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Lesson Plan for Creativity
Lesson to be used as part of Australia study unit
By Megan Boock
Art Standard
Creating Anchor Standard #1- Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and art
Art piece for inspiration
(shows in word document- Aboriginal Art of Uluru)
Grade
3-4
Subject focus
This is a lesson integrating social studies and art
Background
This lesson is part of a unit studying Australia. This lesson follows lessons on maps of Australia, the climate, and Australian animals, art, food, and music.
Introduction
Ask, what are some of the most interesting things you’ve learned about Australia so far in this unit? (Allow students to share answers.) Today we are going to learn about something very beautiful in Australia. It’s a rock!
Direct Teaching
Ayers Rock/ Uluru
Ayers Rock - known to the aboriginal people as Uluru - is one of the most well-known features of the Australian landscape and a popular tourist attraction. It is also of great importance in the native culture and the legends of the Dreamtime.
What Is Ayers Rock?
In modern scientific terms, Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation in the Northern territory of central Australia. The Rock is just the outward protrusion of a larger underground structure. This unusual visible section is some 350 meters high and 8 km around, a truly impressive natural wonder.
There is almost no vegetation on the rock which is covered with rain grooves along its sides as well as caves, pools, etc.
One of the strange features of Ayers Rock is the almost magical way in which it seems to change color and even glow as light hits it from different angles.
The Rock is today part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Because Uluru is a sacred site the Anangu request that visitors show respect by not climbing it. Some people believe it is unlucky to take away rocks from Uluru as souvenirs. Even if it were not unlucky it would certainly be disrespectful.
Uluru Legends
The land means much to the aboriginal people so it is no surprise that an unusual feature as prominent as Uluru should be of great importance in their culture and legends.
The local people are the Anangu. You may have heard them referred to as Yankunytjatjara or Pitjantjatjara - these are two of the languages they speak.
Uluru is considered to hold a record of the Dreamtime activities of the Ancestors - actually, all the land is such a record, Uluru is simply amongst the most spectacular. The strange grooves on its sides are believed to be the tracks left by the Ancestors and various features of the mountain are sacred to specific spirits. These spirits can sometimes be communicated with when touching these features, however this should not be attempted by outsiders without permission and guidance from the native people.
Lizard People
There is a legend that Uluru was created as a result of a great battle. Two tribes of ancient spirits were invited to a feast but were distracted by Lizard Women and failed to turn up. This slight to the hosts resulted in battle and many were slain. Uluru rose up as a mark of the grief of the land at this bloodshed.
Another legend says that the scars on the sides of Uluru came about during great wars between tribes of lizard people. There is clearly a connection - lizard people - between these two legends. The full story is probably known only to the local Anangu who pass on the tales between the generations.
Stories of lizard people have arisen around the globe - and beyond.
(Direct teaching information from
http://www.wyrdology.com/mythology/aboriginal/ayers-rock.html)
Mid-Unit Assessment Activity
Together we have learned quite a bit about Australia over the last two weeks! Today you will have an opportunity to show what you have learned about Australia. You will each create a piece of art and include your favorite things about Australia. Take a look at this picture (show the picture from the top of the lesson). Yours will not look just like this because yours will each be different. In this example, I can see many things about Australia: it’s warm and sunny, there is dry desert land, I see Ayers Rock/ Uluru, there are kangaroos, and it’s all done in Aboriginal Art (dots).
So, at the tables I have many materials- paper, glue, scissors, markers, crayons, paint, colored pencils, and some other random supplies for you to look through. Demonstrate to me something(s) that you’ve learned about Australia through your piece of art. After it is complete, you will also write a paragraph about your piece.
Work-Time
Allow students two days of 30-minute chunks each (60 min. total) to work on their art piece. Allow 20 minutes of writing time to describe their artwork.
Assessment
Assess each piece of art and writing based on this rubric.
5 points- Effort and creativity displayed when completing artwork and writing
10 points- Artwork displays understanding of 2 or more Australian concepts
5 points- Writing explains artwork and displays understanding of Australian concepts
Total= 20 points
Conclusion
Allow students to share their art and writing with others, either by sharing out in front of the class (presentation style) OR art gallery style by hanging each piece and allowing students to walk around and look at/read each one.
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