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3rd Grade: Dream-Catchers
Mythology: Aborigine / Native American / Inuit
Students explore some of the oldest ongoing traditions of art in the world from the sacred mythologies of Aborigine, Native American, and Inuit indigenous peoples who listen to the rhythms, movements and inner spirits of animals and celestial beings, alike, to explain the origins of life and how all life is inherently connected. Through 'the dreaming', the human world and spiritual world are brought together in ceremonial customs that have been passed down for generations through oral storytelling, rock and wood carvings, body painting, sand art, weaving and textile art. Students are immersed in the symbolism behind many animal spirits from the Aboriginal Emu (creator of the sun), to the Native American Owl (keeper of secrets, wisdom, and foresight), to the expressive Inuit masks of Arctic animals (wolf, walrus, owl, crooked beak-bird), who become locked in a ceremonial tribal dance that strives to keep a child's spirit wild against the taming wishes of its inducting members. Students experiment with a variety of art mediums (printmaking, water diluted India inking, paper collage, and clay sculpture), as they make bold patterns with dots, lines and shapes; show contrast with complementary color palettes; create deep space with silhouetted images and India ink; and use mixed media expressively to give texture and character to their 3-dimensional animal masks.
The all-grade level culminating art project turns a child's mythological scrutiny inwards. After hearing the folk tale, The Elephant and the Blind Men, that reminds us that our own perceptions are, in-part, mythical, students create meaningful mandalas that emphasize the 'specialness and uniqueness of Self' at its center. Using personal, symbolic treasures placed at the heart of their art piece, students then trace radial-symmetric patterns onto tie-dyed, translucent gauze-fabric through carbon sheets, then overlay gold fabric-paint to create an embossed effect that reveals an overall visual balance and unity. Each child's mandala represents a constructed mythology that stems outwards from the 'SELF' to the roots of family and community beyond.
*The Gallery Artwork below sequentially takes you through the Third Grade art course described above. Students explore indigenous cultural traditions that fuel imagination, rhythm, and expressive power within their own artwork...
Artwork shown: 3rd grade students from Marengo Elementary; Arroyo Vista Elementary
3rd Grade: Dream-Catchers
Mythology: Aborigine / Native American / Inuit
Students explore some of the oldest ongoing traditions of art in the world from the sacred mythologies of Aborigine, Native American, and Inuit indigenous peoples who listen to the rhythms, movements and inner spirits of animals and celestial beings, alike, to explain the origins of life and how all life is inherently connected. Through 'the dreaming', the human world and spiritual world are brought together in ceremonial customs that have been passed down for generations through oral storytelling, rock and wood carvings, body painting, sand art, weaving and textile art. Students are immersed in the symbolism behind many animal spirits from the Aboriginal Emu (creator of the sun), to the Native American Owl (keeper of secrets, wisdom, and foresight), to the expressive Inuit masks of Arctic animals (wolf, walrus, owl, crooked beak-bird), who become locked in a ceremonial tribal dance that strives to keep a child's spirit wild against the taming wishes of its inducting members. Students experiment with a variety of art mediums (printmaking, water diluted India inking, paper collage, and clay sculpture), as they make bold patterns with dots, lines and shapes; show contrast with complementary color palettes; create deep space with silhouetted images and India ink; and use mixed media expressively to give texture and character to their 3-dimensional animal masks.
The all-grade level culminating art project turns a child's mythological scrutiny inwards. After hearing the folk tale, The Elephant and the Blind Men, that reminds us that our own perceptions are, in-part, mythical, students create meaningful mandalas that emphasize the 'specialness and uniqueness of Self' at its center. Using personal, symbolic treasures placed at the heart of their art piece, students then trace radial-symmetric patterns onto tie-dyed, translucent gauze-fabric through carbon sheets, then overlay gold fabric-paint to create an embossed effect that reveals an overall visual balance and unity. Each child's mandala represents a constructed mythology that stems outwards from the 'SELF' to the roots of family and community beyond.
*The Gallery Artwork below sequentially takes you through the Third Grade art course described above. Students explore indigenous cultural traditions that fuel imagination, rhythm, and expressive power within their own artwork...
Artwork shown: 3rd grade students from Marengo Elementary; Arroyo Vista Elementary
Project 1: Printmaking-- Aboriginal Storytelling: How the Sun Was Created
Project 2: Watercolor / India Ink-- Gustav Klimt-inspired Mystical Owls of the Night
Project 3: Clay Sculpture--Inuit Animal Spirits
Project 4: Watercolor / Ink--Mandalas
