Overview
In this unit the art theme
is architecture, but the focus is on house, or home. Students at
the elementary level in Fairfax County, Virginia begin by studying about
themselves, their families, and their immediate communities. As the
students move up through the elementary grade levels, they learn about
other communities, past and present. All groups of people call some
dwelling their “home.” By introducing a new group of people using the theme
of “home,” students will learn about these other communities by beginning
with an idea similar to an idea found in their own life and community.
Students will begin by focusing
on their own homes: what it looks like on the outside and inside, how it
is built, what materials are used and possible reasons why those materials
are used, who lives in the home, what is kept in their home. We will
ask questions, such as, what do you do in your home?
As students are introduced
to different countries or ancient civilizations, these same thoughts will
be discussed as a means of “getting to know” the group of people being
studied. After looking at the personal living areas the group, students
will be introduced to other modes of communication used, such as, language,
dress, food, art and music (Andrus, 2001). During the study of each
each ethnicity a hands on activity will be completed. The activity
may focus on the architecture, the clothing, the artifacts/art, music that
is produced, and/or dances of the particular group being studied.
