"Wish You Were Here" Lesson Plan

Teacher: Lauren Norcross
Grade Level: 9
Title: "Wish You Were Here"

Brief History: This lesson is based on William Wegman’s postcard art. William Wegman is an artist that uses postcards as a foundation in the creation of his paintings. He expands beyond the limits of the postcards to add his own interpretation and creative expression.

Standards:
Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities
9.1.9 A Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities
9.1.9 B Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.
9.1.9 C Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
9.1.9 E Delineate a unifying theme through the production of a work of art that reflects skills in media processes and techniques.
9.1.9 H Incorporate the effective and safe use of materials, equipment and tools into the production of works in the arts at work and performance spaces.
9.1.9 J Analyze and evaluate the use of traditional and contemporary technologies for producing, performing and exhibiting works in the arts or the works of others.


9.2.9 A Explain the historical, cultural and social context of an individual work in the arts.
9.2.9 E Analyze how historical events and culture impact forms, techniques and purposes of works in the arts
9.2.9 F Know and apply appropriate vocabulary used between social studies and the arts and humanities.
9.2.9 L Identify, explain and analyze common themes, forms and techniques from works in the arts

9.3.9 B Determine and apply criteria to a person’s work and works of others in the arts.
9.3.9 C Apply systems of classification for interpreting works in the arts and forming a critical response.

9.4.9 A Evaluate an individual’s philosophical statement on a work in the arts and its relationship to one’s own life based on knowledge and experience.
9.4.9 B Describe and analyze the effects that works in the arts have on groups, individuals and the culture.

Goal: Students will create a 2D representation of their "special place”

Objectives:
Students will
• express what they know about the idea of "home" and what a home can be
• improve their ability to unify a composition
• interpret and identify emotions that they experience while in their special place
• create a 2D representation of their "special place”

Resource Materials/Visual Aides:
-One or more different examples from teacher's "home" using different media.
-Postcards, pictures, etc for inspiration/ examples of the use of the word "home"
-Allow students to explore website: http://soundsofthecity-scentofthesea.blogspot.com/

Materials:
-postcard, pictures, text, and/or other memorabilia provided by the students
-additional "extras" provided by teacher (tissue paper, magazines, wall paper, etc)
-glue
-tape
-markers
-paint
-paint brushes
-water cups
-construction paper

Teacher Preparation: Teacher should supply enough materials for each student. Supplies should be put out for students to take at will. Teacher should also make an example of the project applied to his/her own life.

Teaching
Introduction: "Close your eyes. Think of your favorite place in the whole world. How do you feel while you're there?"
Discuss further.
Show examples of artists’ work
Show examples of teacher's work
Answer questions

Directions:
1. Lay out "home" memorabilia
2. Brainstorm thumbnails of composition and consider materials
3. Be experimental. Once you choose your layout, attach your memorabilia
4. Continue by applying other materials such as paint, magazine clippings,
wallpaper, etc. to make your special place into a 2D environment. See teacher’s or Wegman’s examples for additional reference.
5. When finished, write evaluation of your work.
• Why did you use those images?
• What if any significance does the media have to your work?
• What would a stranger think that your composition communicates to others? Is that what you intended?

Critique/Evaluation/Assessment: Students will be evaluated based on adhearance to assignment guidelines.

Students will write a 2-3 paragraph explanation of their work and why they used the media, elements and composition that they chose.

Time Budget: 3 45-minute class periods.
Class 1
25 minutes- introduction, directions, and examples
15- time to brainstorm. make lists, drawing sketches of their favorite places, and listing emotions that these places evoke.

Class 2
5 minutes- review/discussion of materials
35 minutes- Studio time
5 minutes- clean up

Class 3
20 minutes- Studio time
5 minutes- clean up
10 minutes- voluntary discussion/exhibition

Vocabulary:
Collage- the combination of pieces of material to create a composition.
Context- A set of interrelated background conditions (e.g., social, economic, political) that influence and give meaning to the development and reception of thoughts, ideas or concepts and that define specific cultures and eras.
Elements- Core components that support the principles of the arts.
Multimedia- The combined use of media, such as movies, cd-roms, television, radio, print and the internet for entertainment and publicity.
Technique- Specific skills and details employed by an artist, craftsperson or performer in the production of works in the arts.

Safety Concerns: Unsupervised Internet usage. Be aware of websites that students are viewing during their research process.

References:
Blog site with Wegman’s work and students projects
Lenora Oppenheim- photography collages of places
More Wegman from the Sperone Westwater Gallery
Lauren Norcross’s Blog