The students will develop their own self-portrait based on the art that they will be exposed to in this unit. They will learn to read paintings by identifying the various symbols that artists use to get across their views of the American Dream. The students will explore depictions of not only individuals but also families and determine what these paintings say about the values of Americans throughout history. The culminating activity for the unit will involve being able to read their own self-portrait and presenting a written explanation of their project to the rest of the class. This unit is an elementary art unit focusing on the art of the American West and the myth and the legend of the American Cowboy.
Myths offer wonderful opportunities to study our history.
Selected paintings will serve as the primary vehicle by which students explore the adventure, folklore, and myth of the American West. The unit includes six lessons that involve learning experiences where students create their own artwork that is symbolic and reflective of this cowboy culture and the lure of the West. Students will view slides, dress up in costumes, listen to western music, conduct research, create a timeline, and design a class quilt focusing on the American West and the Cowboy. This curriculum unit will provide opportunities for my kindergarten class to view, discuss and critique art that depicts various times in African American History. I've selected artwork that will appeal to young children and that will imprint images of African American culture on their minds.