What do artists do? Students are artists. The classroom is their studio.
5th grade- Shields based on Plains Native American
The fifth grade will be learning about PlainsNative American traditional art. Shields were used for physical and spiritual protection, which make them ceremonial and functional forms of art. Ceremonial art is used for ceremonies and rituals, while functional art can be used. Shields often depicted animals that would provide desirable qualities, like a bear for strength.
Student example
Student example
Here’s contemporary Lakota artist, James Little Wounded’s shields.
Art in Action: From National Geographic, here’s a video of the Oglala Lakota Nation’s Pow Wow. At the Pow Wow, we see how dancing, music, and ceremonial art (dress) work together. Pay close attention to how the Mr. Spotted Tail explains how he learned to participate in the Pow Wow.
Steps:
1) Open your bag, flip upside-down.
2) Cut up ONE side of the bag. Cut through the triangle at the top.
3) Cut out the “bottom” rectangle of the bag.
4) Lay your bag out flat. You should have completely cut out the rectangle. Write your name and class on the back.
5) On the pre-folded seam, fold your paper in HALF. Make sure the edges aren’t folded under.
6) The folded side is on the LEFT. Draw the belly of a “D” on your bag.
7) Cut out your half oval. In pencil, write your name and class on the back.
8) Flip over your paper. In pencil, draw the outline of ONE NORTH AMERICAN animal with qualities you’d want. I want to be wise- so an owl is perfect.
9) Draw a pattern design around your animal. Does have it symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial balance?
10) PAINT your animal black. It will look like a shadow. PAINT the rest of your shield.
11) When your shield is dry, hole punch around your edges.
12) When your shield is dry, use yarn to weave around the edges.
Ms. Baird's Art Class 