Illinois, Our Home Lessons 1-5:
Research & Draw
exploring local geography and history through drawing, sculpting, and mapping
Grade Level Focus: 4th Grade
School: Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM
Teaching Artist: Marc Fischer
Classroom Teacher: Kindell Smith, Kimberly Biciste, Kaneda Irvin
Materials: small paper, pencils, coloring tools (pencils, markers, crayons, etc.), clay, paint, foamboard
Lessons: 5
Unit: Illinois, Our Home
Summary Research local geography, plan and map, sculpt and install features.
Lesson Sequencelesson 1: Introduce Big Idea & Inquiry. Discuss map of Illinois. Begin to Draw map of Illinois.
lesson 2: Paula Sher. Continue drawing own map of Illinois.
lesson 3: Observe Chicago architecture drawings of Wesley Willis. Finalize map drawing.
lesson 4: Observe the work of AfriCOBRA. Use observation to determine subject of research, drawing, painting and sculpting.
lesson 5: Observe the work of Nicole Marroroquinn. Use observation to decide what to sculpt.
Next Generation Science Standards
4-ESS2-2
4-ESS1-1
4-LS1-1
3-5-ETS1-1
3-5-ETS1-2
3-5-ETS1-3
National Visual Arts StandardCREATING
Anchor Standards 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr1.1.4a, VA:Cr.1.2.4a
PRESENTING
Anchor Standard 5: Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
VA:Pr5.1.4a
RESPONDING
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
VA:Re.7.2.4a
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. VA::Re8.1.4a
CONNECTING
Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experience to make art. VA:Cn10.1.4a
Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
VA:Cn11.1.4a
Artist Connections
Paula Scher
Wesley Willis
AfriCOBRA
Nicole Marroquin
Additional Resources
Marc Fischer’s STEAM Ahead Blog Illinois, Our Homes Map Survey
Lesson Sequencelesson 1: Introduce Big Idea & Inquiry. Discuss map of Illinois. Begin to Draw map of Illinois.
lesson 2: Paula Sher. Continue drawing own map of Illinois.
lesson 3: Observe Chicago architecture drawings of Wesley Willis. Finalize map drawing.
lesson 4: Observe the work of AfriCOBRA. Use observation to determine subject of research, drawing, painting and sculpting.
lesson 5: Observe the work of Nicole Marroroquinn. Use observation to decide what to sculpt.
4-ESS2-2
4-ESS1-1
4-LS1-1
3-5-ETS1-1
3-5-ETS1-2
3-5-ETS1-3
National Visual Arts StandardCREATING
Anchor Standards 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr1.1.4a, VA:Cr.1.2.4a
PRESENTING
Anchor Standard 5: Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
VA:Pr5.1.4a
RESPONDING
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
VA:Re.7.2.4a
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. VA::Re8.1.4a
CONNECTING
Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experience to make art. VA:Cn10.1.4a
Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
VA:Cn11.1.4a
Artist Connections
Paula Scher
Wesley Willis
AfriCOBRA
Nicole Marroquin
Additional Resources
Marc Fischer’s STEAM Ahead Blog Illinois, Our Homes Map Survey
Work examples:
![using maps as reference for drawing]()
![first draft of map of Illinois]()
![discussing first draft of map]()
![Paula Sher]()
![referencing larger map]()
![details being added to Illinois map drawing]()
![working in groups to add details]()
![points of interest added to map]()
Lesson 3: Observing Chicago Architecture and Finalizing Maps
![Wesey Willis]()
![observing Chicago Architecture]()
![finalizing maps]()
![finalizing maps]()
![AfriCOBRA]()
![surveying interests]()
![Nicole Marroroquinn]()
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Lesson 1: Drawing Map of Illinois
Lesson 2: Researching Illinois for Map Drawing
Lesson 3: Observing Chicago Architecture and Finalizing Maps
Lesson 4: Presenting AfriCOBRA, Surveying Interests
Lesson 5: Researching and Choosing What to Sculpt
