Fifth Grade Art

Instructor: Kim Lysne

Curriculum Map, Class Page

By studying the arts and crafts of a culture, it helps us gain a better understanding of what the world is made of. Art can visually tell the history of cultures, places and events throughout the world. As a teacher having traveled throughout North America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, I am able to provide the students first-hand accounts and artifacts of the many cultures we study throughout the Western Hemisphere and Oceania.

Students examine Pre-Columbian artifacts to learn about the way of life in an ancient culture and then create their own clay vessels. They use traditional folk art to learn more about the people who make them and create folk art pieces of their own. After studying the work of 20th century contemporary Mexican muralists, students work as a team of artists to create murals that convey messages about world issues. They look at the symbolic and utilitarian art of Native Americans and use their traditional techniques to create contemporary pieces. By studying various American landscape artists, students learn about American history and how natural landscapes have changed over time. As they study the arts and crafts of Oceania, they look to the Aboriginal cave drawings and paintings to learn about the lessons that have been passed down from generation to generation. They also look at weavings and wood carvings of the indigenous Maori culture of New Zealand in order to better understand their way of life. Students inform others about what the world is made of by creating a public service announcement that examines the condition of the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage site.

Guiding questions:

• What can art teach us about the world?
• What are the various purposes for creating art?
• How does time and place influence the visual characteristics of art?

Focus areas:

• Expose students to a wide variety of media and techniques through craft and fine art.
• Explore various types of art: utilitarian art, folk art, fine art, religious art.
• Gain confidence in using art as a means of communication.