Lesson Three: Making Petroglyphs

Instructional Objectives	Time Required	Advance Preparation	Materials	Vocabulary
Procedures	Activities	Evaluation	Homework and Extensions	Student Samples

Instructional Objectives: Students will research the art carved into rock (Petroglyphs) and create their own Petroglyphs of symbols and subjects common to the Native Americans of North America.
Visual and Performing Arts: Visual Arts Content Standards
3.0 Historical and Cultural Context
3.2 Identify and describe various fine, traditional, and folk arts from historical periods worldwide.

Time Required: Approximately two one hour periods.

Advance preparation and prerequisite knowledge and skills: Some Internet sites on Petroglyphs for the teacher and/or students to explore in preparation for creating their own:
http://net.indra.com/~dheyser/index.html A good site with large photos
http://crystalinks.com/Petroglyphs.html Definitions and pictures, common symbols
http://wcp-nm.com/rockart/ Petroglyphs of Los Lunas, Valencia County, New Mexico
http://my.execpc.com/~jcampbel/ Private photos of Petroglyphs

Materials and resources required: Have examples from various resources on common symbols or objects used in Petroglyphs (natural elements such as animals, sun, stars, etc.). Cut orange and brown construction paper into 6-inch squares. One cotton swab (such as Q-tips) is needed for each student. Small, low-sided cups (such as margarine tubs) filled with no more than ½ inch of bleach will be used to draw the Petroglyphs. Fine-tipped black felt markers.

Vocabulary:
Petroglyph: A carving in rock by ancient people. Thought to have been used to celebrate a special occasion or record a special event or for story telling. (petro = rock; glyph = carving)

Procedures: Show examples of Petroglyphs and discuss possible motives for their creation. Point out the subject matter of Petroglyphs is often animals or nature. Discuss primitive drawing style. Have students go to above websites and sketch Petroglyphs. Students will then create original Petroglyphs with pencil and paper until they have two or three objects. These look best when only one object or animal is centered on the square. A border and/or simple decorations within the subject are permissible. Using the cotton swab dipped in bleach, have students draw their petroglyph. The bleach will turn the construction paper white where it is applied lightly. When the bleach is dry, use black, fine-tipped felt pens to outline all the white lines.

Activities:
Students will:

• Identify and describe Petroglyphs
• Sketch Petroglyphs from internet sites
•  http://archaeologic.com/Petroglyphs_and_rock_art.htm Links to various photos
  http://thesierraweb.com/sightseeing/petro.html Petroglyphs of Bishop, California
  http://geogweb.berkeley.edu/GeoImages/BainCalif/subjects/NativePetroglyphs.html Three photos with minimal explanation
  http://kahiko.com/petroglyph.htm Hawaiian Petroglyph symbols
• Create their own primitive style art by drawing with bleach on construction paper

Evaluation: Assess student understanding of Petroglyphs during class discussion and review their drawings for use of animal or natural subjects and primitive drawing style.

Homework: Create a story or give directions to a hunting ground or water source using a series of symbols that primitive people might have used.

Extension: Make cave paintings on paper using natural materials (tea, berry juice, boiled onion skins, ground plants, etc.)

Student Work Samples: Click here to see student Petroglyphs.

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