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luis felipe noe

July 30, 2019 2 Comments

6 Juicy Artworks for the First Day of School

Art Discussion First Day of School

Inside: Six works of art with discussion questions and creative activities that make perfect first day of school art activities for art teachers of any grade.

Art Discussion First Day of School

August is coming…

I know.

Summer just started! You’ve barely had a chance to sunbathe or swim, and yet it’s almost time to attend in-service meetings, set up your classroom (or reorganize your cart for the thousandth time), and figure out how to make your favorite projects fit into the new lesson planning requirements (again).

There’s so much to do and the calendar is mocking you. Why, oh why, can’t you cram in a little weekend getaway? You just need a few days days to relax. Please?

Preparing for Back-to-School

Nevertheless, as you move through the stages of back-to-school grief, you remember all the things you love–the students you adore, the insightful comments and outstanding art, the silly jokes, your family of coworkers, the helpful volunteers, and those precious moments when you watch knowledge light up a student’s life.

The new school year will be exhilarating, exhausting, frustrating, and wonderful. And before you worry too much about what to do when you’re faced with class after class of familiar and brand new faces, let me help you out!

I won’t tell you how important it is to start the school year off strong, you already know. (And, if you’ve forgotten, I’m sure the many staff meetings you’re about to attend will remind you.) The school year is a marathon, not a sprint, and while getting off on the wrong foot won’t doom your year, it will make it harder to hit your stride. So, set the stage for stellar behavior with classroom management techniques, then show your students that art class is for more than making art–it’s for thinking critically about works of art and exploring the worlds both within and around them.

First Day of School Art Activities

Every year, I see frenzied Facebook discussions with art teachers trying to determine which project will not only get the kids hooked but also be feasible for the first day of school art activities. A lot of great ideas are thrown around, but I think there’s a easier way to get them excited.

Surprise your students by introducing them to a rich, fascinating work of art. A lot of teachers tell me that their biggest fear about incorporating more artworks and art history into their curriculum is the prospect of students being upset because they aren’t making their own art. That’s why the first day of school is such a great time to do this! When you set the expectation from the very first day***, your students won’t be confused, and they’ll know just how fun it can be! (***Or, the first week. Because goodness knows the attendance rolls will get mixed up, or you’ll have a dozen dress code infractions, and WHAT?! The bell is ringing already?!)

Let your students know:

Art class is more than just making art. We look at art and we talk about it together. We do this a lot.

And it. is. AWESOME.

Without further ado, here are six of my favorite artworks to share with students on the first day of school. Each one offers a lot for your classes to sink their teeth into and whet their appetite for the rest of the year! I’ve included links to blog posts that go into more depth for each piece and included some fun activities in case you’ve got enviable free time on the first day of school.

Also, check out my tips for an engaging classroom art discussion in this post.

The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo

first day of school art activities
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939

I’ve used this as the first artwork of the school year before, and the students loved it!

Beyond Discussion

Have students write dialogue between the two Fridas. Then, pair them up to act out their scripts in front of the class!

Find discussion questions and more for The Two Fridas in this blog post.

Closed by Sorcery by Luis Felipe Noe

artworks for first day of school art class
Closed by Sorcery, Luis Felipe Noé, 1963

This artwork is perfect for older students. There are a lot of juicy details, deep emotions, and a bit of shock value to analyze and interpret.

Beyond Discussion

Instruct students to write a poem from the point of view of the person at the top of the artwork.

Find more activities and some discussion questions on this blog post about Closed by Sorcery.

Fate of the Animals by Franz Marc

What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories
Franz Marc, Fate of the Animals, 1913

This artwork is a stunning mixture of brilliant color and raw emotion. There are multiple points to discuss, everything from the elements and principles of art to the cool World War I context. It’s a great pick for students from 3rd grade on up to high school.

Beyond Discussion

Ask students to ponder the nature of the creature in the top right hand corner. Then, have them write a narrative about the man/machine.

Find more information and teaching resources for Fate of the Animals in this blog post.

Nkisi Nkondi Power Figures from the Kongo people

These powerhouse sculptures are fascinating to students of all ages. They’ll be intrigued imagining the possible functions of the figures.

Beyond Discussion

Students will enjoy getting out of their seats for a kinesthetic activity! Getting up and positioning themselves in the poses of the sculptures often opens their minds to new interpretive possibilities.

Learn more about the Nkisi Nkondi Power Figures, along with discussion questions and creative learning activities, on this blog post.

Parson Weems’ Fable by Grant Wood

Grant Wood, Parson Weems Fable - first day of school art activities
Parson Weems’ Fable, Grant Wood, 1939

Many years ago, I was a Gallery Teacher at the Amon Carter Museum where this painting resides. This one was so fun to explore with students—the lines that all point to mini-George Washington, the repetition of shapes, the role of the narrator, and the awesome dollar-bill style head on the child George’s body. Not to mention the myth and the story behind it!

Beyond Discussion

After pointing out some of the shapes and discussing the role of emphasis lines in art, have students draw the ones they see in this artwork.

Explore the elements and principles in Parson Weems Fable and find matching discussion questions in this blog post.

Selim and Zuleika by Eugène Delacroix

Selim and Zuleika, Eugène Delacroix, 1857

This artwork is perfect for an art interpretation discussion, because it has tons of narrative, excellent usage of the elements and principles of art that contribute to the meaning, and some great opportunities for detective work by the students.

Beyond Discussion

Group students and have them create a tableaux vivant of what they think happened before, during, and after this scene.

Find a free printable and a discussion video for Selim and Zuleika on this blog post.

Are you hyped yet? I hope so! Either way, let me know how it goes, especially if you share one of these breathtaking artworks with your students. If you have another work you love for first day of school art activities, I’d love to know about that too!

6 Juicy Artworks to Discuss on the First Day of School

This post was a part of The Art Ed Blogger’s Network: Monthly Tips and Inspiration from Art Teacher Blogs.

Participating Art Teacher Blogs:

  • Art Class Curator
  • Art Ed Guru
  • Art is Basic
  • Art Room Blog
  • Art with Mr. E
  • Arte a Scuola
  • Brava Art Press
  • Artful Artsy Amy
  • Capitol of Creativity
  • Create Art with ME
  • MiniMatisse
  • Mona Lisa Lives Here
  • Mr. Calvert’s Art Room Happenings
  • Mrs. Boudreaux’s Amazing Art Room
  • Mrs. T’s Art Room
  • Ms. Nasser’s Art Studio
  • Party in the Art Room
  • shine brite zamorano
  • Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher
  • There’s a Dragon in my Art Room

This post was originally published on July 10, 2018.

Filed Under: Art and Artists, Art Ed Blogger's Network
Tagged With: best of art class curator, eugene delacroix, franz marc, frida kahlo, grant wood, luis felipe noe

 

August 24, 2015 2 Comments

10 Artworks Perfect for an Art Criticism Lesson

Artworks for Stimulating Discussion

Through my many years of teaching, I’ve accumulated a nice list of artworks that are perfect to discuss with students and teach them how to analyze art. These artworks spark lots of interesting ideas, have easy to notice design choices that contribute to the meaning and always lead to a great art criticism discussion (or a great student-written essay) with the students.

Artworks for Stimulating Discussion

These artworks are great for high school and college students, but many work for elementary and middle as well. You can use your judgment to decide what works best for your students.

The Four Steps of Art Criticism Lesson Plan

I created this list for my lesson on the art criticism steps available for sale. The Four Steps of Art Criticism lesson teaches students how to analyze art through the art criticism steps of description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. This resource includes a lesson outline (pdf), a PowerPoint, a written assignment instructions handout (pdf and editable .doc), a quiz (pdf and editable .doc), and a list of artworks including (but not limited to) the ones below. Buy it now for $14, and use it in your classroom tomorrow!

The Four Steps of Art Criticism Lesson Plan

This lesson covers the four steps of art criticism using artworks. Explore description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation with your students using engaging activities and examples.

Buy Now

Ten Artworks Perfect for Art Criticism with Students

Most of these are not in the public domain. I have included small thumbnails for your reference. Click the picture to view a larger image.

Marc Chagall, Young Girl in Pursuit, ca. 1927-28

Marc Chagall, Young Girl in Pursuit, ca. 1927-28
Marc Chagall, Young Girl in Pursuit, ca. 1927-28

This one is so simple and straight-forward, but it always sparks the imagination of the students.

Questions to Ask: How does this artwork make you feel? What choices does the artist make to make you feel that? Who is this woman? Why is there a woman in her hair? What is the meaning of this artwork?

Salvador Dalí, Persistence of Memory, 1931

Salvador Dalí, Persistence of Memory, 1931
Salvador Dalí, Persistence of Memory, 1931

Everyone knows this one. I read some study one time that said Salvador Dalí was the most recognized artist name among people interviewed on the street. I found that to be fascinating. From the melting clocks to the sleeping head, to the ants crawling all over the pocket watch, to is that a snake coming out of his nose?, this one has a lot for students to unpack.

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Get the Full Lesson!

This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

John Feodorov, Animal Spirit Channeling Device for the Contemporary Shaman, 1963

John Feodorov, Animal Spirit Channeling Device for the Contemporary Shaman, 1997
John Feodorov, Animal Spirit Channeling Device for the Contemporary Shaman, 1997

I wrote more about this one on the post: 5 Artworks to Intrigue your High Schooler.

Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939

Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939

This one is also on 5 Artworks to Intrigue your High Schooler. Read more there. 🙂

Edvard Munch, Separation, 1896

Edvard Munch, Separation, 1896
Edvard Munch, Separation, 1896

Students love coming up with stories about this one. He is having a heart attack, and the woman is an angel taking him away. The woman is the ghost of his wife who has passed. And more, lots of great stories. The artist’s use of line, color, and contrast adds meaning to the student’s interpretations.

Luis Felipe Noé, Cerrado por brujería [Closed by Sorcery], 1963

Luis Felipe Noé, Cerrado por brujería [Closed by Sorcery], 1963
Luis Felipe Noé, Cerrado por brujería [Closed by Sorcery], 1963


This is one of my all time top artworks to discuss with students. I usually show it on the first day of class in my community college art appreciation class. I wrote a whole post about it here.

Pablo Picasso, Girl before a Mirror, 1932

Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932
Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932

This painting made me weep when I saw it the first time. It’s stunning in person. Read more about it on 5 Artworks that Promote Introspection. This is a great one to have students write about at the beginning of class.

Lawrence Beall Smith, Don’t Let That Shadow Touch Them, 1942

Lawrence Beall Smith, Don’t Let That Shadow Touch Them, 1942
Lawrence Beall Smith, Don’t Let That Shadow Touch Them, 1942

I love connecting history and art. I include this piece of propaganda art on one of my tests for students to write about. You would be surprised how many students don’t recognize the swastika. In addition to discussing the power images have on our feelings and decision, the historical significance of the image is an important discussion to have with the students.

George Tooker, The Subway, 1950

George Tooker, The Subway, 1950
George Tooker, The Subway, 1950

Creepy, suspicious men and multiple perspectives make this one a fun one to talk about with students. The lone, solitary woman with the concerned expression makes us think, and why is she holding her stomach? Lots to talk about.

Kara Walker, Darkytown Rebellion, 2001

Kara Walker, Darkytown Rebellion, 2001
Kara Walker, Darkytown Rebellion, 2001

This one has some sensitive subject matter. I wouldn’t hesitate to use this for a college class, but only you can decide if it works for your students. I actually got in an argument with one of my friends in front of one of Kara Walker’s artworks like this one. I love art that sparks opinion and discussion. I don’t shy away from big topics in my classroom. Art opens up important dialogues, so I think it is important to let those happen in the classroom. After students look and figure out what is going on through art criticism, we discuss the element of the projection and how the viewer can become a part of the art by standing in between the light and the wall. It leads to some interesting thoughts.

Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: best of art class curator, edvard munch, frida kahlo, george tooker, john feodorov, kara walker, lawrence beall smith, luis felipe noe, marc chagall, pablo picasso, salvador dali

 

June 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

Art Spotlight: Closed by Witchcraft by Luis Felipe Noé

Art Class Curator Spotlight Luis Filipe

The Art Curator for Kids - Art Spotlight - Luis Felipe Noé, Cerrado por brujería [Closed by Sorcery], 1963Welcome to my Art Spotlight series. In this series, I delve a little deeper into individual works of art to help give you ideas for how to use them in your classroom. For each artwork, I will include discussion questions, a short description of its significance and context, learning activities, and curriculum connections.

The artwork today is Cerrado por brujería [Closed for Witchcraft], created by Argentinian artist Luis Felipe Noé in 1963. Because of copyright, I have include a small, low quality thumbnail here for reference. To see a larger version of the image, click over to the Blanton Museum website.

Luis Felipe Noé, Cerrado por brujería [Closed for Witchcraft], 1963 — click image to see larger on Blanton Museum website

I know this looks a little scary, and if it is not your bag, that’s okay. Feel free to click on over to this happier post (or this, this, or this) to help you forget this one. Although it is dark, this is one of my favorite artworks to discuss with students. I usually show it the first day of my college art appreciation course as there is so much to pick apart and so many directions the interpretations could go. I usually don’t show the title until later, so it won’t impact the students’ personal interpretations. Try not to let the title have too much sway over your thoughts when you look at it.

As always, use these tips for how to look at art with kids. Always let them look and think about it before you give them any information!

Recommended Age: High School and Adult. It’s a little dark, but they can take it.

Art Questions to Ask

  • What do you notice in this painting?
  • Inspect every inch of this picture. This painting is about 6.5 feet by 8 feet. How would the size influence your experience as a viewer?
  • What symbols do you notice?
  • What emotions do you notice? Where have you seen emotions like this conveyed?
  • Where have you seen heads in boxes before?
  • What meaning was the artist trying to convey? What is the story happening here? What do you see that makes you say that?
  • How do you think this painting relates to how we live our lives today? Think about tv, the internet, twitter, YouTube, etc. 

Art Commentary

This is a fascinating artwork that made a big impact on me when I saw it in person. It is  huge, and those faces are so very creepy. The contrasting colors and drippy red add to that feeling. My students usually hate this artwork as they often come into an art class thinking that it is not art unless it is beautiful. They also hate it because in this Christian country we live in, people tend to shy away from things that seem devilish.

I love this painting even though I generally dislike creepy things. I love artworks where you can feel the presence of the artist. You can see how he or she slashed the painted onto the canvas, and you can feel what he or she was feeling at the time. The drips and smooshes and scribbles connect me to that person in an intimate way. The interpretation that I most connect with is that the dudes at the bottom are the main guy’s inner demons. He is trying to keep them back with the crucifix (notice the white crucified form on the bright red cross) and jail them behind bars.

The label text for this artwork gives another idea. (And, we must remember with art that our interpretations of art are just as valid as what the almighty Museum says. Art is just as much about the viewer as it is the artist.) It talks about the rise of television, in particular the talking heads of the news. The artist himself quit painting for about 10 years and was a journalist. He was very aware that the Latin government often told the TV stations what to say.

Even though this was painted in 1963 in Argentina, it couldn’t be more relevant to the 24 hour news cycle talk talk talk talk of today. Each box in the picture is another channel, another pundit, another opinion, another debate. Although, with the up-to-the-second updates on twitter, we are learning that the major news channels are become more and more irrelevant. Watching the news makes me so stressed so I very rarely watch–not to the point of crucifixes and scary animals coming out of my head, but close. It’s also probably why I have a hard time getting into twitter. Too much noise.

Art Learning Activities

  1. Poetry. I know, I know. It is probably becoming a pattern that I am always mentioning poetry in this section, but poetry is such a natural fit with art. With all the emotions and strong imagery in this painting, connecting through writing works. Try poetry or simply journaling about this artwork. Spoken word poetry might be cool too. Maybe 5 students all reading spoken word at the same time. Yes. Do that, please.
  2. Storytelling. After working up a narrative by looking at that art, use the tips in this post about exploring narrative in art to explore the painting more deeply.
  3. Kinesthetic Learning. Have students make these facial expressions and make the sounds with their voices that they might imagine hearing in conjunction with this painting. Have them move their bodies like these people would move. How does it feel? How does it help you understand the painting more?

Artwork Information

Cerrado por brujería [Closed by Sorcery] by Luis Felipe Noé, 1963
199.6 cm x 249.7 cm (78 9/16 in. x 98 5/16 in.)
Oil and collage on canvas
Jack S Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, TX, Archer M. Huntington Museum Fund, 1973
Link to Artwork

Thanks for reading!

What do you think about this artwork? Did you show it to your students? How did they react? Let me know in the comments.

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Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: luis felipe noe

 

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