Lesson
Overview:
Though a series
of pictures, readings and activities, the students will investigate
many of the relationships that contribute to the look and design
of decorative arts objects. The influence of local and distant
cultures will be illustrated and discussed. Two sub-themes central
to this will unfold. First, these influences can create "threads"
of borrowed ideas that can span time or distance. Second, even
when local craftsmen borrow ideas from other cultures, they are
usually re-interpreted and re-invented with local esthetics woven
into the new look of the objects. This lesson focuses on comparing
the results of different social and cultural influences on the
objects, and on comparing the same types of objects with each
other. .
Learning
Objectives:
After completing
this unit, students will be able to:
- Describe
ways that cultures (communities) have individual and often unique
art approaches.
- Describe
how the art of one culture may be influenced by the art of other
cultures through historical knowledge or trade.
- Identify
ways that even "copied" art will change as it is made
in the new culture.
- Describe
ways that different materials are used in different cultures
because of availability or cost of importing.
- Identify
the influences of other cultures' decorative styles on the decorative
arts in the Grandeur of Viceregal Mexico.
Preparing
To Teach This Unit:
This unit
is designed to be a multidisciplinary unit for elementary age
students in grades 1 through 4. It combines both art and art history
activities with social studies knowledge and skills. The activities
emphasize critical thinking and problem solving proficiency. Language
arts activities using both reading and writing competencies are
also included.
Time
Frame For This Unit:
This unit
consists of five sections, but it can be tailored to fit the school
or class's schedule. Many of the sections have sub-categories
that can be delivered alone or with other unit information.
Assessment:
(link
opens new browser window)
A sample rubric is provided
and may be used to evaluate students' work or as a model for designing
you own rubric. Links to online rubric creation tools are also
provided.
Ceramics
Are All About Us
Uses
for Containers (link opens new browser
window)
Historic
Vase Shapes (link opens new browser window)
Materials
(link
opens new browser window)
Vase Decorations
(link opens new browser window)
Activities
(link opens new browser window)
Standards
for this Unit (link opens new browser
window)
Examples of web search strategies used with this unit:
For ceramics,
searches were made on the following types of words, and combinations
of them. (For instance, searches on ceramics, and antique ceramics
brought in some different hits, as did Mexican art and early Mexican
art.) Searches of web sites for dealers of antique arts were fruitful,
but their contents will be changing periodically.) For ceramics
in general, searches were made on keywords: ceramics, pottery,
porcelain, minerals, mineralogy, glaze, firing, throwing. For
Greek information: Greek, vase, amphora, Art History, antiquity,
classical, neoclassical. For Chinese, Chinese, clay, Ming, "blue
and white," antique, museum, dynasty, early, et cetera.
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