Linear Progression - Visual Art 6 Lesson
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These unique, accordion style books are the final product of an interdisciplinary unit linking the students' studies in Social Studies, Science, Math, Language Arts, and Visual Art. Each student serve as the author, illustrator, and publisher of these one-of-a-kind folios. |
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The Renaissance - Visual Art 7 and 8 Lesson
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As pictured to the right, my seventh grade students from the first and second marking periods combined their efforts to re-create Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. Developed as an interdisciplinary unit, students researched and reported on several Renaissance artists and their respective painting techniques to familiarize themselves with the realistic and idealized art that existed during that period of time. Following their brief, but informative encounter with these masters of art, each child randomly chose a portion of the chapel to interpret and re-create. Using watercolors to emulate the luminescent effect typical of a 15th or 16th century fresco, the students carefully painted their interpretations onto proportionally measured and cut plates. All paintings were then skillfully arranged inside of the mock 'cathedral' showcase, and my Band and Chorus members recorded Gregorian chants to be played in the background as onlookers admired their feat. |
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This project provided the opportunity to utilize several instructional strategies (reciprocal teaching, guided practice, and reflection/critique) that challenged students to achieve higher standards. With the introduction of the Social Studies unit coupled with the technological references to the construction of these great cathedrals, every student found some part of the unit at which to excel -- the writing component, the painting component, the historical component, and the technological component. Click on the 'thumbnail' (left) to read an article in that appeared in the Delaware State News about the students' work. (Right) The Director of Instruction wrote this complimentary letter to myself and my students; click to view. |
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This lesson has been modified several times since its introduction in 1994-1995. I have incorporated the cross-curricular links in Web Quests and virtual field trips. My students have also researched and experimented with pigments, plaster, and egg temperas to create 'true' frescoes. Websites and search tools provided in Using the Internet for Curriculum Applications has fueled my recent experimentation with natural restoration products. The ability to locate a variety of information from quality sources provides me with another modification to this lesson. Students will be presented with the challenge to soil, test, and clean/restore their pieces after studying and conducting research about scientists and the art restoration process. This lesson shall be posted to this page to further 'track' the influence of my M.I. experience upon completion.
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Packaging - Visual Art 6, 7, 8 and Technology Education 8
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Without the influences from my numerous graduate experiences, my lessons and units with regard to packaging and containing structures would not have developed as extensively as they have. First produced as a challenge to 'wrap' something odd-shaped, the original Japanese Package lesson has emerged into a sophisticated investigation involving nearly every discipline. I have dedicated a separate page to accommodate the wealth and amount of information that I have obtained and modified. Please visit Evolution of a Lesson to examine this convergence of instructional research and effort. |
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