SPUSD's Elementary Visual Arts Program
The Art of Myths
2014-2015 Visual Arts Course, grades TK-5
Created by Sarit Swanborn
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Enduring Understanding: Encompassing every culture and civilization throughout history, Myths represent a sacred blueprint for how a group of people came to be, what deities and heroes they worshiped, and what pivotal historical events shaped their lives. Passed down for thousands of years through generational storytelling, visual and performance art, Myths remain sacred today because they connect us to our ancestral past as preserved, remarkable examples of rituals, customs and traditions that we hold dear in our continual search for meaning.
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Course Objective: Immersed in the art of visual storytelling, children harness the power of myths and metaphors to unlock imagination and self-expression. Each grade level will explore well-known myths and symbolic artwork from two distinct cultures—using these cherished examples as a springboard for creating their own mythical tales that explore archetypal aspects of Self: truth, deceit, heroism, resilience, empathy, destructiveness, invincibility, etc. Students will use an Art Journal as a ‘working portfolio’ for self-discovery and critical thinking as they manipulate specific elements of art and art mediums each week (printmaking, ink, watercolor, collage, clay, fiber art, mixed media) on their continual journey towards developing their own personal mythologies.
2014-2015 Visual Arts Course, grades TK-5
Created by Sarit Swanborn
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Enduring Understanding: Encompassing every culture and civilization throughout history, Myths represent a sacred blueprint for how a group of people came to be, what deities and heroes they worshiped, and what pivotal historical events shaped their lives. Passed down for thousands of years through generational storytelling, visual and performance art, Myths remain sacred today because they connect us to our ancestral past as preserved, remarkable examples of rituals, customs and traditions that we hold dear in our continual search for meaning.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Course Objective: Immersed in the art of visual storytelling, children harness the power of myths and metaphors to unlock imagination and self-expression. Each grade level will explore well-known myths and symbolic artwork from two distinct cultures—using these cherished examples as a springboard for creating their own mythical tales that explore archetypal aspects of Self: truth, deceit, heroism, resilience, empathy, destructiveness, invincibility, etc. Students will use an Art Journal as a ‘working portfolio’ for self-discovery and critical thinking as they manipulate specific elements of art and art mediums each week (printmaking, ink, watercolor, collage, clay, fiber art, mixed media) on their continual journey towards developing their own personal mythologies.
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