Angela Christopher
Atoka Elementary
christopher.angela@gmail.com

Summary

An on going, project based lesson in which students will research the life and art of Henri Matisse. Students will use the Internet to collect facts and organize, synthesize and analyze information in a class wiki. Each lesson will result in a student product with the final lesson culminating in student created artwork. The artwork will reflect each student's personal understanding of the element or elements of Matisse’s artistic style. All data, writings and student products will be published in the class wiki “My Matisse.”

The entire Matisse Wiki Project is a scaffolded unit on Matisse. It includes introductory activities such as the video "Matisse Me to Pieces" and reading the book "Drawing with Scissors." Lessons 1 guides students through research, reorganization of facts, reflection and publishing of gathered knowledge. Lesson 2 encourages students to hunt for interesting artwork by Matisse and reflect on the elements and principals used to create the work. Students will publish the image in the wiki and write a descriptive statement defending the chosen image. In lesson 3, students reflect on the information gathered, analyze and synthesis the common threads to inform the creation of a new piece of art. Finally in lesson 4, students view the art of their peers and give feedback in a wiki discussion thread.


Grade level/ Content Area: 4-5, Art

Objectives: Students will:

Lesson 1: Matisse Research (2 -3, 40 minute classes)

• Use the Internet to locate important facts and interesting ‘tid-bits’ about the life of Henri Matisse
• Compare and contrast facts
• Categorize facts and information
• Write biographical and anecdotal information about Matisse on class wiki
• Participate in at least one online discussion and write statements to demonstrate and understanding of Matisse’s style: i.e. use of positive and negative shapes, collage, cut outs, bold color, contrasting color, organic shape, etc.

Lesson 2: Image search (1 class)

• Locate and upload one example of Matisse’s art including title, date & media
• Write 1-3 sentences supporting choice of image.

Lesson 3: Create a Matisse inspired artwork (2-3 classes)

• List mediums often found in Matisse’s work (paint, paper collage, etc)
• List subjects often found in Matisse’s art (women, flowers, fish, organic shapes, etc)
• Choose your favorite medium used by Matisse
• Select a similar subject to draw, paint, collage
• Create an original work of art in the style of Matisse
• Upload digital of student art to class wiki
• Type a title, medium used, artist’s first name, and grade

Lesson 4: Closing activity & critique (1-2 classes)

• Review wiki for errors and omissions
• View and consider the work of classmates, write comments & compliments in the discussion thread
• Write one journal entry: What did I do? What did I learn? What did I like? What would I change?