Olive ART! Do You???

Art on the Radio

(Compliments of Dr. Marilyn Stewart)

With a partner or 2 have students imagine that they are the hosts for a “live” radio show that takes people to local galleries and museums [or to look at specific works of art].

The “listeners” cannot see what you see so you will have to be very descriptive. Make them feel like they are there. Offer interpretations of what it might mean/ be about, and ultimately make them want to come see the show/work.

Don't forget to name your show!

Originally Posted 12/12/2014

Green Screen Tour Guide

Using the Do Ink Green Screen app, students could insert themselves in front of a work of art and take viewers on a tour highlighting key parts.

This would be really great for exploring a landscape or something like Monet’s garden. Students could practice describing in detail and making up feel like we are in the space.

Originally Posted 12/12/2014

Quick Questions

These questions could be asked or put together on cards or a worksheet to be answered in writing. It’s all about asking the write questions. I have been teaching long enough to know if I ask what do you know about Edgar Degas? Someone will surely raise their hand and say” he’s an artist”. Yep, you’re right (It’s kind of like asking “how was your day at school and expecting an answer other than good) now moving on to better questions...

Artist Questions:

If the artist we’re to walk in the room right now, what would you want to ask them about this artwork?

How is this work similar/ different from other works you have seen by this artist?

What can you learn about the artist from this work of art?

If the artist invited you to help with the painting, what suggestions would you make?

Historically Thinking: (Many questions adapted from questions compliments of Dr. Marilyn Stewart)

When do you think this artwork was created, why?

Where in the world do you think this might have been made?

How was life different then from now?

How might this painting be different if it were painted in the United States?

What do you think this work would have meant to the people who lived at the time it was made?

How is this different from how we view the work today?

Critically looking:

What are the physical characteristics of the art?

What cultural traditions are depicted?

What might this artwork be about?

Higher Order Thinking as Encouraged by the Common Core:

How would you rank the importance of these artworks?

How would you improve this artwork?

How is this artwork connected to ____________?

Originally Posted 12/12/2014

Mini Saga

(This activity compliments of Dr. Marilyn Stewart)

When looking at a work of art, investigate it thoughtfully, looking at the detail, subject, materials, space, ect.

Next write a story (an epic tale) about how the work came to be in exactly ___ words.

Some themes for the saga might be…

-how did it get to where it is?

-how it was made?

-why it was made?

-who it is of?

-how it affects our life?

Originally Posted 12/12/2014

The "Art" of Poetry

Select an grade level appropriate poetry style and have students write a poem or riddle that explains what the work is about.

Some poem styles to choose from might be…

Acrostic:

Use the name in the artwork or artist to tell the reader more about it / him or her.

Ex. based on Georgia O’Keefe

Girl painting in the desert

Enlarged and Exaggerated

Opening of a flower

Ripe

Gross bones no more

In full bloom

Abstracts of nature

Alphabet:

Write a word or statement, or descriptor, for each letter of the alphabet, based on a work of art.

*This could make a great art making lesson where each letter is translated into a page of an alphabet book based on the artist or artwork.

EX. based on Roy Lichtenstein’s "Mermaid"

Photo taken by Michele Comp: Storm King, 2014

A shore it sits

Boat out of water

Colors glistening

Dancing on the water

Eager to swim away …

Cinquain:

Looking at a work of art or a body of work describe and interpret it using the five line cinquain poem format…

Title (noun) - 1 word
Description - 2 words
Action - 3 words
Feeling (phrase) - 4 words
Title (synonym for the title) - 1 word

Ex. based on the sweet treats of Wayne Thiebaud

Bakery

Sweet Delicious

Timing Tempting Tasting

Melts in your mouth

Cakes

Senses:

Looking at a work of art or a body of work describe and interpret it though the 5 senses describing what it looks like, feels like, sounds like, smells like, and tastes like.

Ex. Based on Rene Magrittes “The Postcard”

The Postcard looks like a gloomy shadow cast over a dull mountain landscape

The Postcard feels like clammy hands in my pockets

The Postcard sounds like an eerily still day only hearing the ringing of my own ears

The Postcard smells like sweet like apple

The Postcard tastes like the dry inside of my mouth

Explorer Poems:

Inspired by “In 1492…” students will write their own poems using rhyming to explore a work of art.

Ex. Based on Hanri Matisse's "Harmony in Red"

In 1908 a woman did not stay up late

early to bed early to rise, setting the table each fruit by size

Trees of white, chair in the light

Prepared in advance, so that she might be able to dance.

Photo compliments of: http://www.wikiart.org/en/henri-matisse/harmony-in-red-1908

Shape Poems:

Looking at a work of art describe and interpret it though a simple shape. For example if looking at Munch’s “The Scream” one might write around the head, hands, and body describing the emotion, feeling, and meaning of the painting.

These poem forms and more, fit for elementary students can be found at Poetry for Kids: http://www.kathimitchell.com/poemtypes.html

Making “Sense” of Art

While looking at a work of art or a body of work have students connect the work to their 5 senses.

This could be done on a note card, handout, or on a device. Have students write what the artwork looks, smells, sounds, tastes, and feels like or if you wish have the students pretend they are the artwork and write what they see, smell, hear, taste, and feel.

For this one I used the ArtSet App.

Original photograph from: http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/de-saint-phalle.shtml