Cincinnati Art Museum ....................................... Symbols in African Art

Grade Level:  4 - 6               .pdf of this page

Concept
The following lessons are designed to teach students about symbols in relation to their immediate community as well as in the African culture.  They will also learn how everyday objects can be viewed as symbols of other things.

Objectives

• Students will learn about he use of symbols in their everyday life.

• Students will learn about the use of symbols in African culture.

• Students will learn how everyday objects can be considered works of art.

• Students will identify symbols that they relate to.

Guiding Questions

What is a symbol?

What is the difference between a symbol and an object?

How are symbols used?

What symbols and traditions are important to your country?  To your school?  To you and your family?

National Standards
Social Studies
Technology
English Language Arts
Visual Arts

Suggested Materials

• Rhonda Mitchell, The Talking Cloth (Orchard Books, 2001).

• Symbols Web Activity
  http:  www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/samafricansa.html

• Various objects that have significance to teacher (favorite piece of jewelry, grandmother's quilt, etc.)

• Vocabulary List

Estimated Time for Completion (including videoconference)

4 Class Periods