Email: starlite@bway.net
School/University/Affiliation: Teacher: PS 40Q
Date: September 1, 1998
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7
Subject(s):
- Arts/History
Duration: three to four 45 minute sessions
Description: Based on the book Great Migration by Jacob Lawrence, students will create a wall hanging depicting the migration north by African Americans in the early part of this century.
Goals: To have students work together to create a wall hanging.
Objectives: Each student will create one panel of the wall hanging, which when put together with the work of their classmates will tell the story of the great migration.
Materials:
- Book: Great Migration by Jacob Lawrence
- Construction Paper (preferably non-fading paper)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencils
- Large sheets of paper at least 30×40 for background of wall hanging, markers
Procedure:
Students will read the book Great Migration and examine the art style of Jacob Lawrence.
- Students will discuss the historical implications of the migration northward by African Americans.
- Teachers will cut out squares 12″x12″ or larger to each student or each group of students for their background from various colors.
- Students may choose a topic for their square. The migration, the drought, factories and railroads, prejudice etc.
- Instead of using paint to recreate the “flat postery” effect of Lawrence students will cut out shapes and forms from construction paper depicting human forms, factories, railroad stations etc.
- Students should not clutter their square with details, but rather create an abstract panel that tells a story using form, shape and color.
- Students glue their shapes to their square.
- Students can retell the story by writing panels to be placed on the wall hanging using markers.
- Teacher assembles all the panels to create the wall hanging.
- Using markers, students create borders around the wall hanging as well as between each panel.
Assessment: Students will display their wall hanging in a prominent place in the school to be viewed by all.
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