left. Due to the limited amount of time, the students will complete another project about “rangoli” and review what we’ve done the past months.
#12: We had our last class today. The students finished rangoli pictures and took home their watercolor designs. I will miss everyone! Special thanks to Mrs. McHenry for all her help and support!
Global Citizenship (grades 1-3) “Art from Around the World”
Ms. Samantha Lyons (Associate Teacher for 6th grade)
Friday (11:00-11:50)
