residency lesson topics

THE ART LESSONS

MOCHA’s art lessons for K-12 are developmentally appropriate and tied to the state’s Visual Arts Standards. Most lessons can be linked to one or more additional subject areas (i.e. Math, Science, Language Arts, etc.).

THE ALPHABET OF ART: Line, Color, Shape, Texture, Space

This curriculum is built upon the 5 building blocks of art – just as words are built using the letters of the alphabet, all visual art is created using one or more of these “letters”: Line, Color, Shape, Texture and Space. Students will explore the fundamentals of art through a variety of mediums and hands-on activities. These lessons allow students to master essential art concepts and skills.

CULTURE, CRAFT & TRADITIONS: An International Survey of Art

Enliven your science/social science curriculums! Students can make Inuit soap carvings, create Chinese scroll paintings or write their names in Egyptian hieroglyphics. They will use line, shape and pattern to draw Australian dreamtime animals, yarn to make Panamanian molas and create animal masks from Mexico, Africa and Native American cultures with oil pastels, papier-mache, feathers, beads and other decorative elements.

SHAPES, SYMMETRY and SCALE: Mathematical Connections

Have fun studying shapes, patterns, symmetry, and geometry! Students create mandalas, quilts and draw portraits to study symmetry. They sculpt with clay, build bamboo structures to explore volume and architectural elements. Students learn to draw to scale, using measurement and graphing techniques.

The ARTISTS SERIES: From Prehistoric to Modern Art

Explore the African Diaspora through the eyes of its artists, Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden and the traditional artisans of Africa. Women’s history comes alive by investigating the works of Louise Nevelson, Frieda Kahlo and others. Students learn the elements of line, shape, color, and composition through making art in the style of these masters. In addition the art lessons touch upon the diverse history, geography and culture of the artists. Longer residencies may focus on historical periods (e.g. Harlem Renaissance, the Mexican Muralist Movement).

A LITERACY MASTERPIECE: The Art of Bookmaking

Learn a variety of bookmaking techniques and how to use the art of the book to enhance language arts and social science curriculums. Students will construct accordion, origami, flag books and pop-up books. They will learn techniques in bookbinding, papermaking and cover making. The lessons can also include illustration techniques such as, photomontage, watercolor, pen and ink, pastels, cartooning, lettering design and printing.

TAKING UP SPACE:
3-Dimensional Art

Students will learn the fundamentals of sculpture and 3-dimensional design. Lessons will introduce techniques of carving, assemblage, sculpting, casting, found objects, modeling, etc. Using a broad range of media, students will utilize clay, soapstone, plaster, wood, wire, paper and metal. These lessons can enhance student learning of areas including math, science and environmental concepts (e.g. creating habitats, dioramas, etc.) and the social sciences (e.g. African carvings).

SCHOOL AS ART: Transforming Your Community Through Art

Your school is your canvas! MOCHA’s Teaching Artists will design and develop community-building art projects with your students. Projects can include, but are not limited to: murals, mosaics, sculptures, community gardens, posters, banners, and quilts. Then invite your community to come celebrate the completion of your project with a culminating event or exhibition!

THE PLAY'S THE THING: Expressive Arts

Students will focus on the arts of the theater. Lessons will include mask-making, costume design and puppetry. Students will learn about traditions of story-telling across cultures and have the opportunity to create their own modern-day stories and legends. Make a historical event, myths or stories from literature come to life!

A FOCUS ON…: A Media/Method Intensive

Delve deeply into the techniques, methods and practices of any one of the following or combination of: Painting/Drawing (charcoal, acrylic, tempera, oil pastels, etc.); 3-D Art (clay, carving, found objects, etc.); Printmaking (monoprint, block printing, stamping, etc.); Fibers (dyeing, printing, weaving, papermaking, etc.).

 

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