Unit+Plan


 * Rich and Compelling Content:** Art in Celebrations and Ceremonies


 * Unit Title:** Art in Our Celebrations and Ceremonies
 * Grade level:** Elementary, 5th grade.
 * Discipline:** Visual Art


 * Teacher name(s):** Karen Wade
 * Email address:** wadek@mail.uniontown.k12.pa.us
 * School(s) or District(s):** Uniontown Area School District; Menallen, Franklin and Wharton Schools.


 * Overview:** During this unit, students will be investigating how people express their values and cultural beliefs through symbolic representation using ornamentation or wearable art. Adinkra created by the people of Ghana will be investigated as an example. Then students will create their own symbolic celebratory or commemorative wearable art relating to their culture or cultural heritage. Students will create a script for a celebratory or commemorative event and perform it using their wearable art.


 * Time needed to complete the unit:** At least six 45-minute class periods.


 * Big idea:** Art that reflects cultural elements can be used to celebrate or commemorate.


 * Essential question(s):**
 * How do people use "wearable" art to celebrate or commemorate events in their lives?
 * How are cultural elements used in the creation of "wearable" art?
 * What can be communicated by cultural elements in "wearable" art?


 * Summative task:** Drawing from the Adinkra art of Ghana and their own personal experiences, the student will design their own wearable artwork to celebrate or commemorate an event from the student's culture. Students will write a script for the event and perform it, demonstrating how their artwork is used in the event.


 * Summative Task Rubric:**

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 * Teacher materials needed:**

//Technology://
 * Google Docs (Presentation, Spreadsheet, Documents)
 * Digital projector
 * iPod with microphone
 * Digital video camera (Vado)
 * Computer with Internet access
 * __Arts of Ghana__ DVD; TV and DVD player

//Websites://

Google Videos about Adinkra: []# Oxfam's educational site about life in Ghana: [] Oxfam's educational site about Adinkra: [] Akan cultural symbols project: []

//Miscellaneous://
 * World map
 * African artifacts


 * Student materials needed:**

//Miscellaneous://
 * Paper and pencil
 * Student journal
 * Assorted art supplies depending on student design: printmaking, textiles, clay, paint, etc.


 * Unit vocabulary:**
 * Africa
 * Ghana
 * savannah
 * Akan
 * Ashanti
 * Gold coa st
 * Adinkra, Kente cloth
 * Ntonso
 * dye
 * Kuntunkuni tree, Badie tree
 * 'adinkra aduru'
 * "medicine"
 * printing
 * pattern
 * calabash or gourd


 * Unit warm-up:**
 * What is wearable art? discussion

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 * Assessing Prior Knowledge:**
 * KWL chart
 * Discussion

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