Explore Geometry with Abstract Imagery

EXPLORE GEOMETRY WITH ABSTRACT IMAGERY

EXPLORE GEOMETRY WITH ABSTRACT IMAGERY

Learning Description

Delve into the abstract world of Wassily Kandinsky! Allow your imagination to soar as you discover mathematical connections within Kandinsky images that explore the relationships between geometric shapes and polygons.

 

Learning Targets

GRADE BAND: K-1
CONTENT FOCUS: VISUAL ARTS & MATH
LESSON DOWNLOADS:

Download PDF of this Lesson

"I Can" Statements

“I Can…”

  • I can use geometry to create original artwork inspired by Wassily Kandinsky.

Essential Questions

  • How can you utilize visual images to learn about shapes?

 

Georgia Standards

Curriculum Standards

Kindergarten: 

K.GSR.8 Identify, describe, and compare basic shapes encountered in the environment, and form two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional figures.

Grade 1: 

1.GSR.4 Compose shapes, analyze the attributes of shapes, and relate their parts to the whole.

1.GSR.4.1 Identify common two dimensional shapes and three dimensional figures, sort and classify them by their attributes and build and draw shapes that possess defining attributes.

1.GSR.4.2 Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) and three dimensional figures (cubes, rectangular prisms, cones, and cylinders) to create a shape formed of two or more common shapes and compose new shapes from the composite shape.

Arts Standards

Kindergarten: 

VAK.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning

VAK.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.

VAK.CR.3 Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional art.

VAK.RE.1 Discuss personal works of art and the artwork of others to enhance visual literacy. 

VAK.CN.2 Integrate information from other disciplines to enhance the understanding and production of works of art. 

VAK.CN.3 Develop life skills through the study and production of art (e.g. collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication).

Grade 1: 

VA1.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning

VA1.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.

VA1.CR.3 Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional art.

VA1.RE.1 Discuss personal works of art and the artwork of others to enhance visual literacy. 

VA1.CN.2 Integrate information from other disciplines to enhance the understanding and production of works of art. 

VA1.CN.3 Develop life skills through the study and production of art (e.g. collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication).

 

South Carolina Standards

Curriculum Standards

Kindergarten:

K.G.4 Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes of different sizes and orientations using informal language. 

K.G.5 Draw two-dimensional shapes (i.e., square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, and circle)

Grade 1: 

1.G.4 Identify and name two-dimensional shapes (i.e., square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, and circle)

1.G.2 Combine two-dimensional shapes (i.e., square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, rhombus, and trapezoid) or three-dimensional shapes (i.e., cube, rectangular prism, cone, and cylinder) in more than one way to form a composite shape.

Arts Standards

Anchor Standard 1: I can use the elements and principles of art to create artwork.

Anchor Standard 2: I can use different materials, techniques, and processes to make art.

Anchor Standard 4: I can organize work for presentation and documentation to reflect specific content, ideas, skills, and or media

Anchor Standard 5: I can interpret and evaluate the meaning of an artwork.

 

Key Vocabulary

Content Vocabulary

Geometry - Branch of mathematics that deals with deduction of the properties, measurement, and relationships of points, lines, angles, and figures in space from their defining conditions by means of certain assumed properties of space.

Polygon - A closed plane figure with at least three straight sides and angles, and typically five or more.

Arts Vocabulary

Abstract - Process of art-making that has reference to the real world but is distorted or manipulated in some way. 

Non-objective - Process of art-making that has no reference to the real world; strictly 

composed of design elements. 

Contrast - Exhibiting unlikeness in comparison to something else. 

Line – One of the seven elements of art; a mark made by a pointed tool such as a brush pen or stick; a moving point

Shape (Geometric and Organic) – One of the seven elements of art; a flat, enclosed area that has two dimensions, length and width

 

Materials

  • Kandinsky prints of your choice 
  • Tag board (9” x 12” sheets) or drawing paper
  • Pencils 
  • Pastels, colored pencils, and/or tempera paint 
  • Wassily Kandinsky images

 

Instructional Design

Opening/Activating Strategy

  • Introduce this activity by having students look at an image of “Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles” by Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky.
  • Have students draw or write down as many shapes as they see in the artwork.
  • Students should turn to a partner and compare answers.

 

Work Session

Process 

  • Project Kandinsky’s Composition VIII and Red, Blue and Yellow (linked above in materials). Direct students to use math vocabulary and concepts to describe the shapes and polygons found within these abstract and non-objective masterpieces. Students should draw these images on sticky notes.
  • Using the sticky notes, direct students to identify shapes within these images according to size, shape, and color and sort according to the number of sides and angles.
  • Students will then create Venn diagrams that compare and contrast the two different Kandinsky prints. 
  • Next, direct students to generate their own abstract or non-objective design in the style of Kandinsky according to criteria set by the teacher. (For example, criteria might include designs housing a minimum of 10 circles that overlap, 5 straight lines, number of corners and sides, etc.) 
  • Students will then draw their shapes lightly on a tag board in pencil and embellish with bright contrasting colors using colored pencils, pastels, or tempera paint. 

Upon completion of these designs, ask students to identify shapes according to the number of sides, faces, and vertices within their compositions.  

 

Closing Reflection

Display students’ artwork on walls or place on tables/desks. Give students a “scavenger hunt” to find objects in each other’s artwork. Objects could include different types of shapes, lines, and angles.

 

Assessments

Formative

  • Students will recognize and identify two-dimensional shapes and figures within a given art piece. 
  • Students will sort objects within an art piece according to size, shape, and color. 
  • Students will identify shapes according to the number of sides, faces, and vertices. 
  • Students will discover the way artists compose abstract imagery.

 

Summative

  • Students will create an artwork inspired by Wassily Kandinsky that demonstrates their mastery of mathematical concepts including geometry, line, and angle.
  • Students will be able to identify types of shapes, lines, and angles in each other’s artwork.

 

Differentiation

Acceleration: Instead of using basic geometric shapes, artwork requirements should include students dividing and combining shapes to create new shapes (i.e. - circle into semicircle; two triangles into rectangle, etc.).

Remediation: 

  • Provide students with specific objects to look for in Kandinsky’s artwork. Partner students will identify shapes, lines, and angles.
  • Reduce criteria in artwork to focus on fewer shapes at a time.
  • Provide visuals with examples of each shape and its attributes for supporting students.

 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Wassily Kandinsky images

Types of shapes handout

*This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

 Ideas contributed by: Darby Jones and updated by Shannon Green and Katy Betts.

 Revised and copyright:  August 2022 @ ArtsNOW

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Exploring Adjectives Through Art and Creative Writing

EXPLORING ADJECTIVES THROUGH ART AND CREATIVE WRITING

EXPLORING ADJECTIVES THROUGH ART AND CREATIVE WRITING

Learning Description

Describing artwork can be a great way to help students use more adjectives!  Adjectives support students in using descriptive language to create interesting and unique stories. In this lesson students will have the opportunity to do both!

 

Learning Targets

GRADE BAND: K-1
CONTENT FOCUS: VISUAL ARTS & ELA
LESSON DOWNLOADS:

Download PDF of this Lesson

"I Can" Statements

“I Can…”

  • I can use adjectives to describe a piece of art.
  • I can use art as an inspiration to write a creative story.

Essential Questions

  • How can adjectives help me describe a piece of art? 
  • How can art stimulate my imagination and help me write a creative story?

 

Georgia Standards

Curriculum Standards

Kindergarten:

ELAKR6 The student gains meaning from orally presented text.  

ELAKW1 The student begins to understand the principles of writing. 

ELAKW2 The student begins to write in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature.  

ELAKLSV1 The student uses oral and visual skills to communicate.  

Grade 1:

ELA1R6 The student uses a variety of strategies to understand and gain meaning from grade-level text. 

  1. Recognizes and uses graphic features        

and graphic organizers to understand text. 

ELA1W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive and response to literature.

ELA1LSV1 The student uses oral and visual strategies to communicate. 

Grade 2: 

ELA2R4 The student uses a variety of strategies to gain meaning from grade-level text. 

ELA2W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature.  

ELA2LSV1 The student uses oral and visual strategies to communicate. 

Arts Standards

Kindergarten:

VAK.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.

VAK.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes. a. Create works of art emphasizing one or more elements of art and/or principles of design. 

VAK.CR.3 Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional art. e. Develop manual dexterity to develop fine motor skills. 

VAK.MC.3: Selects and uses subject matter, symbols, and/or ideas to communicate meaning. 

VAK.PR.1 Participate in appropriate exhibition(s) of works of art to develop identity of self as artist. 

Grade 1:

VA1.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.

VA1.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes. a. Create works of art emphasizing one or more elements of art and/or principles of design. 

  1. Create works of art that attempt to fill the space in an art composition.

VA1.CR.3 Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional art. 

  1. Explore spatial relationships.

VA1MC.3: Selects and uses subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning. 

VA1.PR.1 Participate in appropriate exhibition(s) of works of art to develop identity of self as artist.

 

South Carolina Standards

Curriculum Standards

Kindergarten:

K.W.MCC.3.1 3.1 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, to tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and to provide a reaction to what happened.

K.W.L.4.5 With guidance and support, use adjectives.

K.W.MC.1.4 Participate in conversations with varied partners about focused grade level topics and texts in small and large groups.

Grade 1:

1.W.MCC.3.1  Explore multiple texts to write narratives that recount two or more sequenced events, include details, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure. 

1.W.L.4.5 Use adjectives and adverbs.

1.W.MC.1.4 Participate in shared conversations with varied partners about focused grade level topics and texts in small and large groups

Arts Standards

Anchor Standard 1: I can use the elements and principles of art to create artwork.

Anchor Standard 2: I can use different materials, techniques, and processes to make art.

Anchor Standard 3: I can improve and complete artistic work using elements and principles.

Anchor Standard 4: I can organize work for presentation and documentation to reflect specific content, ideas, skills, and or media

 

Key Vocabulary

Content Vocabulary

Narrative - A story or sequence of events and experiences. 

Adjective - Words that describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence. 

Illustration - A picture or diagram that helps make something clear or attractive. 

Arts Vocabulary

Line - A mark made by a pointed tool such as a brush, pen, or stick; a moving point

Color - One of the seven elements of art; it is created by light. There are three properties of color: Hue (name), value (shades and tints), and intensity (brightness)

Shape - A flat, enclosed area that has two dimensions, length and width

Texture - Describes the feel of an actual surface

 

Materials

  • Picture of artwork 
  • Pencil 
  • Paper 
  • Colored pencils/crayons/markers

 

Instructional Design

Opening/Activating Strategy

Project an image. In pairs, have students identify 10 things that they see in the image. Have students switch pairs and identify 10 more things that they see. Repeat one final time.  Reflect with the students on how the task became more difficult with each round.  Point out some examples in rounds 2 and 3 in which students began to include more detail, describing the attributes of what they saw (using adjectives).

 

Work Session

Process 

  • Start the lesson by reviewing adjectives. Using the image from the activator, name a few adjectives that can be seen in the image. Focus adjectives around the elements of art - color, types of lines and shapes, and texture.
  • Show students a work of art or illustration from a story. The illustration should be vivid and colorful if possible (not abstract). This will help the students identify many adjectives to use in describing the image. 
  • Older students will write their adjective on a sticky note. The teacher will ask students to take turns sharing their adjectives that describe the artwork. Students will place the sticky note on the board next to the image of the artwork. They will share where they see the adjective in the artwork when it’s their turn to put their sticky note on the board. For younger students, have them take turns coming up to the board and pointing out where they see the adjective that they used to describe the artwork. The teacher can write these words on the board. 
  • Next, have the students close their eyes and imagine what is happening in the picture. Ask the students the following questions to guide their imagination. 
    • Who are the people or objects in the artwork? 
    • What are the characters doing in the image? 
    • Where are the characters going? 
    • When did this happen? 
    • Have the students focus on Who, What, When, and Why as they will have to use their creativity and imagination to write a creative story using the artwork as a starting point. 
  • Explain that students will be writing a story based on the artwork. Students will fill out a graphic organizer to plan their story. Set a minimum number of adjectives that students should include in their story to make the story more interesting and capture the readers’ interest. 
  • Students will then generate drawings of their own to illustrate their stories.

Closing Reflection

Have students engage in small group story time. Students will share their stories and illustrations with each other. Students should use adjectives to describe each other’s stories and illustrations.

 

Assessments

Formative

  • Check for understanding through student discussion of artwork using adjectives and explaining where students see them. 
  • Creative story planning graphic organizer

 

Summative

Students will demonstrate mastery of learning concepts through their illustrations and creative stories based on original artwork.

 

Acceleration: 

Gifted Modifications and Extensions:  Follow steps 1-3 of the original lesson and then finish the lesson with these modifications: Give students a series of adjectives and have them create their own piece of artwork. When done creating their artwork, have the students close their eyes and imagine what is happening in the picture. They will then write an imaginative writing piece answering the questions who, what, when and where in their writing.  

Remediation: 

Follow steps 1 and 2. Next, using a graphic organizer, work as a group to name adjectives that describe the picture. Invite students to use the adjectives as they write or dictate sentences about the picture. 

*This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

Ideas contributed by: Greg Sena. Modifications, Extensions, and Adaptations Contributed by:  Peggy Barnes, Candy Bennett, Lindsey Elrod, Jennifer Plummer, and Vilma Thomas.  Reviewed by Debbie Frost. Updated by Susie Spear Purcell and Katy Betts

Revised and copyright:  August 2022 @ ArtsNOW

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Famous African Americans and Visual Art 2-3

FAMOUS AFRICAN AMERICANS AND VISUAL ART

FAMOUS AFRICAN AMERICANS AND VISUAL ART

Learning Description

Explore the artist Jacob Lawrence and learn about his bold artistic style while studying the life of the famous American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.*. Document history by creating a series of paintings to illustrate the struggles and triumphs of Dr. King just as Jacob Lawrence documented the important events in African American history.

*This lesson can also be adapted to teach about the life of other important African American figures.

 

Learning Targets

GRADE BAND: 2-3
CONTENT FOCUS: Visual Arts, Social Studies & ELA
LESSON DOWNLOADS:

Download PDF of this Lesson

"I Can" Statements

“I Can…”

  • I can identify important events in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life.
  • I can visually represent important events in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life using the style of Jacob Lawrence. 
  • I can describe the style of Jacob Lawrence’s artwork.

Essential Questions

  • How can you use Jacob Lawrence’s style of painting to document the lives of historical figures?
  • Who is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and what are important events in his life?

 

Georgia Standards

Curriculum Standards

Grade 2:

Social Studies

SS2H1 Describe the lives and contributions of historical figures in Georgia history. 

  1. Martin Luther King, Jr. (civil rights)

 

ELA

ELAGSE2W2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.

Arts Standards

Grade 2:

VA2MC.3: Selects and uses subject matter, symbols, and/or ideas to communicate meaning.  

VA2CU.2: Views and discusses selected artworks.  

VA2PR.2: Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional works of art (e.g., drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media) using tools and materials in a safe and appropriate manner to develop skills.  

VA2C.1: Applies information from other disciplines to enhance the understanding and production of artworks. 

 

South Carolina Standards

Curriculum Standards

Grade 2:

Social Studies

Standard 1: Utilize the college and career skills of a historian to study the continuity and changes over time in the United States.

2.H.1 Identify and compare significant historical events, moments, and symbols in U.S. history.

 

ELA

WRITING - Fundamentals of Writing

Standard 2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

2.1 Explore print and multimedia sources to write informative/explanatory texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.

Arts Standards

Anchor Standard 1: I can use the elements and principles of art to create artwork.

Anchor Standard 2: I can use different materials, techniques, and processes to make art.

 

Key Vocabulary

Content Vocabulary

  • Narrative - A story or sequence of events and experiences
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - A prominent American civil rights leader, clergyman, and social activist who played a key role in the American civil rights movement

Arts Vocabulary

  • Line - One of the seven Elements of Art; a mark made by a pointed tool such as a brush, pen or stick; a moving point

 

  • Shape - One of the seven Elements of Art; it is a flat, enclosed area that has two dimensions, length and width; artists use both geometric and organic shapes
  • Color - One of the seven Elements of Art; it is created by light; there are three properties of color: Hue (name), Value (shades and tints), and Intensity (brightness)
  • Primary Colors - A hue from which all other colors can be mixed: red, yellow, and blue

 

  • Secondary Colors - A hue mixed from two primary colors, such as orange, green, and purple
  • Neutral Colors - Black, white, gray, brown

 

Materials

 

Instructional Design

Opening/Activating Strategy

  • Display one of Jacob Lawrence’s paintings on the board. 
  • Without giving students any information about the artwork, ask students to write a short description of what they think is going on in the painting. 
    • Students should explain what they see in the image that helped them come to this conclusion.
    • Allow students time to share with a partner.
    • Ask a few students to share their ideas with the class.
  • Tell students the name of the artist, name of the painting, and a description of what is going on. 
    • Ask students how their interpretations are similar or different to the actual description of the painting.

 

Work Session

  • Tell students that they will be painting in the style of Jacob Lawrence in this lesson.
    • Lawrence is among the best-known twentieth century African American painters. 
    • Lawrence concentrated on depicting the history and struggles of African Americans.  
    • Lawrence used tempera paints. 
    • Direct students’ attention toward Lawrence’s use of vivid color, expressive style, flat shapes, use of entire space, and the series format to convey a story. 
    • Optional: 
      • Ask students to take turns coming up to the board and outlining the major shapes in different paintings.
      • Provide printed copies of one of the paintings; have students outline the major shapes in the painting.
    • Ask students how the description and the painting are connected just as an illustration in a book is connected to the text on the page.
  • Tell students they are going to become artists like Jacob Lawrence. As a class, they will create a series of paintings that depict the life of Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. 
    • Use a graphic organizer to sequence the important events in his life. 
    • Next, instruct the students to do a simple sketch or illustration of each event.
    • Instruct the students to use pencil to make a sketch of their assigned event before painting. 
    • Remind students to:
      • Introduce their topic (the event) at the beginning of the paragraph 
      • Use facts and definitions that they learned from the lesson to inform the reader about the event
      • Describe how they showed those facts in their painting
      • Include a conclusion sentence
    • Read a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and discuss the life of Dr. King with the class. 
    • Arrange students into groups of two to three students. Assign each group an event in Dr. King’s life. 
    • Students will create a painting of the event in the style of Jacob Lawrence (remind students of Lawrence’s use of vivid color, line and geometric shape). 
    • After students finish painting, they will write a description of their painting on an index card describing what part of Dr. King’s life is pictured. 
  • Have students arrange the paintings in chronological order.
  • Display the paintings as a series that illustrates the life of Dr. King.   

Classroom Tips: Cover students’ work area with butcher paper. Have students share paint and water supply on their work area. Fill 2 buckets with water--empty one by filling student water cups 1/3 full, then use it to dump dirty water in; the second bucket will be your fresh water supply as needed. 

 

Closing Reflection

  • Allow students time to engage in a gallery walk to view all of the artworks. 
  • Facilitate a class discussion around how each group portrayed the event in the style of Jacob Lawrence.

 

Assessments

Formative

Teachers will assess students’ understanding by observing students’ discussion of the style of Jacob Lawrence’s work and students’ identification and visual depiction of important events in Dr. King’s life.

 

Summative

CHECKLIST

  • Students can identify important events in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life.
  • Students can visually represent important events in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life through painting using the style of Jacob Lawrence.
  • Students can accurately describe and write about an event in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life using relevant details through a well-organized paragraph.

 

Differentiation

Acceleration:

After reading the biography, students will research other events in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. using internet or library resources. Students will pick one event in his life to depict through a picture in the style of Jacob Lawrence. Once each student has created a picture, the student will write a paragraph describing the picture and the event. They will work together to create a chronological/numeric timeline to represent the events in the life of Dr. King.

Remediation:

ESOL Modifications and Adaptations: To prepare the ESOL students for the painting assignment, the ESOL teacher will read to students Story Painter: Life of Jacob Lawrence by John Duggleby and show how a series of paintings can tell a story. The ESOL teacher should also utilize photographs and images to help student comprehension when reading the biography of Dr. King (such as Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King).

Special Education Modifications and Adaptations: Read an age appropriate book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (such as Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King). The teacher will provide cards with pictures and text that describe the life of Dr. King based on the book of choice. Students will work as a group to sequence the cards in story order. Provide geometric shaped templates and straight edges for students to use as they draw pictures in the style of  Jacob Lawrence. Students will accompany drawings with one or two sentences that they write or dictate.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • “Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life in Pictures.” CNN, www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/04/us/martin-luther-king-jr-cnnphotos/. Accessed 26 June 2023.

 

*This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

Ideas contributed by: Whitney Jones. Modifications, Extensions, and Adaptations Contributed by:  Peggy Barnes, Candy Bennett, Lindsey Elrod, Jennifer Plummer, and Vilma Thomas.  Reviewed by Michael Miller. Updated by Whitney Jones Snuggs and Katy Betts.

Revised and copyright:  June 2024 @ ArtsNOW

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Gotta HAND It To Our Artists K-1

GOTTA “HAND” IT TO OUR ARTISTS

GOTTA “HAND” IT TO OUR ARTISTS

Learning Description

In this lesson, students will create a “self-portrait” to show who they are in a unique way! Rather than a standard self-portrait with traditional facial features, students will trace their hand adding colored patterns on the inside. These patterns will be inspired by the art of the Ndebele ([NDI] + [BEL] + [EE]) people to represent what makes them unique. Students will then add writing to explain their “self-portrait”.

 

Learning Targets

GRADE BAND: K-1
CONTENT FOCUS: VISUAL ARTS, ELA,
LESSON DOWNLOADS:

Download PDF of this Lesson

"I Can" Statements

“I Can…”

  • I can create artwork inspired by the artwork of the Ndebele people.

  • I can use visual art to tell others about myself

  • I can use the elements of line, shape, and color to create a unique artwork.

  • I can explain my artwork through writing.

Essential Questions

  • How can art be used to tell about oneself?

  • How are lines, shapes, and colors used to create art?

 

Georgia Standards

Curriculum Standards

Kindergarten:

ELAGSEKW2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.

 

ELAGSEKSL1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

 

ELACCKSL5:  Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.

 

Grade 1:

ELACC1W2:  Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.

 

ELAGSE1SL1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

 

ELACC1SL4:  Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.  

 

ELACC1SL5:  Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

 

Arts Standards

Kindergarten:

VAK.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.

 

VAK.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.

 

VAK.CR.3 Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional art.

 

VAK.CN.1 Investigate and discover the personal relationships of artists to community, culture, and the world through making and studying art.

 

VAK.CN.2 Integrate information from other disciplines to enhance the understanding and production of works of art. 

 

Grade 1:

VA1.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.

 

VA1.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.

 

VA1.CR.3 Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional art.

 

VA1.CN.1 Investigate and discover the personal relationships of artists to community, culture, and the world through making and studying art.

 

VA1.CN.2 Integrate information from other disciplines to enhance the understanding and production of works of art.

 

 

South Carolina Standards

Curriculum Standards

Kindergarten

WRITING - Meaning, Context, and Craft

Standard 2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

2.1 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts that name and supply information about the topic.

 

COMMUNICATION - Meaning and Context

Standard 1: Interact with others to explore ideas and concepts, communicate meaning, and develop logical interpretations through collaborative conversations; build upon the ideas of others to clearly express one’s own views while respecting diverse perspectives.

1.2 Practice the skills of taking turns, listening to others, and speaking clearly.

1.4 Participate in conversations with varied partners about focused grade level topics and texts in small and large groups.

 

Grade 1

WRITING - Meaning, Context, and Craft

Standard 2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

2.1 Explore print and multimedia sources to write informative/explanatory texts that name a topic, supply facts about the topic, and provide a sense of closure. 

 

COMMUNICATION - Meaning and Context

Standard 1: Interact with others to explore ideas and concepts, communicate meaning, and develop logical interpretations through collaborative conversations; build upon the ideas of others to clearly express one’s own views while respecting diverse perspectives.

1.2 Practice the skills of taking turns, listening to others, and speaking clearly.

1.4 Participate in conversations with varied partners about focused grade level topics and texts in small and large groups.

 

Arts Standards

Anchor Standard 1: I can use the elements and principles of art to create artwork.

Anchor Standard 2: I can use different materials, techniques, and processes to make art.

Anchor Standard 4: I can organize work for presentation and documentation to reflect specific content, ideas, skills, and or media

 

 

Key Vocabulary

Content Vocabulary

  • Ndebele Tribe - A Bantu ethnic group in Southern Africa, primarily found in Zimbabwe and South Africa. They are known for their distinctive artistic traditions, particularly their colorful beadwork and house painting

Arts Vocabulary

  • Elements of Art - The fundamental components that artists use to create visual works
  • Line - An element of art that defines space, contours and outline
  • Shape - A two-dimensional enclosed object
  • Color - An art element with three properties: hue, value and intensity; reflected or absorbed light; warm colors (red, orange, yellow); cool colors (blue, green, violet)
  • Self-Portrait - A visual representation of oneself
  • Pattern - One of the principles of design; the repetition of specific visual elements such as line or shape
  • Value - The lightness or darkness of a color

 

Materials

     

     

    Instructional Design

    Opening/Activating Strategy

    • Using an image of Ndebele artwork, ask students to work collaboratively to engage in the See, Think, Wonder protocol. 
      • First, students will identify what they see in the image. Emphasize that they should make objective observations about the artwork (i.e. lines, colors, shapes, etc.). 
      • Next, ask students to identify what they think about the image. Emphasize that students should be creating inferences using visual evidence from the image. 
      • Finally, ask students what they wonder about the image. 
    • Facilitate a class-wide discussion around students’ observations, inferences, and questions.

     

    Work Session

      • Discuss the importance of a handprint, thinking about how each hand print is unique, just as each person is unique. 
      • Ask students to choose three things about themselves that make them unique.
        • Allow students to pair share; model for students how to take turns.
        • Ask several students to volunteer to share one thing about their partner that makes them unique.
      • Tell students that they will be using the art of the Nbedele people to inspire a “self-portrait” that shows what makes them unique.
        • Have students follow along with this chant saying: 

      Ndebele, Ndebele,  

      With their hands they made their art! Colors, lines and shapes,  

      These are the elements from which to start!
      Rhythm-ong ©

      • Show students on a map where the Ndebele people are from–primarily South Africa and Zimbabwe.
      • Facilitate a brief discussion about the art of the Ndebele Tribe, looking closely at their colored patterned artworks. 
        • Direct students to describe the types of lines used to create patterns. 
        • Then, ask students to describe the color combinations that the artists use.
      • Pass out paper. Demonstrate to students how to trace their hand with a pencil onto their paper. Students will go over their hand outline in black marker. Assist students with this task as needed.
      • Using black markers, students will create a line design inside the hand. Project an image of the art of the Nbedele people to remind students of the types of pattern and lines they used in their art.
      • Tell students to select three colors–one for each characteristic that makes them unique. 
      • Students will then begin the coloring process. Tell students to color in the spaces between the black lines with the colors they selected, paying close attention to each individual shape created. Encourage students to “paint” with their markers by coloring their “brush strokes” in the same direction.
      • Students will then embellish their art with oil pastel blending techniques using a cool (green, blue, violet) or warm (red, orange, yellow) color palette. They will go around the hand with their darkest value color first (red or violet), medium value (orange or blue), then lightest value (yellow or green) to create a “glow”. 
      • Finally, students will write complete sentences (as age appropriate) to tell about each color and why they used it.

       

      Closing Reflection

      • In small groups or with a partner, students will present their artwork to their classmates. 
        • Students should share how the artwork of the Ndebele people influenced their pattern choices.
        • Students should share the colors they used and why they selected them.

      Assessments

      Formative

      Teachers will assess student understanding through student discussions of the art of the Nbedele people; students’ use of line, shape, color and pattern; and students’ ability to select colors that have personal meaning.

       

       

      Summative

      CHECKLIST

      • Students can use the elements of line, shape, and color to create a unique artwork. 
      • Students can use the characteristics of the artwork of the Ndebele people to inspire their artwork.
      • Students can use visual art to tell others about themselves.
      • Students can explain their artwork through writing.

       

       

       

      Differentiation

      Acceleration: 

      • Have students add expressive words or vocabulary words into the artwork. These words can be hidden or obvious and give each piece a more individual feel. 
      • Teachers can also tie this lesson in with Australian Aborigines art or prehistoric handprint art.

      Remediation: 

      • Allow students to orally explain their artwork rather than writing about it. 
      • Provide sentence starters for students.
      • Provide a hand outline template for students to use rather than tracing their own hands.

       

       ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

       

      • Classroom Tips: Using markers as opposed to paint, makes this lesson very doable in any classroom setting. The success lies in teaching your students how to appropriately “paint” with markers keeping their “strokes” going in the same direction.
      • Images of Ndebele artwork
      • Khan, Gulshan, et al. “Ndebele Art.” Getty Images, www.gettyimages.com/photos/ndebele-art. Accessed 26 June 2023.

      *This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

      Ideas contributed and updated by: Debi West and Katy Betts

      Revised and copyright:  May 2024 @ ArtsNOW

       
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