Literacy for Life 2014 Conference

Literacy for Life 2014 Conference

November 1, 2014

Using Art to Enhance Conversation: Norman Rockwell

Joan Jobbins

I.Objective of lesson:

A.to enhance students’ ability to communicate conversationally

B.to have some awareness of the culture of the people with whom they are communicating.

II.Timing: I use this lesson later in our “semester” because the goal is to further paragraph speaking, or storytelling. We tell stories all the time: what we did over the weekend, a funny/sad/scary experience, the plot of a movie, even gossip can be a story, etc. This gives us a common source of a story.

III.Why Norman Rockwell

A.Recognizable American illustrator/artist

B.Pictures always seem to tell a story.

C.Captures a moment in time, in the everyday life of a nostalgic, even idealized American life.

D.Good opportunity to approach the grammar/spelling/vocabulary that students have trouble with: because it is in the context of what students want to say.

E.Great springboard for more complicated thoughtful discussions:

Integration

Childhood

Holidays

The Four Freedoms of Theodore Roosevelt

The Golden Rule

IV.Lesson

A.Display or have availablesamples of Norman Rockwell’s art.

(Any pictures you like such as: The Homecoming, No Swimming, Traffic Conditions, Rosie the Riveter, The Swimming Hole, Doctor and Doll)

B.Questions on easel:

Do you like these pictures?

Why/Why not?

What do you think about the artist?

How would you describe his pictures?

Do any of them make you feel anything?

C.Warm-Up: Easy greetings and conversation:

Do you like art?

What type of art do you like?

Do you go to museums?

Do you have a favorite museum?

D.Introduction

1.Students are given 5 minutes to walk around room, and then return to seat and answer the questions orally with their partners, if you have displayed.

Otherwise take the time pass around the pictures and allow time for students to look at them.

2.Follow-Up: Easy conversation. No right or wrong answers.

Ask about types of topics, style or reactions.

Does anyone know this painter/illustrator (*discuss vocabulary)

E.Norman Rockwell (Present info, write on board where necessary)

1.Born: February 3, 1894 in New York

2.Died: November 8, 1978

3.Considered himself: a commercial illustrator (pictures for magazines, calendars and even advertisements) although he also painted portraits

4.Famous quote: “I paint life the way I would like it to be.”

5.Quote by Steven Spielberg: “Norman Rockwell painted the American Dream (* discuss this expression) better than anyone”

6.Themes: (students provide – write on easel)

Samples:

Human Interest (events in everyone’s life, childhood, adolescence and marriage).

History (The Landing on the Moon)

Issues (Integration, Peace Corps)

F.Storytelling: What all the pictures have in common: they capture a moment in time and invite people into the story.

1.Guiding question: What are the characteristics of a good story?

(beginning, middle, end)

2.Whole Group Activity: (Don’t give title: No Swimming, 4 June 1921)

Make up story of picture together.

Describe the picture as it is now.

(Season, weather, what boys are doing? What are they wearing? What does the sign say? Why are they running?

What do you think happened before this picture took place?

What do you think will happen afterwards?

What would be a good title for this picture?

3. Table group activity: Outside the Principal’s Office, 23 May 1953)

If possible each group will work with one tutor.

The tutor will write down what is said on a large sheet of paper, while helping direct the group. He/she will also keep the story focused and ensure that everyone gets a chance to participate)

If a tutor is not available you can ask a higher level student to write down the story, exactly as it is told and retell it from their notes, as you write it down for the class to see. It takes more time, but it is well worth it.

4.Whole Group Follow-Up

Each student story is displayed and one student from each group will read it aloud.

Whole class can comment on storyline, ask questions, etc.

Any major language mistakes are focused on and can be corrected.

This is a good time to expand vocabulary/ or answer questions.

G.Homework

Be prepared to tell a story to the class: either based on a picture or personal experience. Remember the story should have a beginning, a middle and end. Students will ask questions about the stories presented.

H.Extension activities:You can certainly choose a particular picture of Norman Rockwell’s and initiate a conversation based on that picture.

For example:

The Four Freedoms

Rosie the Riveter (women in the workforce)

The Homecoming (holidays)

The Bodybuilder and Girl at the Mirror (Childhood dreams)

The Problem We All Live With (Integration/racial or ethnic bias.)

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