STEAM Ahead
Chicago Height/ Park Forest, Illinois
Science Technology Engineering Art Math

Colors, Shapes, and Symmetry Lessons 5-8:


Hands & Patterns


using 40,000 year-old cave paintings to inform hand tracing mosaics and embodied symmetry

Grade Level Focus: 2nd Grade
School: 21st Century Primary Center 
Teaching Artist(s): Jordan Knecht
Classroom Teacher: Andrea Mele
Materials: watercolors or crayons, pencils, paper, scissors
Lessons: 4

Unit: Colors, Shapes, and Symmetry



Summary
Obsserve cave paintings. Create hand tracing mosaics. Explore symmetry in bodies.

Lesson Sequence
Lesson 5: Observe and discuss 40,000 year-old hand tracings. Create overlapping hand tracings.

Lesson 6: Continue hand tracings. Use watercolor to add color and feelings.

Lessons 7: Create tiles by cutting out pieces of hand tracings.

Lesson 8: Use hands to show symmetry and assymetry. Work with partners to mirror each other’s movements.
Next Generation Science Standards
2-PS1-1
2-PS1-2
K-2-ETS1-1
K-2-ETS1-2
National Visual Arts StandardsCREATING
Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr1.1.2a, VA:Cr1.2.2a
     
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop ideas and work. VA:Cr2.1.2a, VA:Cr2.2.2a

Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic work.
VA:Cr3.1.2a

PRESENTING
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic works.
VA:Cr3.1.2a
          
RESPONDING
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret and meaning in artistic work.
VA:Pr6.1.2a
CONNECTING
Anchor Standard 10: Synthesis and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
VA:Cn10.1.2a                                

Anchor Standard 11: Compare and contrast cultural uses of artwork from different times and places.
VA:Cn11.1.2a
Artist Connections Mags Harries | (Glove Cycle podcast)
Gabriel Orozco
Ana Mendieta
Carolee Schneemann
Additional Resources

David Sprecher and Andrea Mele presenting on hands

Cueva de las Manos 360

Sulawesi Cave Paintings

Cueva de Las Manos
Sulawesi CavesA Study of Prehistoric Painting Has Come to a Startling Conclusion (Article)
Hands in Art (Article)
Work examples: 

Lesson 5: Observe, Discuss, and Begin Hand Tracings


beginning hand tracings

Lesson 6: Continue Hand Tracings, Add Color and Feelings


accumulated hand tracings

Lesson 7: Create & Sharing Hand Mosaics


adding watercolor to hand tracings

Lesson 8: Use Hands and Bodies to Convey Symmetry


conveying symmetry with bodies




 

Colors, Shapes, and Symmetry Lessons
Use these links to view sections of the unit plan.


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