Unit 3: Stories
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Artist: Thomas Hart Benton & Diego Rivera
This studio had us to tell a story of an issue that arises in school. I chose to depict what I wish every child's first day at a new school would be. I have seen so much transferring between schools and I know it is scary for smaller kids especially if the children are not welcoming. I would use this activity in my classroom if I need children to maybe illustrate their feelings to me on anything. If we are learning about a new topic in math, I could have them draw how they feel in math and include what I, as the teacher is doing, what they as the student is doing or feeling, and what their classmates are doing. This studio lesson could also be used in science. I could have them to draw a scene that happen while they were doing an experiment. They could draw what was the best part of the experiment or the part of the experiment that surprised them and how they reacted.
Artist: Faith Ringgold
This studio had us to pick and work with a story from our favorite children's book. I chose "Oh The Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. I totally loved this book when I was a child, but I think I loved this story so much because of the colorful and eye catching illustrations. I never payed too much attention to the actual words or stories. I revisited this book on my last day of my senior year of high school when my literature teacher read it to our class. After her reading this story to us, we all had tears in our eyes. The words to this story is so profound and I feel as though they are so true. This story teaches life lessons that life is full of ups and downs, choices and that life is not perfect but it all works itself out. This studio had us to work with crayon resist with watercolors. I used crayons for most of the piece, but I also used watercolors toward the top around the words. I also made my border using lots and lots of colors to symbolize how colorful the artwork in the book. This studio lesson could definitely be used in a literature class. Students can create an art piece as a final project at the end of the year to illustrate their favorite story they read during the school year. This studio could also be used in social studies to illustrate a story or event in history that we are studying in the classroom.
Artist: Jean Shin
This studio was about found objects. We were instructed to bring in a found object, tell a story in which you switch its purpose, and show that in our finished project. I chose a pink ribbon. I felt that its original purpose was to hold or bind things together, but its new purpose is to decorate. I chose to decorate an old gatorade bottle with the ribbon and sequins. I cut the plastic bottle in order to weave the ribbon in, out, and around it. I also made bows for the bottom and a big bow for the top. The story I create from this studio is recycling. Instead of throwing away bottles each day, you can reuse them. This also inspired the thought of people buying metal and/or decorated bottles in order to cut down on trash and saving the environment. I honestly do not think I would use this studio in my classroom. This was a difficult studio for college students to understand so I think the thought process that is needed will be too much for elementary students. I think it may be do-able if students bring in a found object and for writing I could have them to create and write a story about their found object.