Students in grades 4th through 8th grade will begin working in their "art passport" journals! After each unit they will research the country we are learning about!
Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation. (Week 3)
Anchor Standard 9: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work. (Week 2)
Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding. (Week 1)
Essential Questions: How does art help us understand the lives of people of different times, places, and cultures? How are artworks cared for and by whom? How does one determine criteria to evaluate a work of art?
North America Mexico Folk Art Traditions Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead Pinch Pottery Papel Picados | Sugar Skulls Alebrijes Symmetry Line Shapes Vibrant Colors Patterns |
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Students
Mata Ortiz is a small village in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. The village of Mata Ortiz has recently seen a revival of an ancient Mesoamerican pottery tradition. Inspired by pottery from the ancient city of Paquimé, which traded as far north as New Mexico and Arizona and throughout northern Mexico, modern potters are producing work for national and international sale. |
-"The Pot That Juan Built" By Nancy Andrews- Goebel
- Making a Mata Ortiz Pot (Video)
- Juan Quezada's Website
2nd & 3rd Grade Students
Papel picado ("perforated paper", "pecked paper") is a decorative craft made out of paper cut into beautiful and elaborate designs. It is considered a Mexican folk art. The designs are commonly cut from coloured tissue paper using a guide or template and small chisels, creating as many as forty banners at a time. Papel picado can also be made by folding tissue paper and using small, sharp scissors. Common themes include birds, floral designs, and skeletons. |
LEARN MORE ABOUT PAPEL PICADOS | MEET A PAPEL PICADO ARTIST |
4th-6th grade students
4th - 6th grade students will be learning about the history and celebrations of Dia de los Muertos. In honor of the holiday we will be creating clay "model magic" sugar skulls sculptures! Dia de los Muertos is a 3,500 year old celebration that dates back to the ancient Aztecs. It's also known as the day of the dead. Every November 1st and 2nd the people of Mexico honor their lost loved ones. Sugar Skulls have been a large part of Dia de los Muertos since 17th century. Our sugar skulls are made out of clay instead of sugar and highlight our understanding of form and balance within a 3-dimensional work of art. |
SUGAR SKULLS VIDEO | DAY OF THE DEAD ANIMATED SHORT |
7th & 8th grade students
All across Mexico, fantastical creatures can be found dotting the streets, covered in bright colors, giant wings, bulging eyes and viper tongues. These are alebrijes, papier-mâché or wood carved creations that have become a staple of Mexican folk art. But how did these beautiful monsters come to be? That’s all thanks to one man with a dream. As history has it, after falling into an unconscious state, Pedro Linares dreamed up a series of horrific creatures. Upon waking, he created his first sculpture. Today, his family continues to carry on the tradition of monster-making, keeping Pedro’s visions alive. |
Maya goes to Mexico | Building Beautiful Monsters | How to make an Alebrije with paper mache |