Teaching Plan : Native American Art

Grade level:

High School 10-12th grades

Instructional Goal:

Students will be exposed to the Native American culture through an exposure to products from the various tribes to include clay pottery, arrowheads, wood carvings, beaded works, and they will become familiar with Native American motif designs and their meanings. The text for this project will come from: "Sun Circles and Human Hands" edited by Emma Lila Fundaburk and published by Southern Publications, copyright 1957.

Students will learn how to produce and decorate a clay pot or a tribal mask in the style of a Native American Culture of their choice. They must provide a sample, either picture, drawing, or actual mask/pot they wish to emulate and detail the culture who produced it in a one page report.

Through the production of Native American Indian items, the student should develop an interest and hence a deeper understanding of Native American Culture.

Materials:

* Pottery tools to include wood paddles w/ prestamped motifs.

* Any tool a student may fashion him/herself from the environment (perhaps a pointed stick?)

* Several pounds of clay / provided by instructor.

* Paper and pens for the report.

Presentation:

Students will be shown several artifacts from the Native American cultures to include items from the past to art of the present. Class discussion will involve considering the meanings and uses of the various pieces. For instance, an arrowhead may be studied to determine whether it was actually used as a knife or a projectile or a spear. Native American cultural motifs will be studied to gain an understanding of the meanings behind the patterns. Cultural totems will also be explored. Masks will be studied to determine their use and symbology. Class discussion will evolve around the various items. I estimate that 3 classroom hours (periods) will be sufficient to introduce the project.

Next step involves the students deciding which piece of clay work they would like to attempt. Students should be able to vocalize their ideas in a classroom discussion. Each student will give a 1-2 minute oral introduction to his/her choice. I estimate that 1 classroom hour (period) will be needed.

Demonstration and execution of project. Students should already be familiar with the basic hand building techniques in clay. However, demonstrations will be needed in the "coiling" techniques of the Native Americans. I estimate another 3 classroom hours for this step. Finally the students will be given ample time (approximately 12 hours of classroom time) to assemble their pieces. They will prepare their 1 page reports as homework.

Critique:

Probably the most critical stage of the project, the students will display their understanding of the topic through critical discourse. They will engage each other in discussion over application of styles and use of materials. They will be able to express their opinions that will be based on their understanding of the Native American Cultures. Instructor will guide the discussions as merely a mediator, but free flow of thought will be encouraged. I estimate that 2-3 classroom hours will be needed for this phase.

Grading:

Students will be graded as follows:

1 page report - 20%

Product - 30%

In class participation (including critique) - 50%

Sample: Instructor's mask, design based on Southeastern Cultural motif.

This motif was found on the copper breastplate found at the Lake Jackson Indian Mound in Tallahassee, Florida. Represents the now disappeared Appalachee tribe.