Activities for November

November is here! During this month we are going to integrate Balance as one of the principles of design in our art work.  We are going to celebrate Native American Heritage Month and Thanksgiving by creating our own Native American Story Necklaces.  We are also going to work on more poster contests.

Native American
Story Necklaces

Lesson 1-3 / Dates

November 1 – November 21

Essential Question

What is the role of the Visual Arts in Ancient traditions?

These necklaces are one of the many rich crafts produced within the Native American culture that are unique to the United States. “Fetishes”, or story figures, and beads are made from clay to resemble those carved from shell or precious stones or introduced by traders from distant cultures. Each “fetish” or story necklace is designed to tell a tale by a storyteller with each creature representing a spirit or part of a legend.

Explore the history of daily life and use of native materials for adornment such as animal horns and claws, turtle shell, and deer hooves. Expand your study to include trading between regions and cultures to discover more sophisticated materials such as glass and metal beads, introduced in the 17th and 18th centuries from European, African, and Pacific traders.

V.A. Standards

Big Idea: The Arts reflect and document cultural trends and historical events

VA.2.H.2.2- Identify objects from everyday life that have been designed and created using artistic skills.
VA.3.H.2.2- Examine artworks and utilitarian objects, and describe their significance in the school and/or community.
VA.4.H.2.2-Identify differences between artworks and utilitarian objects.
VA.5.H.2.2-Describe the ways in which artworks and utilitarian objects impact everyday life.

Correlated L.A. Standards

LAFS.2.RL.1.3/2.5/3.7, LAFS.2.RI.1.1/1.2/2.5

LAFS.3.RL.1.1/1.3/3.7, LAFS.3.L.3.4.a&d

LAFS.4.RL.1.1/1.3/3.7, LAFS.4.L.3.5c

LAFS.5.RL.1.1/1.3/3.7 LAFS.5.L.3.4a&c

Vocabulary (Click on links for definitions)

Genre:  n/a

Artistic Style:   Decorative

Content/Meaning: Imaginary

Media/Technique: Sculpture

Design Elements:  Shape, Color, Form

Design Principles: Contrast, Symmetry, Balance 

Other:  Native American, Heritage, Symbolism 

Historical Art / Artist Reference

Native American Necklace

Visuals/Resources

1.     Visuals: Teacher samples

2.     Websites: Tribal Directory Native American Symbols

3.     Video: How to Make a Native American Necklace  

Activity

Create your own story neclace 

Materials

· Model Magic

· Markers

· Scissors

· Yarn

Steps

1) Use Model Magic to create your main elements
2) Use markers to trace and color shapes

3) Use a piece of yarn to finish your necklace

Home Learning

Due Date: November 22

1) Learn vocabulary words

2) Reading assignment: Native American Necklace, Native American Stories, Myths and Legends

3) Sketchbook: Practice drawing other totem pole animals

Art careers related to the unit

Jewelry Designer, Art Education, Fashion Design, Craft

Critique

Critique one of the story necklaces

Enrichment Projects

Explore symmetry and balance while creating native American inspired symbols

SDI Projects

Practice drawing lines and shapes and writing in cursive

Values Matter

Value of the Month

Click HERE to view a video about Citizenship

How can you display citizenship during art classes?

Reference: Values Matter