Art Supplies for Middle Ages History

Funded Jan 11, 2012

On January 2012, I was honored with a check/grant in the amount of $660. I had applied for the grant as a means of supplementing the art aspect of my history curriculum. Throughout the spring (and well into the upcoming school year), I used art projects as a means of enhancing the state mandated curriculum. The following are descriptions and examples of several of the projects completed during the course of the 2011/12 school year.

Japan- Cherry Blossoms, Samurai Journal

The Cherry Blossom project was one of my student's favorite projects. In a single class period students created a beautiful representation of a cherry tree in bloom. The cherry blossom, the symbol of the fragility of the samurai warrior, is shown in stark contrast with the winter bare branches. Students used straws to blow the two drops of wet ink across a piece of watercolor paper. Two or three tissue cherry blossoms were then glued to the branches and a haiku poem (previously written and typed) was glued at the bottom against a swatch of colored Japanese paper.

Medieval Europe- Illuminated Letters, Coat of Arms

This project gave students the opportunity to creatively display their knowledge of a single fact about Medieval Europe through the art form of illuminated letters. Students chose any one of the terms used throughout the unit (ex: Apprentice or Cathedral). They were required to create an illuminated letter with the first letter of the word, define the word, and artistically create a representation of that word.

Renaissance- Renaissance Biography

This was another favorite project, as it allowed students the chance to break free and creatively express themselves in an outlandish design. My Renaissance unit focuses on the many historical figures of the time, (Da Vinci, Michelangelo, etc.). Each student was given the chance to pick one of ten figures. They were required to create a poem based on that person using facts gathered in class which was then placed on the back of that particular figures head. The student in a creative expression of his or her own liking then decorated the front side or face. We ended up with many crazy faces!

As stated in my proposal, I believe that art helps students to retain the information they have learned. This tactile approach allows students to "touch" history instead of being a bystander and only reading about it. Both students and their parents cherished many of the projects created. The Donors Choose grant allowed me a chance to teach history through creative expression. In a time of deep budget cuts, when art is not appreciated as an essential part of the learning experience, I thank you for recognizing it's importance and providing me the means in which to pass it on to my students. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. ”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Wohl