History & Culture
"Signs of the Times"
Projected # 0f Days: 5 days, 45 min periods
Targeted Student Group: 7th Grade
Overview
This lesson introduces students to the
70’s culture and the art of Peter Max
whose work was a definite sign of the
times. With the understanding that art
should send a message, students will
be signing words that personal
feelings of today. Commentary on current events become an important aspect of the art
lesson. This art process will help students begin to realize that their art can send a
message as well as please our eyes with a pretty picture. Composition, color scheme and
painting techniques are also discussed as areas to consider in the creation of art work.
Big Idea: Social and Political Influences in Art
Key Concepts:
· Communicating with more than words.
· Pictures can speak louder than words.
Essential questions:
· What word describes your world today?
· What graphic image can you design to help illustrate the “signed” word?
Unit Objectives
· After reading the Scholastic Art magazine about Peter Max, Examine works of art that have a utilitarian purpose (communication). 1.1.6
· Students will reflect on how works of art by Peter Max represent ideas, issues and events in society. 1.5.6
· After generating several thumbnail designs, students will incorporate various elements and principles in the creation of art. 1.2.8
· After experiencing careful contour line tracing, students will identify the subtle variation of line contour in a human hand. 1.2.8
Materials and Vocabularies
· 9” x 12” paper, pencils, erasers, tempera paint, brushes, water cups, paper towels, pre-printed
“signed” alphabet hands, Scholastic Art Magazine, Feb. 2006
· Communication, graphic design, symbolism, contour, balance, repetition, contrast, variety, positive/negative space, Peter Max, hippie, psychedelic
Process of the lessons
Step 1
Introduce the lesson by reading Scholastic Art Magazine (Peter Max). After reading the magazine, discuss how the artist’s works illustrated the time period. Brainstorm as a class words that might indicate the thoughts and feelings of today’s society. Direct students to choose a word that tells a story today. Distribute printed hands of the signed alphabet. Ask students to find the letters that spell out their word. Discuss how letters might be arranged on the paper and demonstrate how to trace each hand carefully.
This lesson introduces students to the
70’s culture and the art of Peter Max
whose work was a definite sign of the
times. With the understanding that art
should send a message, students will
be signing words that personal
feelings of today. Commentary on current events become an important aspect of the art
lesson. This art process will help students begin to realize that their art can send a
message as well as please our eyes with a pretty picture. Composition, color scheme and
painting techniques are also discussed as areas to consider in the creation of art work.
Big Idea: Social and Political Influences in Art
Key Concepts:
· Communicating with more than words.
· Pictures can speak louder than words.
Essential questions:
· What word describes your world today?
· What graphic image can you design to help illustrate the “signed” word?
Unit Objectives
· After reading the Scholastic Art magazine about Peter Max, Examine works of art that have a utilitarian purpose (communication). 1.1.6
· Students will reflect on how works of art by Peter Max represent ideas, issues and events in society. 1.5.6
· After generating several thumbnail designs, students will incorporate various elements and principles in the creation of art. 1.2.8
· After experiencing careful contour line tracing, students will identify the subtle variation of line contour in a human hand. 1.2.8
Materials and Vocabularies
· 9” x 12” paper, pencils, erasers, tempera paint, brushes, water cups, paper towels, pre-printed
“signed” alphabet hands, Scholastic Art Magazine, Feb. 2006
· Communication, graphic design, symbolism, contour, balance, repetition, contrast, variety, positive/negative space, Peter Max, hippie, psychedelic
Process of the lessons
Step 1
Introduce the lesson by reading Scholastic Art Magazine (Peter Max). After reading the magazine, discuss how the artist’s works illustrated the time period. Brainstorm as a class words that might indicate the thoughts and feelings of today’s society. Direct students to choose a word that tells a story today. Distribute printed hands of the signed alphabet. Ask students to find the letters that spell out their word. Discuss how letters might be arranged on the paper and demonstrate how to trace each hand carefully.
Step 2
Having the word to be “signed” in mind, invite students to sketch some ideas of backgrounds. Students should refer to images pictured in magazine to serve as inspiration. Talk about the time period and how Peter Max’s work was a commentary of the time. After a satisfactory solution is created, students may begin to draw out their designs behind the signed hands. Discuss the importance of a color story. Review various color story solutions. Students add color.
Having the word to be “signed” in mind, invite students to sketch some ideas of backgrounds. Students should refer to images pictured in magazine to serve as inspiration. Talk about the time period and how Peter Max’s work was a commentary of the time. After a satisfactory solution is created, students may begin to draw out their designs behind the signed hands. Discuss the importance of a color story. Review various color story solutions. Students add color.
