Realism and Surrealism

Realism and Surrealism is a really fun unit to teach; there are dichotomies all over from economic boom and bust to internal and external artistic expressions. As always remember your age group and gage your discussion accordingly. With very young kids especially don't try to get through it all. Limit your discussion to maximize your fun.

Here's the live training that went on at Draper Elementary School. Check it out if you need a refresher course. It's about 50 minutes.

Elephant Celebes by Ernst contains a nude bust at the bottom right corner in the video but it has been edited out in the version you present to the students.

Have a great time. This is really fun!

The Dark Ages or Age of Faith

The Dark Ages is one of my favorite units. I love the Let them Roam portion because when you break the sticks the kids get a very real sense of in justice. I usually like to really dramatize this portion of the lesson to allow the kids to get swept up in the idea of raiding tribes.

The Art Concept is also very fun because it's the first time we talk about color. If you don't have magazines it's really easy to use the clothing of the kids to illustrate the different color combinations.

Having said all that, brace yourself for the Art Project. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to mix and deliver your mortar. It's messy but worth it. The kids go mad when they realize what they get to do and take home. It's so over the top that they love it.

Allow plenty of time to clean up and sort the bits so other classes can use them. Have fun!

Roman Age

Photo by Scuba Beer

The Roman Age may feel as huge as the Colosseum so pace yourself. There is clearly too much information and too many activities to do in just two hours. Think about your own child and how much information they will be able to tolerate. Don't worry that you aren't being thorough; you can't. Do what you can and what appeals to you.

A real crowd pleaser is the Gladiator Challenge. The idea of becoming a citiczen because of something you did is very exciting to kids. Resist the tempation to give out awards for every child to make it fair. It's not supposed to be fair. While this activity is really fun, I don't advise it for older grades who are building cities. They won't have time.

Qin Dynasty

Welcome to the Qin Dynasty! You may want to simplify the Presentation for this unit with younger students. While it's fun to get out of seats and physically reorient the kids, if you are teaching a rowdy class (and you should know this by now) you may want them to stay put. It's fine because they will get this unit again. Preserve your sanity.

For the Art Project, this unit is light on materials (you can sigh relief) but it does take a little home work on your part. Make sure you know what ages are in the class you are teaching and practice those characters until you can do them easily. It shouldn't take you too long and the kids will be encouraged that it can be done.

Smile and have a great time!

Egyptian Age

The Egyptian Age is a clunky one. You can plan on the first year being all about the materials. Art is historically a difficult process, beyond practicing your craft, just getting the materials ready will give you a run for your money. You want the kids to get excited in Year Two when they get to open a bottle of paint and use an actual brush. But this is not that unit. If you are teaching a 1-3 grade don't over shoot with your materials. Keep it simple. However, 5th and 6th grades can really do the unit as written. Let them go with the materials having every expectation that they can clean it up. They will love the sciency part of this unit.

A good tip is if you are going to do the Mummification Modification (and I highly recommend that you do) do the Art Concept orally, having the students come up and challenge them to a Shape Off. I projected the image onto the white board and did it with the kids who were not chosen as the pharaohs. We completed the Art Concept while the pharaohs were getting ready in the hall. The kids all wanted a turn finding a matching shape and as soon as they couldn't another student rotated in. When we were all done I turned off the overhead and we talked about all the shapes we found. They were quite impressed with themselves.

One more thing. Don't get bogged down by the materials. There are so many variations with the paint. Take comfort in the fact that the younger kids will get the program again (in three years when it repeats) and will be better able to manage the materials then.

Smile and have a great time!

Prehistoric Age

Prehistoric Age is a really fun age. The history is very easy and the questions are very basic. What could be easier than survival? One project tip is, if you spray the tile first the mediums will stick better. Have fun!

Welcome!

Art Through the Ages
An art and history adventure for kids!

The philosophy of Art Through the Ages is simply that kids learn best when they do.

The goal of Art Through the Ages is to teach art within the confines of how and why it came about. Kids are encouraged to ask, Why? For example, Why at this specific moment in time Van Gogh could do what Van Gogh did? What was unique to the development of a specific society that enabled certain people to break out of the artistic norms? Each art project is grounded by the subjects and materials of the time.

Art Through the Ages recognizes that information stays with kids when they recall (The Bridge), learn (The Fence), and show comprehension by applying and analyzing their knowledge (Let Them Roam).

Most importantly, kids learn best when it’s safe and positive. Smile and have a great time!


Welcome to Art Through the Ages! I hope this will be helpful in your art teaching adventures. Please feel free to post questions and good ideas. I will try to respond and guide your discussions in a timely manner. Smile and have a great time!