As we start our unit on the American Civil War, I thought I'd share this humorous response:
This isn't from one of my students, it was a response found online, but funny (and true!) nonetheless!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Great Advice!
This isn't from one of my students, it was a response found online, but funny (and true!) nonetheless!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Manifest Destiny Art Analysis
We are finishing up our unit, The Expanding Nation, where we have been studying post-Revolution American government as well as westward expansion. One recent lesson was the analysis of John Gast's 1872 lithograph, American Progress, which has become a visual representation of Manifest Destiny (the idea that it was God's intent for America to expand).
As a class we discussed the concept of Manifest Destiny as well as symbolism. Then, in pairs, students were asked to brainstorm and come up with a list of the different elements in the painting and what each represents in terms of westward expansion, also keeping in mind the title of the piece, American Progress.
Next we discussed the symbolism in the painting. For example, the right side of the painting is lighter to represent the fact that progress and technology had already come to the eastern part of the United States. The figure in the middle seems to be bringing technology and progress to the 'unenlightened' West.
Art analysis is a wonderful way for students to develop critical thinking skills and, in the case of this painting, it allowed us the opportunity to review what we had learned and read about throughout our unit of study. Additionally, this painting allows for further discussion of primary source documents, much like this lesson.
As a class we discussed the concept of Manifest Destiny as well as symbolism. Then, in pairs, students were asked to brainstorm and come up with a list of the different elements in the painting and what each represents in terms of westward expansion, also keeping in mind the title of the piece, American Progress.
Next we discussed the symbolism in the painting. For example, the right side of the painting is lighter to represent the fact that progress and technology had already come to the eastern part of the United States. The figure in the middle seems to be bringing technology and progress to the 'unenlightened' West.
Art analysis is a wonderful way for students to develop critical thinking skills and, in the case of this painting, it allowed us the opportunity to review what we had learned and read about throughout our unit of study. Additionally, this painting allows for further discussion of primary source documents, much like this lesson.
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