Art Through the Ages
HOW IT WORKS
Art Through the Ages is a multimedia study of
poetry and art. In this program, children are introduced to various artists from the
Renaissance through Modern Art periods. Visiting related websites
and online museums enable the children to research the biographies
of these artists and their works. In addition to standard
art books and other library materials, CD-ROM encyclopedias provide the students
with useful information.
A cooperative learning setting is the focus of this program. The work
of a particular artist is introduced with the reading of a book
highlighting his/her life. Using laptop computers, the children visit sites
where they are able to further study the details of the featured work.
After analyzing the painting, the use of different media helps students
to develop an original work in the style of the artist being studied.
Searches are then made in anthologies and on the Internet for an
appropriate poem that highlights the theme of the artwork. For
example, an intensive study is done using Vincent van Gogh’s series
of paintings of sunflowers and rises. After the children analyze each
piece, they paint their own versions. The cooperative groups then
search for topical poems on www.google.com and compose their
own poems expressing their feelings about the flowers. The
poems are then published using a word-processing program.
THE STUDENTS
There were ninety children involved in this yearlong study. The children
were from third, fourth, and fifth grade classes. They come from a
variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. The program can
be adapted for other grades.
THE STAFF
Judith Golden and Catherine Dede have both taught in New York City
Public Schools for thirty years. They have been the recipients of
several District 20 Mini-Grants. Their third and fourth grade classes
work together as “Partners in Rhyme.” Both Judith and Catherine
have been staff writers for District 20 working on the “Reading
Counts” and “Making Connections” programs that connect children’s
literature to the mathematics and social studies curriculum s .
They have made presentations at staff development meetings. This
curriculum has been successfully implemented in their classrooms for
the past two years.
WHAT YOU NEED
Required materials for this program include a computer with Internet
access and word-processing programs. It would be ideal to have a
scanner and an overhead projector. Poetry anthologies, rhyming
dictionaries, Meet the Artist books, and painting supplies are a
necessity.
OVERALL VALUE
By participating in Art Through the Ages, students develop an
appreciation for the various styles and techniques of several artists
and poets. They also become skilled at researching and locating
artwork and background information using books and the Internet. |