American Iconography
My museum. third grade February.docxAMERICAN ICONOGRAPHY
In honor of President's Day during the month of February, the 3rd grade classes have been learning about American presidents and American symbols during social studies. Therefore, for this month's My School and My Museum Program visit three works of art were selected for students to experience, each containing American symbols and an American figure.
Building on the previous month's visit using the elements of art and the themes of "community" and "equality" students were challenged to identify the figures in each of the American paintings as well as objects that could have patriotic or symbolic meanings. providing additional content to the elements used and determine what the artists wanted to reveal to the viewer.
By the end of the experience students were able to identify the all of the figures and recognize that the inclusion of objects with symbolic meanings can reveal much more about the painting's purpose.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
GOALS: Students will be able to answer the following questions about each work of art.
· Identify imagery of American presidents.
· Identify key objects within painting that have symbolic meaning in early America.
· Understand how artists use objects to communicate symbolic meaning about the people or story being portrayed in the works of art.
OBJECTIVES:
· Students will be able to identify the key figure in each painting.
· Students will be able to identify the specific objects within each painting that have symbolic meaning.
· Students will be able to interpret symbolic meanings from the objects and have a better understanding of the story the artist is trying to communicate.
WORKS OF ART
George Washington (Constable-Hamilton Portrait), Gilbert Stuart, 1797, oil on canvas
George Washington, Charles Willson Peale, ca. 1780-1782, oil on canvas
Rosie the Riveter, Norman Rockwell, 1943, oil on canvas
IN THE CLASSROOM
American Iconography.pptxDuring the classroom time at the Museum students were engaged with a presentation on American Iconography. The presentation defined the meaning of the word "icon" and offered examples of famous American icons such as the American flag, the statue of liberty and the American bald eagle.
Students also learned that icons, emblems and objects can all have symbolic meaning. Several examples of American symbols and emblems were provided with their symbolic meaning.
Presentation and Instruction provided by Aaron Jones, Director of Arts Integration
IN THE GALLERIES
Students were divided into groups. Museum Educators provided an overview of the themes and reminded students to think about information learned in the presentation.
Students looked closely at the works of art and with assistance from prompts provided by the Museum Educators students identified the key figure and various objects with American symbolic meaning.
By looking at Norman Rockwell's Rosie the Riveter, students learned that the figure is symbolic standing for the strength and patriotism of women during World War II.
Students learned in Gilbert Stuart's painting of George Washington, that key objects and symbols revealed a historic connection with Alexander Hamiliton.
ARTS INTEGRATION PROJECT
For the arts integration component of the experience students returned to school and created an American Iconography assemblage from student artwork. From the Museum experience students drew a symbol or icon that they believed best represented America. The drawings were then beautifully colored with materials provided by CRAYOLA as recipients for the Champion Creatively Alive Children Grant!
